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Having A Gratitude Attitude During Down Times

Gratitude Attitude

Let’s have a gratitude attitude. Can we? Yes! How do I cultivate an attitude of gratitude even when things are not going so well? Or during what I call downtimes? We have had a lot of downtimes with Covid these last two years but there is still lots of room for gratitude.

Count Your Blessings Even When You Don’t Feel Grateful

I need to acknowledge the innumerable things I have to be grateful for each day. Count them, write them down or at least mention them out loud. It lifts my spirits when I confirm the goodness of God. My head knows God’s daily goodness to me but sometimes I may not feel so grateful. So remembering these blessings  in a tangible way makes me feel better.

Gratitude Attitude
Count Your Blessings

Read Your Bible

Keep this one routine. Read your Bible! If you think you don’t feel like it, deciding to read one verse and thinking about it will help. This one routine will help you stay on track and lead to additional benefits. I just pick a book of the Bible I haven’t read in a while and start working my way through it whether by one verse or several. When I complete a book of the Bible I write the month and year on the title page. I am always glad I did!

Read Good Books

Reading good books helps me insert something positive into my day. When  I may not be very motivated to do a lot whether it’s from sickness or the blues I can feed my mind on learning something beneficial. I love to read non-fiction and memoirs as they share the struggles and the best of times. This helps me find perspective in my day when I realize we all have them!

A couple of books I have read recently that have helped me during the gray days of winter, quarantine and illness are Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and Donald Miller’s Hero On a Mission. These are great life impacting books.

Gratitude Attitude
Read Good Books

Helping Others

Helping others is great therapy when I am feeling down or struggling with the blues. Get moving! Having a plan for the day instead of sitting helps me to adjust my attitude, I feel better when I am moving. If I can’t bring myself to do much or I am unable to do a lot physically I can give an elderly person, a shut-in, or an old friend a short call just to say hi. I guarantee you will feel better.

Examples of Gratitude

I have two great examples from ladies I have known. One was Eva Lee Smith. She was in her 90s and couldn’t get out much. One day I went to visit the hospital and the lady I was visiting was on the phone with Eva Lee. She couldn’t leave her home but she was checking on others and you know she brightened their day. The second lady, Mrs. Renfro was 86 when I met her at a yard sale. She told me a Bible verse that became one of my favorites, Nehemiah 8:10 “the joy of the Lord is my strength”. She also told me she helped little old ladies and that sure made me smile. What a joy she was, it was obvious she was enjoying life!

What are some things that keep us from having a gratitude attitude? Focusing on our problems. Forgetting to notice the little blessings. Thinking only of myself. Feeding my mind on the wrong things. Having no goals or plans for the day. All of these can steal our joy and keep us from having an attitude of gratitude. 

Have a beautiful day full of gratitude! It’s up to you today!

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A Few Things I Have Learned – 41 Years of Marriage

41 years of marriage! Wow! How could I possibly be married that long? Today is NOT my anniversary in case you are wondering.  But I have learned a few things after being married for 41 years though not nearly as much as I should have! Today I am going to share  just a few things I have learned in 41 years of marriage and who knows maybe another time I will share a few more.

A few things I have learned
August 12, 1980 We’ve only just begun!

Early Marriage

When I was first married and still a college student at Freed-Hardeman I met a lady. I so wish I had met her more than one time. Monda Alexander introduced me to an older lady who was visiting campus. Unfortunately, I cannot remember her name. She was so excited when she learned that I was a newlywed. As we sat in the booth at the Lion’s Pride, this sweet lady  shared some of her wisdom with me and I have never forgotten that meeting.

She told me that the huge love I felt for my husband would one day seem small compared to what it would grow to be. At the time I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it but I believed her.  I think of her every few years when I consider how much my love for my husband has grown.

The naive girl is long gone but my love for my husband has only grown more and more as the years pass.

A few things I have learned
Hawaii 1981

A Few Things I Have Learned  in 41 Years of Marriage

Love grows, and grows.

