FAITH BARISTA'S BLOG ANNIVERSARY IS HERE !
** LIFEGIVING BOOK GIVEAWAY **
To celebrate, I'm giving away a book that has been inspirational to me.
This faith-encouraging book by Tammy Maltby is about living a beautiful life.
Enter the Lifegiving Book Giveway At The End Of Today's Post !
* Congratulations to By Grace Alone Giveaway winner #114 - Jeri T.*
My style of hospitality, a la chocolate teddy grahams (your fave too?)
Today, I have a treat for us.
A special friend who has encouraged me in my faith journey is here to help celebrate the blog’s anniversary.
That’s right. Speaker, author, and media personality, Tammy Maltby from The Lifegiving Woman, is in the house as guest barista!
I first met Tammy through her faith-inspiring book Lifegiving: Discovering Secrets to a Beautiful Life.
I was feeling drained and discouraged. Why did God put all these passions in me, without the opportunity to fulfill them?
I was a thirty-something mom, touting a three-year-old and newborn boys, encountering a crisis of faith. Tammy’s book reminded me I already had what I needed to be lifegiving: my faith. She got me brainstorming.
How can I express God’s unique lifegiving ways in me — my personality, quirkiness, things I loved and things I didn’t — right where I’m at now?
One of them was writing. Another was hospitality.
Now, before you think I’m Miss Martha Stewart wanna-be, lemme stop and allow Tammy to share her encouragement on hospitality.
As you read her words, don’t just limit hospitality to food.
Hospitality to me also meant words and writing. It was one of the inspirations behind Faith Barista. I wanted to create a welcoming place where your journey of faith is valued and celebrated.
To you, hospitality can mean something else.
God’s lifegiving expression… Uniquely yours…
Okay. Enough talking by me.
Tammy, thank you for being here to serve up a special faith brew.
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“Finding Your Own Style of Hospitality”
by Tammy Maltby
My friend Lynn Brown is one of most hospitable women I know.
She entertains frequently, hosts Bible studies in her home, and is always inviting someone over for a snack. Her motto is “have a cookie, make a friend.” She and her husband often open their home to young women who need special nurturing. I’ve seen so many lives transformed through Lynn’s ministry of hospitality.
But it almost didn’t happen.
Intimidated
In fact, when I first met Lynn she was totally intimidated by the very idea of hospitality. Lynn knew I loved cooking, hosting dinners and having people over to our home. She couldn’t imagine herself doing anything remotely like that. The bottom line is she didn’t like to cook, she didn’t know how to cook and she quite simply she saw no reason why she should. She was a wife mother and worked at a demanding job often requiring her to travel. So she just assumed she was disqualified from hospitality. It just wasn’t her.
But a turning point for Lynn happened when I was having a particularly bad day.
My husband was out of town. My four little kids were underfoot. And I’d spent the entire morning trying to clean up from a major flood that happened in our home. I was a wreck—no makeup, dirty clothes, hair pulled back haphazardly. And I happened to run into Lynn in the alleyway between our houses.
In that moment, Lynn’s truly hospitable heart managed to reach past her insecurities to see my need.
She took one look at me and said, “Why don’t you and the kids come over for tuna-fish sandwiches?”
We did. In the midst of eating simple tuna sandwiches, we laughed, told stories and had a wonderful time. By the time that lunch was over I felt strengthened to tackle my home disasters once again. What an encouragement she was to me. And something clicked too in Lynn’s mind that day, or so she told me later.
She realized: “I can do this. I just need to do hospitality my own way…my own style. I need to be intentional about this.”
Uniquely Beautiful
That was just the beginning of Lynn’s uniquely beautiful ministry of hospitality almost 15 years ago. And you know what? Lynn still can’t cook. (She will even tell you that!) The cookies she shares are bought from the local Walmart. She’s found great sources of carry-out food for her dinners and Bible studies. And she feeds the young women she mentors the same way she feeds her family—with just “doctor it up dinners” and store bought salads and peach iced tea.
Lynn’s style of hospitality couldn’t be more different than mine. But she found her unique niche and it transformed her life and the lives of all the people she ministers to.
Because when it comes to practicing hospitality, yours doesn’t have to look anything like mine—or Lynn’s.
Your hospitality shouldn’t look like anyone else’s. Hospitality really means loving others with your life.
Everything You Are
Loving others with your life means —
• Your cracked dishes
• Your dramatic flair
• Your dinky apartment
• Your fabulous chili
• Your shyness and introversion
• Your soft spot for teenagers or senior citizens or singles or college students
• Your organizational challenges
• Your impossible schedule
• Your grubby kitchen floor
• Your Oriental rugs
• Your geriatric poodle and overly affectionate cats
• Your knack for decorating
• Your offbeat sense of humor
• Your tendency to run late
• Your perfectionist tendencies
• Your late paycheck
• Your unruly toddlers or sullen teens…or empty nest
Everything you are—your personality, your resources, your circumstances, your talents and spiritual gifts, even your particular failings and challenges—can be used by God to do his kingdom work of hospitality.
