💖As a mom of a 2-year-old and 3-month-old I just finally took the plunge and invited a handful of church ladies and their young children over for lunch a couple weeks ago. I was slightly terrified. Our space is small! BUT … not only did I have a seat for everyone (pulled up the table bench and a kids table) but we had a great time with our kids playing around us. Not to mention that my 2-year-old won’t stop talking about the cute babies that sat around our table and misses them all ✨I’m hooked. ✨Our church is big on hospitality and since moving to this 900 sq foot condo I’ve been dreading having mamas & their children over for fear that our home is “too small” to host. Not true. I had 4 women over along with their 4 children. That’s a total of 11 people fed, cared for and in fellowship. My husband said in passing that the 11 of us looked so “cozy” around the table -in the best way and I agree! Decluttering these past few years has helped with me feeling prepared and organized and capable of a quick cleanup so that I can focus on the people but if you’re not there… I like the “stick some lipstick on the pig [stye]” analogy 😂 We had lots of hosting experience early in our marriage in our cluttered basement suite mostly consisting of our close friends from highschool & I really think that training helped me to relax and keep it simple. People just love that you opened up your home to them! If you are a young mama, like me, you might want to add an end time to the invitation so that you get some downtime and are able to accommodate baby nap time more smoothly (eg. 10:30am-1pm). It helped people to know when they were “outstaying their welcome” (I use this loosely…) Because as a sleep-deprived mama, there is a point where the non-parents don’t see how tired you are and won’t go home) 😅. Again, just try hosting with a ‘safe’ group of people that don’t expect too much and increase your welcome more and more until you pick up ground and feel more confident!
Excellent. Agree on all points. I too was intimidated by friends with bigger houses! But every one loves an invitation! Also ok to do coffee and cake and just visit
Welcome back! I've missed you. When we moved 20 mos ago to a senior community, I wasn't sure how to use the gift of hospitality we both have. In our big home we loved to feed a crowd but that wasn't possible here. I got my answer when I joined the community quilt guild. The guild meets twice a month, so I invited everyone to come to our apt. on the off weeks for a sew and chat. Five to a dozen of the women bring some handwork and spend a couple of hours just enjoying each other's company. Everyone loves it and I feel fulfilled
This video with the beautiful and powerful Bible passage (what a great voice you have), the "science" (need for involvement, relationship and support), and your example of using what you have, others bringing, sensitivity to food needs has really helped me re-consider what is possible. My friends have always been gracious and, if it is a meal, have always asked "what can I bring?" Why would it be different now, when I am less able?
THank you for this. Covid knocked the wind out of my hospitality. But after Covid, we were caregivers for our dog for almost 2 years, and our son moved to another city, so it has taken me awhile to feel like even trying again. This video was very encouraging about keeping it simple. That's what gets things done.
Thank you , im disabled and kind of embarassed that im medically retired and on benefits. My home is clean but full of secondhand furniture and isn't 'trendy'...its small and no dinning room either. I need to connect more at church, thnk you i will pray on this x🙏
I have had a lot of gatherings every week in my small and cluttered home, decorated with hand me downs. They were my best friends because they took me as I was. My guest cooked, I cleaned up, the kids had the living room for their stories and plays, aleut's had the kitchen table. Just make sure the there are seating options, ditch the cushions, liberate the sofa and chairs. If you dont have room for people to sit, it is not welcoming. I stopped visiting one of my friend because I had to make my way to a chair through the clutter on the floor and try to declutter a chair to sit. This friend had bedbugs and because she has so much clutter it made it challenging to get rid of them. She accidentally brought this problem to my home, it was a nightmare. I have been helping that friend for 20 years to declutter and move , I can't do it anymore and she hasn't changed her ways, she is still a shopaholic and a hoarder.
Wondering: I wonder if a lot of people, even those with beautiful homes feel they cannot host? I'm genuinely re-thinking how I can serve people with my ordinary home... Thank you.
Yes! We were made for fellowship and I think the enemy loves to make us think we can't do it, we end up isolated and alone and become low hanging fruit for him.
@@TheAtWhatCostBlog Well, here again you have said something to really pay attention to: ... we end up isolated ... alone... become low hanging fruit for [the enemy]. Sobering. Lord, help me have strength and also humble to ask for help. Amen. Bless you, MaryBeth.