Having a family is a lot of work but gives many opportunities to grow and  multiply your love through family. Love for each other and each new addition. There is always more love to go around.

Commit to God and Pray

Commit to God. Marriage is a lot of work even under the best circumstances. Being committed to God and each other is key! Remember to pray for your marriage.

Sometimes there will be misunderstandings and that’s okay. Assume the best motives for each other.

Some seasons are hard but you will grow personally and as a couple through life’s ups and downs.

Don’t give up during the hard times. It will get better!

A few things I have learned
Hot Air Balloon Ride – Thanks Kids!
A few things I have learned
Crater Lake

Dates

Make time for each other. Sometimes monthly dates or sometimes weekly it depends on your season of life. Maybe just movie nights at home when your kids are little or adding a candle to the dinner table after the littles are down for the night.

First Baby?

During  the time we had the most teens at home we had weekly dates which turned into parenting meetings at times. We couldn’t go very far lest there be too much excitement at home. (there are stories). We would go to a little Mexican restaurant on the edge of town. (I was expecting my 10th child). One day the owner asked if this was our first baby. We laughed. After he was born we took the whole family to eat one day and they were a bit surprised or maybe shocked.

Listening and eye contact are important. These things say you are important to me. This applies to everyone not just spouses.

Building a great marriage takes work and dedication. It is worth it!

Study at being a better mate. You can only change you. It’s worth it! When you put in the effort to improve yourself surprising things happen.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. Sometimes there is just no other appropriate response. Laugh often! This is one of the big things I appreciate about my husband. He can always bring a smile and a laugh to even tough situations.

Sleep solves a lot of problems. Food doesn’t hurt either.

Overlook some things. One day when you are looking back you will realize some things were not as important as you may have thought at the time. Some not even worth mentioning.

Respect your mate.

Be considerate and kind. It always pays!

Show appreciation. You will notice it comes back to you.

Little things mean so much. A little Hershey’s chocolate bar or Diet Coke can go a long way in showing love or saying I’m sorry or thank you.

Make your mate feel special. Learn what speaks love to him. Learn his love language.

Keep getting to know your mate. Even after all these years I still learn new things about my husband all the time. He still surprises me.

Come grow old with me the best is yet to be.

A few things I have learned
Lawrence and Reda
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When the Magic Happens -Training Kids

When the Magic Happens

I think being in the kitchen with my kids and peeling potatoes or doing once a month cooking or just cooking dinner is one of my favorite times. I think that’s when the magic happens. Just doing everyday necessary things.

Praying for a New Baby

I remember having a conversation with 2 little boys who were praying for a new baby. I’m so glad they loved babies enough to ask God for one. On this occasion I reminded them that a new baby would mean more work for us all. And that is very true. At the time they eagerly agreed.

Sharing Life is When the Magic Happens

Working together with my kids was a joy and a necessity. When you have a large family there is more work than one mom or dad can do alone. That’s when the magic happens. Sharing the daily work was a way to share life with my kids, and a way for my kids to share their little hearts with me. It was a training ground and a joy. I wish I had treasured that time even more.

Quality Time

There is a lot of talk about quality time. It’s hard to plan for time to be quality. Sometimes that wonderful treasured talk happens right in the middle of the mundane normal moments of the day.

I spent a lot of time with my kids! Being able to stay at home with my kids is one of my life’s biggest blessings. I wish I could say that I was always as focused as I should have been.

My Childhood

How to work is one of the best things I learned from my parents. Work is a big part of what makes up life. We should learn to do it and enjoy it.

Growing up we all worked around the house and/or in the garden. I grew up cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, hoeing the garden, and helping with whatever was needed.

My parents both worked full time. How they did all the things they did I will never know. We had huge gardens, chickens, pigs, rabbits, cats and a dog. Sometimes we slaughtered our own pork and the relatives would come to help. My mom canned a lot of food every summer. She made our clothes, quilts, crocheted, and so much more! She still had time to help others too! And she took us to church 3 times a week. So I grew up with a good example of how to teach children to work.