Remember hospitality is a message you give others about their value. It is not about impressing someone but rather providing comfort and care.
Practicing hospitality is learning, like my friend, to take advantage of your own particular style of serving and in doing so, enrich someone else’s life as well as your own.
~~~~~
How do you feel about hospitality?
Tammy loves company and she is here virtually, reading comments and replying to questions.
Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment or subscribe by email.
~~~~~
Psst… A Special Cake Recipe From Tammy
The Maltby Cake, customized for us. COFFEE & Chocolate!
Tammy is a gracious friend. She’s posted a delicious easy recipe: The Maltby Cake, customized for us! Click for the recipe.
Be sure to visit Tammy —
Her blog: The Lifegiving Woman
Her Books: Tammy’s newest book, The God Who Sees will be released Spring 2012. Her other titles include The Christmas Kitchen: A Gathering Place for Making Memories, Confessions of a Good Christian Girl, Lifegiving, A Discovery Journal to a Beautiful Life and Confessions of a Good Christian Guy.
Online: Via Facebook or Twitter.
Tammy Maltby is a speaker, author, Bible teacher, media personality, and Co-Creator of It’s a Good Life. Tammy is the mother of four grown children, two of whom are adopted internationally and a happy grandmother to Cohen. She lives in Colorado with her husband.
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** Lifegiving Book Giveaway **
Let’s continue to celebrate Faith Barist’a blog anniversary! In honor of the lifegiving community here, I’m giving away Lifegiving: Discovering the Secrets to a Beautiful Life to TWO (2) RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNERS.
To Enter:
1. Share a comment or blog post by Midnight Wed 8/17/11.
For Extra Entries:
2. Subscribe to Faith Barista and leave an extra comment letting me know.
3. Share this post on Facebook or Twitter (Click the “Share/Save” button below) and leave an extra comment letting me know.
*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Let’s encourage each other. Add your voice. Swap our stories.
This Thursday’s Topic 8/11: The gift of hospitality.
Share your post by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link” or just comment directly.
Next Thurday’s Topic 8/18: Small acts of faith.
Approach it any way you feel inspired!
Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!
Please place the “Faith Jam” Badge in your post and help build the Keep Fresh Fresh Community. Thanks!Grab the HTML Code For the Faith Jam Badge
It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
~~~~~
Want Free Updates of Faith Barista delivered to you hot & fresh? Subscribe now via email (click here) or RSS (click here).
~~~~~
135 Comments
“Hospitality means loving others with your life.” – Love that! It really gets to the heart of the matter. I am more like Lynn, so I can understand where she was coming from. But when I think of hospitality as loving others with my life, it seems much less intimidating. Thank you!
Courtney I loved your insights and blog! The greatest freedom I have found is letting go of perfection (which for me meant bondage with 4 little kids!) and letting God use my home and small efforts to love other people. To provide comfort and care for the small time they were in my home.
What a relief to finally understand (and embrace) that hospitality is simply loving others with your life! You go girl!
By the way I LOVE Sandy at the Relecutant Entertainer…she is fantastic…I have learned so much from her great blog!
I feel the same way, Courtney. This is why I love Costco. 😉 And yes, Sandy Coughlin has an awesome blog — http://reluctantentertainer.com/ — that’s warm, inspiring and welcoming!
Hospitality is like opening a door – and opening a heart. In the process, more hearts get opened.
Glynn loved reading your blog. “They make strangers to their blogs feel welcome. They leave encouraging comments. My life is richer because of them.” Isn’t that the truth! Oh the creatives ways we can give life to others. Thank you Glynn and Bonnie for doing this so beautifully with your lifegiving blogs!
I am going to ck out all the blogs for referred to by the way…so looking forward to it! Thank you Glynn.
Glynn, I love the visual imagery of hearts opening and blossoming, starting with just one heart first. Ours. 😉
I like the fact that she did take out for her guests. I can’t cook either. It was very encouraging.
Me too! In fact she has rubbed off on me so much that I ofen find myself using prepared food! TIP: I love Sam’s Club Lasagna….I just put it in my own pan and call it HOME BAKED!! Try it…it works!
But, Tammy, if you can bring yourself toleave it in the Sam’s Club pan it will help people like me realize that we can be hospitable too, instead of thinking, “Wow, that woman can sure cook. I could never do a meal like that.”
