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Breaking Bread Together Have you noticed how much intimate fellowship can be experienced over sharing a meal? There are not many things as special to me as opening my home to friends and family to share a meal that I have prepared especially for them. I thoroughly enjoy spending time planning a special menu based on what I think would most bless my guests; I love the shopping. I even love cleaning and decorating my home in preparation, as well as staying up late the night before preparing dishes and putting the finishing touches on my preparations. The gift of hospitality often goes unnoticed when we speak of the various spiritual gifts. Yet I think it is a very special and important gift. There are those that are gifted in knowing how to make people feel welcome and comfortable, like honored guests rather than impositions. Have you ever stayed with someone that let you know how busy they were, that they didn't have time to do anything for you so "make yourself at home and help yourself"? I had a sister in law like that...even when she didn't work outside the home my family and I always felt as though we were an imposition to her; it was difficult to relax and enjoy ourselves. Compare that to staying with someone who warmly welcomes you, looks to serve you by anticipating your needs, who puts aside the things they want to do in order to give you their undivided attention. Don't you feel welcome and relaxed in that environment...and doesn't that lead to warm feelings and fellowship? Most of us can identify people in our lives that have the gift of hospitality. I would venture to say from the blog posts that I have read, and the pictures from the recent BC bash that Terrie has this gift. I had friends that I met years ago when I lived in New Zealand that displayed the gift of hospitality. They were a missionary couple with little funds yet they treated you like royalty when you were in their home...little touches like fresh flowers, a welcome basket in your room, love and laughter shared over a cup of tea. I remember the husband telling me "It's all about fellowship, breaking bread together...if all you have is a loaf of bread you can share that and have fellowship over eating it together." I have remembered his words over the years. There were some lean years in the past when I couldn't entertain the way I do now. But I was still able to open my home and get people together for fun and fellowship. I remember one time having a grilling party...I provided condiments, drinks, homemade ice cream, side dishes and had people bring what they wanted to grill. I had twenty five people in my home and we had an amazing time. My entertaining is a little more lavish than that now...I love to open my home and entertain, whether a brunch for some of my lady friends, or a Christmas party...it doesn't matter. I love the sounds of laughter and friendly conversation that fill my home...that in turn fills my heart and I get true enjoyment from it. It has been 6 months since I have done any entertaining in my home and I was thinking recently that it was getting to be that time. And now an opportunity has presented itself...I am going to host a book signing party for a friend. I can't wait to begin the planning...and more than that I can't wait for the doorbell to start ringing.... He is no fool if he should choose to lose the things he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose.....Jim Elliott Deena  |
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very true.Good post
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