Teaching Children to Work

When I grew up and married my husband we didn’t have the gardens of my childhood. But my kids did grow up helping from a very early age. Usually, before they were really able to be a true help they were eagerly asking to participate in the daily workload. This was a joy having my little ones around me and under my feet. I happen to love the chaos and I remember it with smiles.

When the magic happens
The tailor’s son measuring a little girl for a dress.

 

Child Sized Tools and Jobs

Sometimes, we purchased child size tools so the kids could really help. I remember purchasing a cute little wooden handled straw broom and dustpan for a little three year old boy. My mom also gave one of the boys a small weed eater because he wanted to do yard work. Our littles first chore was folding washcloths and of course picking up their toys.

On my first trip to Malawi https://redaredding.com/my-journey-to-malawi/ I saw how every member contributes. Little toddlers would mimic their siblings placing sticks on their heads.. Maybe only two sticks but they helped. Even young children could pick stones out of the garden spot, help fertilize the fields or carry babies on their backs.. Everyone contributes.

 

When the magic happens
Little Helper

Gaining Confidence and a Place to Belong

Not only is it useful to train your kids to help but it is also self esteem building. I think there are so many positive things about raising children who help out in the family. Children gain a confidence that is hard to come by in other settings. A connection, a place they belong, and a knowledge that they are a part of a unit, the family. Learning to work with others is a very valuable skill.  They also feel good when they can cook a dinner, learn to bake bread, sweep and mop the floor, comparison shop and so much more. Plus the reward of a job well done is a reward of its own.

When the magic happens
Isn’t she cute?

Do You Have a Couple of Kids I Can Hire?

Children who grow up working and helping out in the family are the best workers employers can hire. People would stop by my house and ask if they could hire my children to do various jobs. I even had a grocery store owner and a dry cleaner ask me to please let one of my sons work for him.

That’s When the Magic Happens!

I believe kids who grow up working are learning valuable skills and are happier people. The magic happens side by side.

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Malawi Journal – Day 17- Baby Blankets, No-Bake Cookies, and Shopping

Ladies’ Class

Today I taught ladies’ class, 13 ladies, 1 baby. I taught them Ten Lessons on Honor from Romans 12, one of my favorite chapters. Romans 12 has a lot to say about how to treat one another. There were a lot of discussions afterward. Especially, questions about repaying evil with good.

Some ladies mentioned they cannot read and how this is helping them to understand the scriptures as if they were reading them for themselves. It’s. humbling.

These sweet sisters were also concerned for their sisters who are not receiving this teaching or understanding these scriptures. We talked about our example and sharing with their sisters what they are learning.

No-Bake Cookies

After the class was over I gave them a no-bake cookie. They really like these. I told them I was teaching Wanangwa how to make them and they teased they were not sure they could trust her to teach them.

Baby Blankets and Hats

When all our discussions were over we took out the baby blankets and hats and discussed the best way we as a group could use these for God. It was decided that most of them should go to the local maternity clinic. We will make little cards with a scripture on them and the church name. Four ladies will go to distribute these to the new moms. During our discussion, I found out that at least one lady can crochet. I have seen yarn in several shops but so far not the needles needed. I am excited to try to get crochet needles for these ladies to crochet.

Malawi Journal
Baby packs
Malawi Journal
Blankets made by my mom and hats by the women at Woodson Chapel Church of Christ
Malawi Journal
Baby packs

We said our goodbyes and went home for lunch.  Wanangwa had a driving lesson and drove us home. The roads are not great but the rain has made them worse. Frequently, cattle are on the road.

Malawi Journal
Cattle in the Road
Malawi Journal
Muddy Roads
Malawi Journal
Mud

Shopping Day

After lunch, we went shopping in Mzimba. I am out of kwacha so I exchanged money. We had so much fun shopping together. Wanangwa ran into a friend of hers who wanted to know where I was from. When I answered Tombolombo there was an uproar of laughter.