Thanks for the Lasagna tip!
GREAT point!
It was so encouraging to me too, Donna! Tammy – loved your Sam’s Club idea. I like buying Foster Farms cooked cubed chicken, throwing it in pre-made bags of salad (that already have dressing pack ready) and some grape tomatoes (no cutting). With a loaf of bread, lunch is ready and I can just enjoy the visiting.
I love how you open up hospitality to something other than having people in your home. That’s what I was thinking about today too. Like Glynn said, being hospitable is opening your heart (not just your oven!).
And I do love me some chocolate teddy grahams. 😉 A great food to take to the beach when I go.
“She opens herself up—through love—to embrace, to welcome. She emerges to walk on her own path, her own unique and generous journey into hospitality.
How have you seen wives be hospitable to their own husbands?
Is inviting relationship the same as being hospitable?”
YES! Lisa I LOVE these comments! So insightful. Yes I believe true hospitality is all about relationships. The core word of hospitality is hospice…a place of comfort healing and care. I can’t think of any better place to practice than in our marriages!
GREAT insight…and your pictures pretty darling too honey girl!
“being hospitable is opening your heart (not just your oven!)”
Lisa – you are da bomb! 🙂 Love this. It’s the way we feel having spent time w/someone who’s heart is welcoming. Even our spouses. Thank you for that.
I feel so inspired after reading this post today!!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us!!! I love that we can be so creative when it comes to discovering our unique style of hospitality!!
Thank you Charissa! Love these words…discover….unique….hospitality! Beautiful.
That’s what got me brainstorming too, Charissa! The creative juices start flowing.
What an awesome post! I’ve always struggled with the area of hospitality. I’ve desired to invite people into my home but felt inadequate for various reasons. Thank you for the inspiration to be courageous. 🙂
Kristine your blog is fantastic. You are an excellent writer. I love the life you share!
You are so very kind! Thanks 🙂
What a treat it would be just to hang out with you, Kristine. 🙂 So glad you’re a part of bringing hospitality with your words online and here, too!
Thanks Bonnie 🙂
I’ve never thought of being online as a form of hospitality but I guess it is.
I’ve shared this post on Twitter. 🙂
YIPPEE! Thank you Kristine!
My pleasure 🙂
Welcome, Tammy! I’m a twenty-three year old who returned home a year ago after graduating from colllege. I love entertaining, but I feel limited without having my own place. Thank you for helping me to see that being hospitable is about using the resources you have where you are. If our hearts are open to people, we have conquered the most important facet of hospitality….Thanks, Bonnie, for introducing us to wonderful people who challenge our faith. 🙂
Jennifer I love that you are even thinking about this!
There were many seasons in my life when hospitality did not happen in my home. I had to learn to see hospitality is something you can do nearly anywhere. When my house was not on option (which was often when I had 4 children 5 and under) I would get together with other moms at parks. We would all bring things to share (we would even swap recipes) and the kids loved it and the mom’s could actually relax.
I have another friend who brings treats to people in assisted living homes and takes time to listen to their stories…another friend that makes double entrees and shares one meal with a single working mom she knows. (AND DON’T YOU KNOW THIS IS GOLD TO THIS MAMA)…I have still another friend that makes her home a place kids can come to and feel safe after school and always has a freezer full of Popsicles! Still another man I know practices hospitality teaching a men’s bible study for addicts at a local coffee shop.
For years I have taught young women (such as yourself!) how to make meals for a month. They leave my home with about 25 meals ready to freeze and hearts full of conversation and connection.
ALL of these are so many more are simply acts of hospitality.
The greatest hurtle is just getting started and letting go of perfection.
God bless ya girl!
Thanks, Tammy! I Love these ideas. And thanks for guiding me in the right direction- I needed that. 🙂
Jennifer, I’m so glad we’re all connected. It’s a intimate party here! So glad you’re a part this place. 🙂
Me too, Bonnie!
Yes, it’s about offering what we have – and taking confidence that Jesus will use that, just like he did the few loaves and fishes. It’s not about looking sideways at what others are doing, focusing on our own limitations, or feeling intimidated that what we do isn’t quite ‘good enough’, but just going for it, with whatever God has gifted us with.
Angie I thought you might like this…
Hospitality…
It’s not “entertaining” . . . but providing a comfortable setting for people to enjoy and learn from one another.
Not showing off . . . but sharing life, embracing hospitality as a message you give other people about their value.
Not kitchen theatrics . . . but kitchen-based ministry, using food as a catalyst for community.
Not dinner parties and open houses . . . but mealtime communion and openhearted living.
Not house beautiful . . . but rejoicing in the beauty of shared meals and fellowship in a welcoming setting.
