Is it important?

*Bear with me as I have been without internet and just now getting around to posting this. I have more posts coming! I hated not being able to blog !* 

As the Christmas Season has left us and I can breath a sigh of relief I wanted to take time to reflect on what is important. Starting with sharing. And we share, for me that’s in the way of entertaining. I love entertaining. I love to share my home with others. I love the details…..the silverware, the flower arrangement and so on. I often here from my friends, ‘It’s not important what you serve Michele, its the company that matters!’ and to an extent that is very true. But let me share with you why I think even the smallest details are important and do matter.

First when I say ‘important’ I do not mean that every meal must have fine silverware and lovely floral arrangements sat about. What I mean is the guest should leave feeling important, special and thought well of. The point of entertaining for Christians goes far reaching beyond supplying a meal. It is an extension of our faith in God. We are to love and serve God with a servants heart. And that often means serving God’s people in order for His love to show through. What better way to serve someone that letting them know that even the smallest of details were thought through for their visit! To know that they are special to you just as they are special to God.

No matter your budget, your event or your guests….you can make your guests feel welcomed and special. For instance my Mamaw would use to say, ‘Clean is free.’ It was her simple way of saying the nicest gift you can give a guest is a clean home in which to visit in. I believe it’s the single most important item a person can give another…..the gift of a clean clutter free home in which they feel comfortable in. Comfort is way over looked these days.

When I sit out to entertain, the first aspect is I make sure my home is comfortable (read that as my code for CLEAN.) and that my guests do not have to worry about moving things to sit or relax. The next item I think about is my budget and from there I get an idea if this will be a informal BBQ dinner or a simple meal served on china by candlelight. I remember my guests likes and dislikes when I am planning the food for an event. I make sure there is plenty of food as well, never know when your going to have an extra guest or a big appetite. Remember your leftovers ladies can make the day of someone who is home bound. Entertaining does not have to be expensive, make it last and use it all up. So we have covered the basics….clean home, a good menu and plenty of food. Now time to think about the details.

Every event can have details, no matter how informal. The details could mean something as a guests favorite dish or just the relaxed feeling you can give someone. Here are some details that I think about when I open up my home to others….

1. I light candles through out the house. It smells nice and the glow is very welcoming I think.

2. I think ahead…….making sure all serving pieces are accessible, that all things required are out. Nothing more confusing to a guest that having to ask a hostess for an item.

3. Variety of foods. Never knowing what dislikes, likes or allergies I may  have to contend with I make sure I offer variety in the meal as much as I can.

4. A pretty tablecloth, cloth napkins or even place cards for a sit down meal says that person is special. I had a guest say to me one time, ‘You didn’t have to make such a big deal.’ My response, ‘It wasn’t cause your worth it!’

5. A comfortable spot to relax in after a meal.

6. The most important detail of all…….a comfortable relaxed HOSTESS who is there and not fluttering in the kitchen the whole time. Your guests want your company, not your food. Make sure you do a lot of prep work so your time away in minimal. Pre-cooking saves me a lot of time. I often will take an entire day BEFORE my day of entertaining, if I am aware in advance, and get my silverware polished….prep work done and pre-cook anything I need to. Also get my flower arrangements done, as I think they always look better the second day anyways.

I believe that entertaining is another word for witnessing. You have a time where people can see the love you have for our Lord, a chance to see His grace & mercy in action through you. So even if it’s a quick cup of coffee or a full blown 7 course meal…..showing your love for God should be the first detail not overlooked.

God Bless,

Michele