How Much Beef?

I have been wanting to make chili for the family. In one of the shops, I found ground beef and told them I wanted to 2. I meant pounds but they thought kilograms. That was a lot of beef!! We had enough beef for four meals and that was being very generous with the meat.

Local Farmers

The local farmer area of the market is one of my favorites so we went there. I bought some beans to go in the chili. We also purchased some tomatoes, onions, and peppers from a sister. Then we found some fresh green peas and bought some of them too.  I was offered some things which look like bugs. They are roasted. They really wanted me to taste them. Wanangwa said they eat them on sandwiches and like them but she told me not to eat them.

Malawi Journal
Bugs?

On this shopping trip, I found some cool square containers for school supplies and a basket with handles which I put on my head and caused a lot of laughter.

Malawi Journal
My little basket

When we got home it was too late to cook the beans so I made a spicy meat sauce to go over rice and pumpkin for our dinner tonight. We also had bananas and fresh pineapple. Everyone liked it.

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Malawi Journal – Day 5 – Area Preachers and HIV Task Force

Meeting the Area Preachers 

9:00 is the official meeting time of most meetings. This morning we met with the area preachers and found out even more history of the church of Christ in this area as well as the work each man is doing.

The Start of the Tombolombo Church

In 1968 the Tombolombo Church of Christ was started with Mr. Chirwa, now deceased it’s first preacher. He helped train ten men in the Bible and preaching who went out into the surrounding area. This congregation has a great connection with the surrounding area and even into Zambia because of the gospel of Christ and Mr. Chirwa’s work. Many of these men are still living and preaching the word in area churches. These preachers rotate each Sunday to provide preaching and instruction to many churches. Much like circuit riding preachers in our history. There are now over 50 area churches as a result of their work. Churches are more localized in the villages because of the lack of transportation. They still go on foot but not as far if their is a church in the community.

Lawrence asked them if there was still. need for more workers and work to be done teaching the gospel and they answered with a resounding voice. They said this is what Tombolombo church has always been about.

Centrally Located

The Tombolombo church is centrally located at the heart of the community. This provides a great place to reach out to neighboring villages. Tombolombo Church is serving their community through a Famer’s cooperative, the Mtendere Bakery, a health clinic, and a nursery school.

Mzimba School of Preaching

After Mr. Chirwa passed away they realized the need for a preacher training school in their area so that people did not have to leave the country for more training. Hence, Mzimba School of Preaching was begun.

HIV Educational Task Force

In the afternoon we met with the task force for HIV which is hosted at the Consip Cooperative. This group was started by a local church. It is an inter-denominational group of young professionals, teachers, medical people, etc.

The goal is to educate youth about the cause and prevention of HIV as well as to provide resources for those already infected. Soccer, drama, and music are used as teaching tools to dispel myths and teach facts. They are allowed to travel all over the district and provide these educational programs. We were able to gift them with two soccer balls and a pump to use in their program because of some generous donors.

 

Malawi Journal
Gifted Soccer Balls
Malawi Journal
HIV Task Force Coach
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25 Ways You Can Teach Your Children to Serve Others

25 ways to teach your children to serve others. Why 25? I’m not sure just a good number I guess. I am sure the list could be even longer. But first I want to talk about why for just a few minutes.

Service begins at home.

Service should begin at home. Your children can make a very important contribution to the running of your home. Children can and should help out. Here are a few reasons. They gain valuable life skills and confidence when they know how to do basic jobs around the house. The world does not revolve around them. Why should someone else clean up all of their messes? Being part of the family team brings you all closer. Enjoy chatting while doing the dishes together. Set a timer for 10 minutes and have the whole team do a quick evening pick up. This will be a time of joy and fun as you serve one another.

Serving outside of your home.

Why serve outside of your home? We live in a self-focused world. Do you know how important it is to see the needs of others and to learn to help? There are a lot of blind people in the world. I am not talking about physical blindness. Children come into the world with no concern for others. Service is something you can nurture in your children by helping them to see and supply the needs of others. You can make a big difference in the world by serving one person. It is rewarding for those who serve as well as those who are served.