Not doing something unusual for “company,” but creating an everyday lifestyle that provides welcome to family, friends, strangers . . . and yourself.
And it’s not just for those with gorgeous homes, professional cooking skills, support staff on call, or special spiritual gifts. It’s the way God intended all of us to live . . . and what God calls, He enables!
Loving with your life, in other words, is always a matter of loving with your life right now, as you are right now. Each season may look different. But whatever season you’re in, you can find ways to make loving with your life uniquely yours.
God bless you girl!
Tammy! That is SO good! Speaks right to encouraging our hearts. Angi, “just going for it”… I love the sounds of that – it frees others around you to do the same.
I have shared on facebook and subscribe to your blog already. Love it!
Thank you Angi!
Yay!
Hospitality began as a way of trying to gain love and approval from my family. I couldn’t sew. I couldn’t knit. I couldn’t quilt. My value it seemed came from some sort of home maker’s craft and so I learned how to cook and bake. And I was good at it, though I did so for the wrong reasons, and now I enjoy it as a second passion and so does my husband. For what began as all the wrong reasons became something God uses for the right reasons to love on others.
Nikole: Thank you for sharing this!
I can totally relate.
I started cooking and learning about hospitality when my kids were young. I was at home full time and it seemed to solve the issue of feeding my kids 🙂 and also my desire to have more time with female friends. Then later in life I found myself cooking as a way to deal with stress!! I found making meals for families was not only fun and creative…I also became very proficient at it. God used all of those things to bring me into a ministry to encourage people to live hospitable lives….I love that about God…He uses everything for the good in our lives…and others too!
Amen! God is good, isn’t he?
“what began as all the wrong reasons became something God uses for the right reasons to love on others.” Now, THAT is lifegiving. YOU are lifegiving, Nikole. Thank you.
Thank YOU! Your posts are quite encouraging.
Now that’s what I call a “lifegiving” notion of hospitality! How encouraging. I don’t have little children or teens or even a husband, but I DO have a 4 cats and a whacko-confused Alzheimama who always wants to go home even though we are home and likes to argue that something is white when it’s clearly black. This fall, I’m planning to lead our Bible study in my home and boy-oh-boy, have I been nervous about it. You’re so right. I don’t need to have everything perfect and under control to practice hospitality. Thanks!
Diane GOOD FOR YOU GIRL!! Leading a bible study is about the most lifegiving hospitality can get! I hope you ck out my blog…I have lots of easy things to make.
BUT here is a tip I always used when I hosted studies in my home. ASK people to bring something…then TELL or EMAIL them a recipe! Women LOVED it. Women often said “I don’t know what to bring”…so I would send them an easy recipe and they were so relieved! I would encourage them to print out the recipe and give copies to all the women. This was a huge hit…and revealed me of food duty as I had other things to focus on. By the end of the study women had 12 new recipes they had tried and loved.
Your comment has encouraged a new blog post for me. “Hosting a women’s bible study with courage!”
God bless you Diane and your non perfect life!!! What a relief!
Diane – it’s so awesome you shared this – God bless your Bible Study and know we’re behind you here! (Tammy – what a great blog post idea!)
[…] friend, Bonnie, at The Faith Barista is hosting writer/speaker Tammy Maltby today for an interesting (and encouraging) look at the topic of […]
By the way, I tweeted this great post!
Thank you Diane!
Wow! I’ve always seen myself as gifted in other areas, but never hospitality!
With this new-to-me definition of hospitality, I’m seeing hospitality in a whole different light! Thank you!
YES!! You go Tricia…that is exactly the point. Your own flavor and style…it is not just HOW we do it…but WHY…what a relief to know our efforts no matter how small can fill a heart and encourage a soul.
Wow. Tricia, Tammy – you guys inspire me! 🙂
I am a subscriber to your blog!
Hey Miss Tricia…I hope you find them encouraging!
Thanks, Tricia!
The hospitality here in the Faith Jam community leaves me speechless and filled. The words in this post take hospitality to a another level of hearing God for me.
To love others with my life is such beauty.
Thank You Tammy & Bonnie.
I love the idea of the Faith Jam community Jeri! I think I need to can some jam and title it just that!! Good give away idea too! Thanks for your comment…and love for our most amazing friend Bonnie!
You are beauty. Keep pouring out the beauty of you – in words and in all you are, Jeri.
I love this! It changed my perspective:)
Dawn I LOVED reading your post on Hospitality!! Loved all the bible references and insights…it is so true…hospitality is a message we give someone about their value…it is not about impressing others (THANK GOODNESS!) it is providing comfort and care. That has always helped me let go of house beautiful and Martha Stewart!
