19 Aug Food & Fellowship
Food and fellowship are wildly important to women called to use hospitality as an offering.
We love to make every gathering an experience no matter how mundane. Whether it’s Sunday brunch with the kids or gatherings we may plan for colleagues or church friends. Everything has to be special with extra attention paid to the details. Everyone that dines with us should leave satisfied, contented, happy and blessed. We want to dote on our guests and allow them to take center stage. It is a way to express Christ’s love.
I have an affinity for beautiful china and I collect several different patterns and styles from the very traditional brands like Wedgewood, Spode and Royal Albert to the more whimsical Makenzie-Childs. Much to my husband’s chagrin, I have holiday china for Christmas, Easter and even limited edition Mad Hatter China for my tea parties!
Before my soiree’s I pick the china out of one of my china cabinets along with some matching silverware that sometimes needs to be polished. I plan out my seating arrangements ahead of time and decide what kind of flowers or centerpieces I may use.
Try to imagine how to best keep things moving from an entertainment standpoint. For larger parties, hire a local musician to play while people gather. And for intimate affairs, you can easily program Alexa or Spotify to loop music on a playlist that will begin at the first doorbell ring and last until coffee and dessert have been completed.
It’s especially important to give serious thought to what kinds of food your guests like. Making sure that any vegetarians or folks with special diets are sufficiently covered. People feel the care and it makes a lasting impression. Great entertaining is always about the guests and never about us the hostess. Remember to be the moderator for conversation. Keep it fun and uplifting. If someone veers off into something controversial or offensive to any of your guests politely steer it in another direction. Having people in our homes is never a time for anyone in particular to feel uncomfortable or on the spot.
Try inviting just one or two people and see how it goes. Maybe start with coffee and dessert. And you certainly don’t have to be a fanatic about dishes like me. Any time you take to make sure your guest’s experience is a good one will be noticed. Any hospitable effort in this day and time is sure to be appreciated.
When you show love and attention to people they see Christ in you. There is something sacred about the breaking of bread and the sharing of time with one another. It’s a great gateway to deeper conversations and eventual ministry at the most important times. You set the stage for people to know that you care when you go that extra mile and use your home, small, large, or in between to express your heart and your love for God’s people.