Here is my list of 25+ ways you can teach your children to serve others. 

  1. Visit an elderly person and sit on their porch and ask them to tell you about some aspect of their life. Pick up sticks or rake their leaves.
  2. Color a picture and send it to someone in the nursing home or hospital.
  3. Do you work on jigsaw puzzles? Pass it along after you work it. I recently left one of mine with homemade cookies at the desk of a nursing home for a friend of mine. Visits are not allowed. He called me later and said he hadn’t done one in years and really enjoyed it. He has mentioned it since then too.
  4. Pick up trash in your neighborhood. This will help them also be conscious of littering.
  5. Collect all your coins for a set period of time and donate it to a good cause like hhi.org/walk4water/smyrna-tn-2020. Ask others to share with you. You will be surprised at how many coins you can gather in a short time and make a lifelong gift of clean water. The gift of life!
  6. If you sew or have a teenage girl. you might want to help her make sanitary pads for girls in other countries. Many girls must miss a week of school every month. These girls may only have mud or grass to use. If you need a pattern check here:
  7. Do you have an elderly neighbor? Maybe you take their trash can to the street for them every week or once.
  8. Let your children help you make dinner for someone who is ill, had a new baby, or surgery. Even if you have to door drop during this season it will create a lasting memory of serving someone else.
  9. Have an elderly friend who loves to sing? Take a few people and have a short sing along with them. Ask their favorite songs. What song was a new song for them when they were younger?
  10. Do something nice for a single mom or maybe volunteer to babysit one afternoon while she has an afternoon off. Make this a family event.
  11. Volunteer at a workday. Widows, camps, spring building clean up or community clean up projects.  Make sure they are involved with many age groups. They learn so much this way.
  12. Every year there are floods, tornados, tropical storms, or other disasters and you can participate in some way in the recovery efforts. Cooking, donating, actual clean up, etc.
  13. Attend a Habitat for Humanity presentation. You will find several ways to serve. If your kids are too young they can make sandwiches to feed the workers.
  14. Make hygiene bags for the homeless, battered women’s shelters, etc.
  15. Pack snack bags and/or small throws and keep in your car to give to the homeless.
  16. Take a flat of water with you and give out on a hot day. Laundromats are good places.
  17. Encourage them to be the one who meets the new people and visitors at church. Maybe invite them over for a play date and share beforehand how they might feel moving to a new area or visiting a church for the first time.
  18. When allowed visit the nursing homes. Just your presence brings so much joy.
  19. Decorate a door. One year we chose one person in the nursing home and decorated their door for different holidays.  Spread happiness.
  20. Have a free yard sale.
  21. Take your children to be the first to meet the new neighbors with a plate of cookies perhaps.
  22. Hug patrol. Many elderly people miss physical touch. Especially widows. If you are concerned about hugs then encourage your children to pick out one older person at church each Sunday and go speak to them or hug them before they sit down. See my article about a single hug.
  23. Serve dinner at the local homeless shelter.
  24. Take goodies and thank you notes to the local Police Station or Firehouse.
  25. Collect throws and blankets from your stash and share them with those in need. I put these in a ziplock bag and give it to my favorite police officer who keeps them on hand to give out as needed. Maybe have your child write a short note or small picture on an index card to include.
  26. Make Magi boxes.
  27. Write cards to the sick in your congregation or visitors, etc.
  28. Pick up the phone and call someone who might be lonely.
  29. Healing Hands International is in my area and has volunteer opportunities. Many nonprofits are looking for volunteers.
  30. Read books to a daycare or school classroom. Dr. Seuss’s day is a good day to do so.
  31. A few years ago I heard Earl Lavender say, “Hospitality can change the world”. Make it a practice. Remember to keep it simple so that you can all enjoy it.
  32. Make care packages for the military or a college student.
  33. Go on a mission trip with your teens.
  34. Make a game of doing good deeds in secret.