Dawn, you’re blog posts are always given us room to be at ease, comfortable to share. Thank you for being a part of making this place a welcoming space with your words.
Thanks, Tammy! I feel as if I’ve gained some freedom from reading this morning. Hospitality, here I come! 🙂
Caitlin I love hearing that. I am all about freedom girl! Enjoy the journey!!
Blessings…tammy
You have redefined “hospitality” for me! I had almost given up on this idea since I figured it had everything to do with inviting people in and having my act together. Thanks for reopening this for me and repackaging it so I can see something new that God has for me!
Katie, that’s awesome! It totally opened my eyes to new possibilities too and it’s been a creative adventure!
Katie thank you for your note. I can not tell you how much it means to me that your take away is freedom!
Sometimes that greatest miracle in our lives is just a perspective change…a new way of thinking about something we knew to be true…but we think about it differently…and in doing so it changes so much about our lives. Press on my friend…I know you have a favor and style I would love!
Hey Bonnie, thanks for bringing in this guest post. Although I didn’t write a post to join in with the jam today, I’ve thought a lot on the nature of hospitality ever since I scored a zero out of 10 on one of those gifting quizzes some decade ago. This was confirmed shortly afterward when I had invited a load of folk over and the first guest promptly got to organizing the food and greeting guests while the second ran out to get ice (something I never use, so I never think about having it). I always thought I was bad at hospitality because I assumed it was all about having things properly planned and in order. I still don’t always have things properly planned or in order, but have been told I am hospitable. How could they think that? Then I realized that hospitality isn’t about having all the bits sorted, but rather simply using whatever gifts God gave me as an individual in a way that shows others that they are valued and loved. Thanks Tammy, for your story which encourages us all to be authentic as we share the love of Christ with the world around us.
Wow girl…what a life post!
Good for you…What a relief to know hospitality isn’t a “gift” for a chosen few…It is a choice and skill you learn and get more confident in as time moves on.
The very FACT that you are willing is the key…and others sense your willingness…I don’t know about you but I find a perfect “presentation” a bit unnerving…but comfort and care? Oh girl…bring it on! That is why people love to be in your presence…ice or no ice…it is your life that is the gift.
God bless you Dunlizzie!
Oh, Dunlizzie! I just love how your heart is so totally open. You ARE hospitable. I feel that way whenever I visit your blog. So, I can totally agree with those friends who also feel so welcomed around you. I couldn’t help but hear laughter and smiles — while guest one and two were shuffling in and out — a scene I wish I could be a part of of. I loved how Tammy put it — “people love to be in your presence .. ice or no ice..” 🙂 *you* are that gift. Thank you for sharing your jam post right *here*!
Thanks Tammy for your kind words and for your encouragement, Bonnie; I appreciate that. That party was some long time ago, but it’s funny how I still remember it so clearly and directly tied in so tightly to my idea of hospitality then. Fortunately living in Europe now, folk don’t typically use ice — I just have to remember to get the milk for the tea. I don’t usually have that either. SO very glad I’m in an apartment above the grocery store — HA!
This Post blessed me so much as I am trying to show more hospitality. The cake recipe is amazing and I thank you for sharing the authors website.
You will love the Maltby Cake Christina!! Easy and delicious. My website has many more easy recipes…tried and true ones…I think you might like them on your lifegiving journey! God bless you girl.
That cake does look amazing and esp. with the coffe and chocolate —- and cake mix. I’m nodding with you, Christine. Can’t wait to try it out and invite some friends over. 🙂
Email subscriber of yours
This post gave me a different perspective on hospitality:)
I enjoyed your post, Tammy! God has made each one of us special and unique! When we embrace that and focus on what He has placed us here to do…LOVE others to Him….our lives are much less complicated! When we take our eyes off of ourselves and what we perceive as our inadequacies and let go of the notion of perfection we can then see others through the eyes of Christ and allow the gifts God has given us to to flow out and bless them.
Thank you for sharing!
BTW….I can hardly wait to try The Maltby Cake….yummmmmie!
Have a beautiful day~
Kathleen
Oh I love the heart of this post Kathleen. Thank you! And yes you will love The Maltby Cake…make it once and it becomes yours! God bless all you put your hand to girl.
I love this! What an inspiring story! I’ve always admired my mom for her great gift of hospitality, and never felt like I had it (or at least like she does.) But I just love the idea that hospitality is just loving people with your life. I can do that! 🙂 I always want people to relax and be themselves around me, because I love to see and get to know the real person.
And Angela that is exactly the place to begin.
