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Hospitality? Oh, well… I’m a little “too busy” for all of that.
And there you have it. I am a “too busy” Mama of three that has somehow gotten my priorities out of whack! Are any of you out there too “busy” to breathe let alone think about really serving your family and others? Well I am! I’ll be straight up and honest about it. I take on too much. I can handle it all. I am Super Woman!
But who is losing out while I “save the world”??
Turns out it’s my Family and, even more importantly… me. And I say “more importantly” because, while I am there with my family physically, if I am “too busy” to serve my family on every other level (spiritually, emotionally) … well nothing else really matters, does it?
So there’s this fantastic gal named Edie over at Life{In}Grace. I have been reading her blog now for almost two years. And this simply amazing woman (who just over two years ago lost EVERYTHING, aside from her family, in a tragic house fire) has taught me a thing or two about “change” and to being open to what life and God has in store for us – heartbreak and all. In fact, Edie has such an amazing heart for God and for others that it’s almost impossible to describe unless you read her story and her blog, so I’ll just quit trying (because she would probably tell me to just “shoosh and get on with it!” anyway).
Needless to say, I have spent hours reading her posts - sometimes going back to the house fire story over and over.
How could she be so gracious?? How could she carry on? And it’s not that Edie’s heart wasn’t broken by what happened – she talks about all of that with such openness and candor that you feel like you are sitting on the porch next to her.
I’d like to think I could handle a tragedy of that magnitude with such grace too, but… could I? Really?
So a few days ago Edie published her first eBook – “31 Days to A Heart of Hospitality”. After reading Edie’s posts for so long, I immediately purchased and downloaded it. I mean, $5? That’s less than a cup of fancy coffee. It’s less than a fast food lunch anymore. I could skip an eyebrow wax and buy this eBook twice… You get my point.
And then I stayed up wayyyy past my bedtime reading it. Cover to cover. And I plan to read it many more times. I’ll print it and read it over and over until it’s dog eared and worn like a favorite book.
I don’t want to miss what happens on the sidelines. To not listen. To not give my soul “room to breathe”. To not serve my family with a “Heart of Hospitality”.
Edie’s book is PACKED with heartfelt wisdom and encouragement about being a gracious host, making room for others, the lost art of etiquette and just how much we all really NEED each other!
“Our modern conveniences have tricked us into thinking we can do this alone. But the deep ache in our hearts tells us another story.”
- “31 Days To A Heart Of Hospitality” – Edie Wadsworth
I encourage you to sign up for the giveaway below. And if you just can’t wait, go buy the eBook. This is a non-sponsored post and views are 100% my own (AKA I am promoting this because I think it’s pretty darn awesome). So after you sign up, go check out Edie’s blog at Life{in}Grace.
To add to the eBook giveaway, I am also including an AWESOME apron of your choice (up to $35) from FlirtyAprons.com!
Edie’s eBook includes some ahh-MAZING recipes (she is also called “The Soup Whisperer” - LOL) so this eBook and apron will go hand in hand!
xoxo,
Claire
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hospitality to me, means to ensure someone feels comfortable in your presence, in whatever place you are hosting that they feel like they are in their own home. In Hawaii – hospitality is a big thing that we learn at an early age – always welcoming people into our home and making them feel comfortable as if they were in their own home. What this entails for us? Making sure all common areas are clean, ample food is available and foods that they enjoy beyond other things. We also try to encourage them to help themselves to our refrigerators and pantries, show them where cups, etc. are so that they can help themselves to whatever they need to feel comfortable.
Due to tourism being our most profitable industry in Hawaii, we learn early on to help others, offering our favorite places to go to, must sees, directions, hints, tips & tricks, etc.
You are amazing, Kel!!! I cannot WAIT to meet you someday in Hawaii. Thanks so much for your sweet comment. xo, Claire
Hospitality to me was very important when I ran a Retreat Center for 13 years. You had a few minutes of a window when guests arrived to make them feel welcome by complimenting on their hair, clothes, shoes, purse whatever you noticed about them. To take the time to actually look at the person in front of you and make a comment about them personally was the catch. You never know what a person is feeling and from what situation they just encountered before you meet so a real smile and attention means the most. I love to help people feel that while they are in my presence all is well.
Can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
You are so welcome, Katie!! So nice to meet you in person and find out more about http://www.pensamientosfromparadise.com !
Hospitality is opening our home to share God’s love with those He sends through the door. Meeting their physical needs takes away the barriers to be able to meet their spiritual needs.
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