A few more than 25. I hope this list will be a spark. Please comment below with your favorite ideas and experiences. Let’s spread some sunshine!

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Making A Cotton Clothesline Basket

Cotton clothesline basket by Lee
Cotton clothesline basket by Lee

Have you ever heard of a cotton clothesline basket? A friend of mine, Lee gifted me with this lovely cotton basket! I was thrilled and couldn’t imagine how to make such a thing. I was very happy when Lee agreed to teach me how! She’s pretty nice like that and I am not the first pupil she has had.

Basketmaking Lessons

On Monday Lee invited me to lunch at her house. It is always a treat to spend time with her and this was no exception. Her husband has built her a sweet little bright room just off from her kitchen. A sweet little sign hangs in this bright cheery room. “She Shed”. We enjoyed our lunch there. Her house is set in trees and has a beautiful canopy all around. It was a lovely and peaceful setting.

Finding Cotton Clothesline

She told me to bring a bundle of cotton clothesline. This proved harder than I imagined. The polyester clothesline is more readily available in my community than the cotton. I found two places at last. Our local Kroger’s has it on the automotive aisle! Home Depot also carries it in our Antioch, Tn store on aisle 12.

Making the Basket

I was very slow at first well actually the whole time. The process was easy to understand. There were some thread problems and a few missed spots along the way. But I got the hang of it and I think maybe I will be a little bit faster and a little better at it next time.

I wanted to attempt to make an all-cotton one and see if it might work as a proofing basket for my sourdough bread. Soon I shall know the answer if I can bear to use it for my bread.

I love the natural look of the rope. My project turned out great! I can’t wait to make another one.

Here is a picture of my finished project. Let me know what you think!My first cotton clothesline basket

My first cotton clothesline basket

Reda with finished basket
Reda with the finished basket
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Being Responsible and Making Decisions

Being responsible and making decisions is hard work! Sometimes it is just easier to let someone else tell you what to do. Sometimes we ignore the fact that we at some point must make our own decisions.

It’s also easier to place blame on others when we make bad choices. This can apply to many areas of your life. When you make a decision and it doesn’t go well own up to the consequences of your choice. What good will it do to blame someone else for the troubles in your life anyway? At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your life. Make the next right choice. It’s on you!

High School

When I was 14 or 15 years old our guidance counselor talked with our class about making decisions about what we wanted to study. We had to choose whether we were going to do college prep or general studies. She probably didn’t hold out much hope for me as a future college student. I was a troubled teen, I was just an ok student, and no one in my family had ever graduated from college.

But a decision had to be made. I evaluated a few things and calculated the schedules and figured out that I could get out of high school one year early! I decided to do the college prep in 3 years and I did it! This was not because I was a great student or loved school but because I wanted out! This single decision gave me my path for the next three years.

College

Do I go to college or not? You have probably heard that story before! I explored the options. I wasn’t a great student so there were some limitations. In a strange twist of events and mail delays, my acceptance to my top choice school arrived the day after I chose another school. My choice proved perfect!

Work

Maybe you are one of those people who always knew what you wanted to do. My ideas changed a lot throughout my childhood years. I wanted to be the President of the United States, a mom, a teacher, a writer, etc. According to Career Statistics, you will likely change jobs 5-7 times during your working years. So you have the opportunity to explore any number of jobs.

Being responsible and making decisions
Make a Pros and Cons list

Marriage

To marry or not? Who to marry? Now that is a big decision to make. Only you can truly decide.  Do you have a list of qualities this “perfect man” would possess? How about evaluating what kind of person you should be to be compatible with this “perfect soul” you are going to marry? Hard life decisions are best made with your eyes open and the facts on the table.

Children

Will you have children? Childbirth or adoption? Is it easy to make decisions? No! What kind of birth? Will your baby be born at home, birth center, or the hospital?

Stay at home mom or working mom?