I bet your mama’s style fits her just perfectly and you can learn tons from women who have done it for years. In fact I have a dear friend that has taught me sooo much! Her name is Phyllis Stanley…she has been loving people with her life for about 55 years…and she give me a wonderful tip I loved…she told me she makes 4 dishes…if you come to her house the 5th time you get the 1st one over again! Wow…she is indeed a great cook…but her focus in not on the food…it is about the connection and care she gives others…Don’t you just love that?
God bless you dearest Angela!
“I just want people to relax… because I love to see and get to know the real person.” Sounds like hospitality to me, Angela! Love your heart!
That is just beautiful Angela. God has made you unique ( not like your mother ) and I am SURE He has gifted you in a unique way ! Just BE yourself and you will BE a blessing !
You go girl !
Barbara
Tammy, thank you for your lifegiving words! As an introverted person, this gives me much hope to not be intimidated by hospitality and explore ways I can love others with my life.
Perfect Irene!!! You are perfect for the call!
I find that naturally introverted people (and my oldest daughter is one) have the most amazing ability to really SEE people…their hearts, needs, desires and longings. They are great perceivers and care deeply for others. And oh how we long to really be seen.
For me…I love having big groups in my home…for my daughter Mackenzie she is a one on one kind of a girl…and I love her flavor. It is her…and ministers so deeply to others.
God bless you dear one!
This blog was such a gift to me today. I so enjoy Hospitality but have been feeling like I am not able to express it because of my circumstances. This showed me how to share what I can with what I have right where I am at. Thank you!
Lisa
Lisa, that is beautiful! God bless that longing in your heart as you share the gift of you, right where you are! 🙂
I am now subscribed to your blog…love it.
Lisa
Oh and I have tweeted about it too. I hope many come here for a daily dose of encouragement.
Lisa
Lisa thank you so much…I am so glad you found encouragement there! And thanks for the tweet too!
Thank you, Lisa!
I’m off to write my own hospitality post, but I had to stop and spill some love in here.
I used to be hospitable. Then came the a season of crisis. Not just sullen teen years but a season of chaos. I think I’m still recovering. But maybe that’s the key. I’m in recovery. 😉
I love the encouragement to find one’s own style and not compare to the way others open their hearts. We may not have the “gift,” but we’re all called to love the stranger–and the “strange.” 🙂
Thank you for this, Tammy.
And you, Bonnie, for having her. XOXO
Hey Sandy! That is so beautiful of you to share. I know that season of recovery first hand and it’s freeing to know that beauty we once saw in ourselves won’t be lost. God has our tender places nurtured and will touch others through those same places. I’m so encouraged each time you share a post in the jam. Thank you for opening up hospitality with your words online. XOXO
I think you’re right, Bonnie. It’s in those soft spots that the sweetness puddles.
You drip sweetness.
Post is up. 🙂
Sandra there really are no words to express how much I get this….and frankly I am very thankful you brought this up.
Years ago I wrote a book titled Confessions of a Good Christian Girl…the secrets women keep and the grace that saves them. I went from doing a nationally syndicated tv show, speaking to thousands of women and writing books….to barely managing to live. Let me write that again…barely managing to live. Life as I knew it came to a screeching halt. The thought of giving one more inch of anything was simply more than I could do…
But this is the very cool thing. All the years I had reached out to people…loved people…served people…brought a most amazing surprise. These people…the ones that I have served and love brought the most thunderous waters to my very dry and aching heart. I learned to let people serve me…it was a profound gift. I believe giving goes in all directions. Sometimes you are the one to serve and sometimes girl…you are the one that needs to receive. Learn the beauty in embracing both. They are the different…living…breathing colors of serving and healing. All in His time…such grace.
Tammy, I see a lot of broken chains lying around in this comment section. 🙂
Hospitality, to me, is making someone warm and comfortable with God’s love. I’ve practiced hospitality more often public or in the food pantry where I volunteer. It’s about smiles ,grace, and making that someone feel loved and wanted. It makes, I hope, that someone feel special to God.
Bev, that is beautiful. It is so moving to see Jesus offering hospitality through your hands at the food pantry. You’ve made your heart home for others and made them feel special with God’s love.
Oh Bev that’s it exactly. I love to picture Christ’s face when I serve…that way I can let go of the expectation that others will serve me back or be utterly grateful for my service! HA! I love what you are doing…wow…I know you bring life to so many…
My husband and I both have the spiritual gift of hospitality. But we have been the victims of C.H.A.O.S. (can’t have anybody over syndrome). But I stumbled upon a website called “flylady” and now I have a fairly good grip on keeping my house clean..Thank you, Jesus! So now, if someone drops by, I don’t have to be ashamed of my home. I love having people over for dinner. My husband and I love to cook. We can’t afford to take people out, so we have them over to our home. We have a comfortable, welcom
ing, unassuming atmosphere and people’s visits are always welcome. It’s amazing how having people over for dinner brings us into a more intimate relationship with others. We thank God for being able to entertain people. You never know when you might be entertaining angels!