Thank you, Mary Beth. You have given me the confidence I need (or maybe a push) to get back to hosting. I used to, but since I have become handicapped, I feel like I can’t keep my home as clean as I like and I find that I’m hesitant to invite people in.
We have a beautiful table that we set up a plastic table up next to it to get the space we need. No one cares. We pull our office chairs and kitchen stools out and its all fine. No one cares! No one cares about the food or snacks either, have them bring something too!
I think loneliness and anxiety go hand in hand sometimes. For me, the more lonely I feel the more anxious I feel. I’m glad to hear you’ve (and your family) has had some relief!💕
I am very poor on hospitality I wish I wern't so intimidated with inviting people over. We were having groups over and family reunions for swimming and cook out but we are much older now, in our 80's, and many health issues so it is just too exhausting. I do have happy memories, though.
Back in the day when out 1st 3 kiddos were young we used 2 open our home n have fellowship all the time! Nothing was fancy! We greatly Luved it! EVERYONE of All ages need fellowship! Now at 63 n 67 married 45 years, raised 5 kiddos we don't do that anymore. 🥺. I Luv anything that U share! Ur a sweetheart! Blessings 2 U n Ur sweet family! 💞✝️😘
I'm in a position at church where others go for coffee ☕ or shopping together and I never get asked. I feel like they only want to see me on Sundays and couldn't be bothered with me the rest of the week. . I do like our Pastor but I feel left out of fellowship
💖As a mom of a 2-year-old and 3-month-old I just finally took the plunge and invited a handful of church ladies and their young children over for lunch a couple weeks ago. I was slightly terrified. Our space is small! BUT … not only did I have a seat for everyone (pulled up the table bench and a kids table) but we had a great time with our kids playing around us. Not to mention that my 2-year-old won’t stop talking about the cute babies that sat around our table and misses them all ✨I’m hooked. ✨Our church is big on hospitality and since moving to this 900 sq foot condo I’ve been dreading having mamas & their children over for fear that our home is “too small” to host. Not true. I had 4 women over along with their 4 children. That’s a total of 11 people fed, cared for and in fellowship. My husband said in passing that the 11 of us looked so “cozy” around the table -in the best way and I agree! Decluttering these past few years has helped with me feeling prepared and organized and capable of a quick cleanup so that I can focus on the people but if you’re not there… I like the “stick some lipstick on the pig [stye]” analogy 😂 We had lots of hosting experience early in our marriage in our cluttered basement suite mostly consisting of our close friends from highschool & I really think that training helped me to relax and keep it simple. People just love that you opened up your home to them! If you are a young mama, like me, you might want to add an end time to the invitation so that you get some downtime and are able to accommodate baby nap time more smoothly (eg. 10:30am-1pm). It helped people to know when they were “outstaying their welcome” (I use this loosely…) Because as a sleep-deprived mama, there is a point where the non-parents don’t see how tired you are and won’t go home) 😅. Again, just try hosting with a ‘safe’ group of people that don’t expect too much and increase your welcome more and more until you pick up ground and feel more confident!
I love everything about this! 💕
Great story! If a young mama like you and an old crone like me can do this anyone can. Start small and keep it simple is key for me.
Love this 💕🙏
Excellent. Agree on all points. I too was intimidated by friends with bigger houses! But every one loves an invitation! Also ok to do coffee and cake and just visit
So true!
Hey so glad to see you back ..... along with 2.2 thousand others who have seen you already! Wow! 😀👍🏼💐💝
Thank you! 💕
Welcome back! I've missed you. When we moved 20 mos ago to a senior community, I wasn't sure how to use the gift of hospitality we both have. In our big home we loved to feed a crowd but that wasn't possible here. I got my answer when I joined the community quilt guild. The guild meets twice a month, so I invited everyone to come to our apt. on the off weeks for a sew and chat. Five to a dozen of the women bring some handwork and spend a couple of hours just enjoying each other's company. Everyone loves it and I feel fulfilled
That is wonderful! Hearing how you’ve been able to create community brings just makes my heart sing. 💕
Thanks so much for encouraging us, Marybeth. Hospitality is so important, but it can feel so vulnerable sometimes.
So true!
This video with the beautiful and powerful Bible passage (what a great voice you have), the "science" (need for involvement, relationship and support), and your example of using what you have, others bringing, sensitivity to food needs has really helped me re-consider what is possible. My friends have always been gracious and, if it is a meal, have always asked "what can I bring?" Why would it be different now, when I am less able?