As a mom, one of the hardest choices you will have to make is whether to be a stay at home mom or a working mom. My husband and I discussed this before we got married and by doing so we avoided a lot of stress.

You will always have to make choices.

There are so many choices and decisions you have to make every day. This will not stop until the day you die. I’ve made some good decisions and some bad decisions in my life and do NOT consider myself an expert! However, I would like to share some suggestions that have helped me.

Suggestions

Having a guide has made all the difference in my life. I strive to build my life on Christian principles, on the Bible. So I already know that I am not going to steal, cheat, kill, etc. This keeps things simple.

Read more books! They give you so many perspectives on life! Study the pros and cons of different choices.

Study people, especially yourself. Be emotionally wise.

Spend time with people who have unique qualities that you would like to have or you would like for your children to emulate. Pay attention to character. Surround yourself with good people.

Find a mentor.

There are so many other things to be said about being responsible and making decisions, but that’s it for today! Thank you for making the choice to read my blog today! I appreciate that!

 

 

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Hospitality Can Change the World Yours and Mine

Hospitality can change the world yours and mine. What is hospitality? Webster’s Dictionary definition is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Acts 16:15  says, “Come to my house and stay.”

When you hear the words, “come to my house”, how does that make you feel? Kathy McWhorter Kendall in her book A Chosen Few, asks the question. Appreciated? Honored? I think one of the keys to being more hospitable is understanding how it makes you feel but turning it around and focusing on the other person and how they feel.

People want to know that you are interested in them. I crave connection. Judging from my experience I am not alone. The people I meet on my doorstep passing by or buying things at the market prove this to be so. I’ve had hugs in the grocery store and people exchange phone numbers too.

Earl Lavender spoke at Smyrna Church of Christ a couple of years ago. Brother Lavender gave several examples of hospitality. He shared the impact it had on people’s lives. And he said, “Hospitality can change the world.” You know what? I happen to agree. Hospitality can change the world yours and mine!

Romans 12:13 says “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The scriptures show many examples of hospitality. Yes, it was a very necessary part of travel during Biblical times when motels and guesthouses were in short supply. However, we see repeated examples in the scriptures of churches meeting in homes and mealtimes being shared. The early Christians met in homes daily. What an amazing way to share the Christian faith.

Life is meant to be shared. God said so in Genesis 2:18: The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. ‘ And God is always right. God also put us in the body of Christ, the Church for a reason. We need each other.

This week I witnessed a beautiful display of the body of Christ in action. A friend from church was moving from Tennessee to Florida and had asked for a bit of help loading the truck. We arrived a few minutes late because of a huge downpour and there were hardly any parking spots left!

1 Peter 4:9 says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

I want to share a few excuses people give for not practicing hospitality. Time is probably the first, big enough house, clean enough house, not a good hostess or cook, or not enough money. I will admit relationships take time. Hospitality will not always be convenient.

You can spend time with others without spending much money. Tea time is cheap. A glass of ice water or tea and a nice visit can fill the heart with encouragement.

Some of the most hospitable and loving people I know are not great housekeepers. That’s ok. They are great at loving people to Jesus.

Do you have enough time to eat? Learn to practice hospitality around your daily rituals and that will make it easier. We all have to eat. They will remember how you made them feel not necessarily what you cooked. I used to spend all day cooking for dinner guests. This is unnecessary. A simple casserole or pot of soup will be sufficient.

I try to include people in my regular activities. Sit and visit with a friend while the kids play in the yard or while you fold laundry. Visit with them in the kitchen while you bake, cook dinner, or do the dishes together. Canning or prepping food for freezer cooking can become a great time to chat and enjoy the everyday things of life together.

Maybe you don’t have much time at home. Do you work two jobs? Maybe you could invite someone to eat some Chick-fil-A during your lunch break. How about telling them to come for a simple Crock-Pot supper? Maybe you can give someone a friendly call using Bluetooth on your commute from work. I am sure you can come up with some great opportunities when you start looking!

Practicing hospitality at church meetings.