Oh, Cheri! I just love C.H.A.O.S.! I never heard that – and it cracks me up. It is a common syndrome, for sure. 😉 I will have to check out flylady. Thanks for sharing that! And God bless you and your husband… cook on, friend!
Oh my gosh I love that!!! CHAOS! So cute…so true! Keep going girl..you are on the right track. Remember in some ways your manageable CHAOS will bring others peace. No perfect girl…house…kids…marriage or life here. But love…and lots of it…and oh my how that speaks comfort to this world. God bless you girl…
C.H.A.O.S.
Love it!
This was so good … such encouraging thoughts on hospitality! I loved this: “Remember hospitality is a message you give others about their value. It is not about impressing someone but rather providing comfort and care.”
Thank you!
Thanks for being here, Cherry! BTW, I love how you share hospitality over at your place online!
Thank you Cheryl. My dear friend Phyllis Stanley (who has been doing lifegiving hospitality for about 50 years!) shared that with me. I credit her totally. We all learn so much from one another…Blessings!
We each have a gift, one that’s measured out to us. Ad hospitality doesn’t have to be a formal dining room, dinner for 12 and crystal, silverware and fine china. It could just be a cup of coffee, and an ear to listen.
Good post, Tammy (and Bonnie)
What no, crystal?… Whew. Thanks, Glynn! 🙂
I have to admit I love crystal Glenn!
One of my favorite verses from the Bible…
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
What a great reminder as we think about and discuss the gift of hospitality today!!
Thanks for sharing, Terri!
Love your blog! It brings such joy to my life with each post and oh did this post hit home for me. Thank you for sharing Tammy’s message of lifegiving hospitality. I am reluctant to invite anyone to my house because of “insert any excuse.” I pray I can begin to be spontaneous and look beyond what I see as flaws and view them as blessings for me and others. May God bless you both richly!
Yay! Go for it, Michelle! I felt the same way. But it’s been so fun trying new things — without the pressure of how it ought to look. It’s been very creative, doing things my way. To my surprise, I found others being blessed by it, and me too! 🙂 I definitely like doing small and cozy.
I love who you are Bonnie…you are one amazing woman!! Give give me some one on one girl…
I am a subscriber to your blog :o)
This was so good to read for me. I loved cooking for my family and still cook meals and freeze them to distribute among my mother, two very busy daugthers and son and daughter in law as well as an elderly friend who doesn’t cook for herself. Funnily enough I didn’t see that as hospitality. In fact no one comes to visit me ( apart from my kids) and I live alone. Recently I invited a couple from church for dinner and kept apologising that ” I didn’t know how to do the hospitality thing” I was so nervous!! I made a couple of Polish dishes ( as the guy’s mother was Polish, his wife Australian ) and I figured they might enjoy something different. They did!! My son wrote something on my birthday card about me always putting others before myself and the love that shows through the meals and the giving. I loved Tammy’s comments about “organisationally challenged” ( one of my many faults! ) “tendency to run late” ( I’ve decided that I want my funeral to start fifteen minutes late!! ) ” my empty nest” etc. I also have an offbeat sense of humor and absolutely love getting down on the floor with my little grandkids or chasing them around the house or hiding in cupboards. So I guess I’ve discovered that I may have a “gift” of sorts. My new motto is “come to my house and I’ll make you a cup of tea or coffee and I’ll chat, listen whatever….. but don’t expect the perfect, spotless house. Take me as you find me and we’ll both be blessed! Does any of this make sense to anyone??
Barbara!! Good grief girl…YOU are the BOMB lifegiving woman!! Mercy…I hope you see what a gift you are to so many…and what life you bring. YOU reflect that which is IN YOU…I pray you allow others to love and serve you too…Bless you Barbara most amazing.
Just wanted to add. I started off by saying I used to love cooking for my family. My marriage broke up twenty years ago, my kids have all left home and at heart I was always a giver. People say I am very generous. Lately though I have been sick and can’t “do” the generous or the hospitable and wonder is that all there is? What happens when you are all “hospitabled out” Am I selfish in asking “Why isn’t someone hospitable to me?” Sorry about the negativity. I know that it is more a blessing to give than receive.
I was blessed the first week I was sick ( by two of my kids ) I had to ask for help. Maybe that’s it…. Does anyone relate ?
Thank you so very much Tammy. I guess I don’t see myself as “lifegiving” It is just what I do when I am well because of the love the Lord has given me for others….and I am a work in progress too…..as I have downers ( when I am weak) but I must remember that HIS strength is made perfect in my weakness.
