In order to have a potroast, you need to have faith and the Holy Spirit

I went to the 10/10 connection at Grace North church again last Monday night.  As usual it was wonderful.  I think of 10/10 like getting new sparks plug or tune up.  Going to church and group and reading my bible keeps me moving obviously but going to 10/10 is a punch.

The theme last night was hospitality.  What was interesting was that the main point addressed the reasons why women don't always want to be hospitable.  There is such a laundry list:
1.  It's too much work to clean my house
2.  I don't know how to cook, what if the food is horrible?
3.  What if we have nothing to talk about?
4.  What if they think my home is too small or scoff at it?

Etc
Etc
Etc

There is a heart in hospitality though that comes from the focus being about other people and not about us.  Matt. 20:25-26 We are called to serve one another.  That's the commandment and hospitality is a form of that
Acts 2:46 It's not a hard task and typically so much simpler than we turn it into.
Acts 6:5 If hospitality is something that doesn't come naturally, then you better bring along faith and the Holy Spirit to make that pot roast because God is able to command everything we do and He will empower us.

For me, I don't struggle with not being able or desire to be hospitable.  I love it! I love it so much I get frustrated when people don't want to come over often enough and I get jealous when my friends go to other houses because I really want them to come to mine.  This is another part that popped up in the middle of the sermon and just slithered in and settled on my heart.  Oh goodness...

2 Corinthians 9:7 We are called to open our homes to all who would enter and do it cheerfully and without grumbling even if we're tired, or stressed, or don't have the super tasty food.  For me I'm called to stop grumbling and sinning just because my friends don't choose my house to be at. 

Hospitality Tips:
1.  Be prepared by planning time and food
2.  Clean the day before so everything isn't piled into one day.
3.  Consider you guest's children.  Do you have a basket of toys, coloring books, some extra bibs, peanut butter and jelly in case they don't like the pot roast?
4.  Allow your guests time to come and and breathe without crowding them.
5.  Have a pitcher of ice water with lemon and lime slices in the fridge so you are prepared with refreshments.
6.  Make the meal that works, don't try out that new recipe on your guests.  Too much stress...you want to enjoy your guests.
7.  If you have overnight guests, prepare a little basket with some water and possible forgotten items. 

Bottom line that really hit home for me:  If I see clearly, then my perception will be correct.  To do that I need to make my pot roast with faith and the Holy Spirit.

This is not mine...it's from bbcgoodfood.com