How can you practice hospitality at church? Make a point to greet visitors or someone you have not met. Just say hi! Wave and smile at people. Ask someone to sit with you. Invite someone home for lunch after church even if it is just for sandwiches. Or to share a meal at a restaurant. Remember people’s names. You don’t have to be an extrovert to be hospitable.

Recently, I shared my experience from years ago of visiting a large Texas church with my 7 children in tow. They were wearing their cute matching shirts and looking adorable if I do say so myself. That day, not a soul spoke to us! Someone did hand us a bulletin coming in the door. During the meet and greet time I went and introduced myself to the closest person to me. I’m not the only one. Many have experienced this sort of thing. Don’t let this happen to visitors or members at your church.

My friend Donna has a strong opinion about this, if someone walks into your church building they need a greeting. They may be a traveling Christian –  they are family, welcome them! They may be a seeker looking for spiritual guidance or connection, they certainly need a greeting! There is no excuse to leave strangers standing alone without a friendly welcome!

Enjoy hospitality.

Be relaxed. Keep things simple. Plan for a simple activity like a simple board game, or just chat while the kids play, include people in your family devotional or a sing-along. Make your home a comfortable place to visit. A haven from the world for friends and family.

Some of my greatest memories are from spending time in other’s homes and having others spend time in our home. Conversations around the table. Memories of our home filled with laughter, food, and music flood my mind. What a beautiful life.

Hospitality can change the world yours and mine.

You can find an article here on sharing hospitality during a pandemic.

Hospitality can be a simple casserole
A simple casserole
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Why I Memorize the Scriptures

From my earliest childhood, I knew the scriptures were important. As I sat in church listening to the Bible being taught I knew I was to sit quietly. My memories were not really of the lessons themselves, here it is, I thought I would become an angel when I died. Where I got this idea I have no idea. I was taught the usual Bible stories and enjoyed it all immensely.

High School

When I was a student at Mortimer Jordan High School in the 1970’s we had a POW speak to our assembly. I was very impressed with his story. I really wish I could remember his name.  Even though I cannot remember his name part of his story has stayed with me for over 40 years.

This POW shared some of the experiences he had while being held captive. One of the things he and his fellow prisoners did to help sustain them was to put together a Bible. Each man shared what scriptures he could remember and they wrote them on toilet paper. They compiled their own little Bible! This impressed me with a desire to commit scripture to memory lest I find myself in a similar situation with no Bible.

College

While a student at Alabama Christian and later Freed-Hardeman University each Bible class gave us memory verses.  I enjoyed this activity. One teacher emphasized in his life the importance of memorizing God’s word. It was said that he could quote whole books of the Bible. I was impressed. I wanted to have chapters and books memorized.

During my early years as a young bride, I would put a scripture beside my bathroom mirror to help me memorize the Word. It was mounted on a paper that said a scripture a day helps keep Satan away. I memorized a lot of verses this way.

Books

In the book Ordering Your Private World Gordon MacDonald shares the story of Howard Rutledge, a young man who is captured during wartime. As a civilian, this young man never had time for spiritual things. He soon realized he did not have the spiritual resources he needed to sustain him during his imprisonment.

Being imprisoned he said his hunger for the spiritual soon outdid his hunger for food. He said, “It took prison to show me how empty my life is without God.” By the time he was released, he realized his need to grow in his relationship with God. You can read his story in the book In The Presence of Mine Enemies. This story really stayed with me and gave me a greater desire to memorize the word of God.

Resources

We lived in Logan, Ohio in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Barbara Dunn, a friend, and Bible teacher gave me a copy of the Bible ABC’s. My children and I memorized these during that time. They are still with me. Through the years I have found several versions of these. Check out these two :

A B C BIBLE VERSES H

 icanteachmychild.com/abc-printable-scripture-cards/

Conclusion

I memorize scripture because God’s word is the Word of Life. I have hidden your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you. Why not memorize God’s word for yourself today!

Please share in the comment section what things you have used to commit the Word of God to memory.