Once again thanks for your encouragement…..I NEEDED IT TODAY
Bless you Tammy.
Barbara…please read what I wrote to Sandra…I believe this is for you too friend…
There really are no words to express how much I get this….and frankly I am very thankful you brought this up.
Years ago I wrote a book titled Confessions of a Good Christian Girl…the secrets women keep and the grace that saves them. I went from doing a nationally syndicated tv show, speaking to thousands of women and writing books….to barely managing to live. Let me write that again…barely managing to live. Life as I knew it came to a screeching halt. The thought of giving one more inch of anything was simply more than I could do…
But this is the very cool thing. All the years I had reached out to people…loved people…served people…brought a most amazing surprise. These people…the ones that I have served and love brought the most thunderous waters to my very dry and aching heart. I learned to let people serve me…it was a profound gift. I believe giving goes in all directions. Sometimes you are the one to serve and sometimes girl…you are the one that needs to receive. Learn the beauty in embracing both. They are the different…living…breathing colors of serving and healing. All in His time…such grace.
Thank you Tammy! Reading your response brought tears to my eyes. I felt SO BAD having selfish feelings because I am a giver at heart! I look forward to embracing the receiving too!
You are a blessing.
Thank you too to Bonnie for having you as her guest.
When I read your introduction, Bonnie, I realized that I really do feel welcomed when I spend some time reading Faith Barista. It’s a comforting aspect that goes deeper than the colors on the screen or the action of clicking the link that shows up in my inbox. Hospitality is something that can be so easily taken for granted or even go unnoticed in others; but it’s irreplaceable. This past year as I’ve been part of a serious Christian fellowship (at my college), I’ve gotten to experience true hospitality more than ever. It has really inspired the importance of this lost virtue in me. Great post!
I am finally understanding how this jom works. I do my hospitality at church helping in the fellowship hall after church each Sunday. Thank you for hosting this jam, for you are being an excellent hostess and showing hospitality here.
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How helpful! I can’t cook either (it’s a WELL-KNOWN fact for anyone who knows me at all! We usually laugh about it) and it was great to see that this shouldn’t hold me back. I don’t consider hospitality a strength of mine but have stepped out a bit and hosted two parties within the past year. Thanks for the encouragment!
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Thank you. I LOVE to give, serve, have people over but really stink at receiving. I need to work on that. The other challenge for me with hospitality is balancing it with my marriage! My husband really enjoys coming home to his family without “extras” at the house or me yelling, “Don’t put that there, the Smiths will be here in five minutes..” type stuff….Would love to read the book. If I don’t win I might need to see if the library has it!!
This was so great! We moved last fall, and I was determined that I would be more hospitable here. I’m doing better, but it’s still a struggle. I constantly worry about the look of my home – homeschooling family of 5 = constant chaos!!
I subscribe to your blog – LOVE IT, by the way!!
I love this quote: Remember hospitality is a message you give others about their value. It is not about impressing someone but rather providing comfort and care.
I forget this! Sometimes I cook or share because I enjoy doing so…which is an added benefit…but the ultimate goal is to bring comfort and care. What makes them comfortable? How much do they need you to listen? How can you encourage? Sometimes if we are good at hospitatlity we can get caught up in the preparations (I think of Mary while Martha sat at Jesus feet). In performing the cooking/decorating/organizing which may or may not be gifts we posess we shouldn’t lose ourselves in those things. Listening and being involved with those we are hostessing is where it is at…and I forget this sometimes.
Thank you very much for your insightful post!
Kristin
Thank you for this great post and opportunity! We are currently in a small studio having just sold our house and on the hunt for a new one. I could seriously use some tips on how to show sweet hospitality in these tight and cluttered quarters!
As an introvert (married to an extreme introvert), I have always struggled with having people over. I really worked at opening our home until a few years ago when we went into crisis mode due to marriage & finance issues. At that point I found that I barely had the strength to take care of our kids & my husband.
We all go through seasons and hopefully this one will pass (soon) and I will once again be able to give to others 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement!
P.S. I am subscribed via RSS Feed. I also just subscribed to Tammy’s blog 🙂
Hospitality is such a good trait every person should develop within. It is another way of giving care and accepting people in your house without thinking any return. Great post and I have fun reading your blg with Tammy. Thanks!
Faith is one of most important thing between life and living thing. Hospitality pay very important role in it.
[…] friend, Bonnie, at The Faith Barista is hosting writer/speaker Tammy Maltby today for an interesting (and encouraging) look at the topic of […]
[…] friend, Bonnie, at The Faith Barista is hosting writer/speaker Tammy Maltby today for an interesting (and encouraging) look at the topic of […]