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and your thoughtful comment!
Really missed you!
🥰 I’ve missed yall too!
Yay, welcome back to our online community! ❤
Yes! Thank you!
THank you for this. Covid knocked the wind out of my hospitality. But after Covid, we were caregivers for our dog for almost 2 years, and our son moved to another city, so it has taken me awhile to feel like even trying again. This video was very encouraging about keeping it simple. That's what gets things done.
That’s a whole lot going on, but community is so worth it! You can do this, one step at a time! 💕
this was great help and i am so happy to see you and thank you for the great help God Bless you and your family !
So glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you , im disabled and kind of embarassed that im medically retired and on benefits. My home is clean but full of secondhand furniture and isn't 'trendy'...its small and no dinning room either.
I need to connect more at church, thnk you i will pray on this x🙏
may God give you wisdom. Proverbs 2 :)
Welcome back!
I have had a lot of gatherings every week in my small and cluttered home, decorated with hand me downs. They were my best friends because they took me as I was. My guest cooked, I cleaned up, the kids had the living room for their stories and plays, aleut's had the kitchen table. Just make sure the there are seating options, ditch the cushions, liberate the sofa and chairs.
If you dont have room for people to sit, it is not welcoming. I stopped visiting one of my friend because I had to make my way to a chair through the clutter on the floor and try to declutter a chair to sit. This friend had bedbugs and because she has so much clutter it made it challenging to get rid of them. She accidentally brought this problem to my home, it was a nightmare. I have been helping that friend for 20 years to declutter and move , I can't do it anymore and she hasn't changed her ways, she is still a shopaholic and a hoarder.
I missed you!
I’ve missed y’all too!
Wondering: I wonder if a lot of people, even those with beautiful homes feel they cannot host? I'm genuinely re-thinking how I can serve people with my ordinary home... Thank you.
Yes! We were made for fellowship and I think the enemy loves to make us think we can't do it, we end up isolated and alone and become low hanging fruit for him.
@@TheAtWhatCostBlog Well, here again you have said something to really pay attention to: ... we end up isolated ... alone... become low hanging fruit for [the enemy]. Sobering. Lord, help me have strength and also humble to ask for help. Amen. Bless you, MaryBeth.
Thank you, Mary Beth. You have given me the confidence I need (or maybe a push) to get back to hosting. I used to, but since I have become handicapped, I feel like I can’t keep my home as clean as I like and I find that I’m hesitant to invite people in.
Do what you can when you and where you can. 💕
We have a beautiful table that we set up a plastic table up next to it to get the space we need. No one cares. We pull our office chairs and kitchen stools out and its all fine. No one cares! No one cares about the food or snacks either, have them bring something too!
That's a great idea!
Great video!
Love Gunner!😍
So happy to see a new video from you!
Thank you!
I love this! I used to worry so much I would make people anxious. I've lightened up alot and everyone is more happy at our house. Even me!
I think loneliness and anxiety go hand in hand sometimes. For me, the more lonely I feel the more anxious I feel. I’m glad to hear you’ve (and your family) has had some relief!💕
I am very poor on hospitality I wish I wern't so intimidated with inviting people over.
We were having groups over and family reunions for swimming and cook out but we are much older now, in our 80's, and many health issues so it is just too exhausting. I do have happy memories, though.
Yay, good to see you! Great video. Love this topic!
Yay, thank you!
Great to see you today, Mary Beth!!
So good to see you too!!! 💕
Back in the day when out 1st 3 kiddos were young we used 2 open our home n have fellowship all the time! Nothing was fancy! We greatly Luved it! EVERYONE of All ages need fellowship! Now at 63 n 67 married 45 years, raised 5 kiddos we don't do that anymore. 🥺. I Luv anything that U share! Ur a sweetheart! Blessings 2 U n Ur sweet family! 💞✝️😘
You have so much wisdom to share! And yes, we all need fellowship, we were built for it. 💕
Thank you for the confidence boost. Welcome back.
Thank you! 💕
Before I even watch this, first, I missed you! So glad to see you this morning 😊
Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for your sweet comment! 💕
I'm in a position at church where others go for coffee ☕ or shopping together and I never get asked. I feel like they only want to see me on Sundays and couldn't be bothered with me the rest of the week. . I do like our Pastor but I feel left out of fellowship
invite them :)