Put Off Procrastination

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“Come on In!”

Hospitality

13 Apr

We women prone to procrastinate can easily put off hosting people in our homes. Most reasons not to welcome others into the space we live in boil down to either the furnishings or the orderliness or the time it takes. In other words, we’re held back by less- than -House Beautiful d√©cor, lack of order, and the trouble we’d have to go to, like cooking. What joys we miss out on!

To help us walk free of the burden of not-good-enoughness and get in on the joy of sharing our homes, I’d like to share some stories of women who showed me what hospitality looks like. The first was my mother.

Salesmen often called on my dad at work – which often led to Mother’s getting a phone call late in the afternoon. “Carl is in town. How about if I bring him home for supper?” (That’s “dinner” for lots of you!)

Mother welcomed anybody any time. I recall occasions when she’d say, “Of course! Just tell him tonight is potluck. I’m cleaning out the fridge so it’ll be a little bit of this and a little bit of that.” She welcomed people into whatever we were already doing.

What fun nights sitting around the table eating leftovers! I remember smiling men reaching for that dab of peas in the cereal bowl or the cornbread on the saucer. There was lots of laughter. The salesmen who came home with my dad were glad to eat with a family instead of in a restaurant alone. They were glad to be with friends in their home instead of in a hotel room missing their own.

Those men knew they were welcome. Several became good friends and we looked forward to hearing “‘Uncle’ John is here.” Sometimes a trainee would come along with the older salesman and join the fun.

Another thing – my granddad thanked Mother for this. “It means more to your husband than you know.”

I’m grateful for my parents’ example. Mother enjoyed setting a beautiful table, but she wasn’t bound to that. She was more interested in the people at the table. If it was leftover night, she was happy to spend time with you over dibs and dabs heated in a pie pan.

Folks came away every time happy to have been there.

Who have you welcomed recently with whatever was in your fridge?

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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Shelley Daez says

    April 13, 2015 at 5:27 am

    “She was more interested in the people at the table.”

    Thanks for the wonderful reminder, Beth! A lot of times, I find myself too concerned about what others might think if I invited them over when our house was too messy or too cluttered for company. I wasn’t thinking of them. Instead, I focused on *me* and feared any possible judgment about me not being able to keep up with housework.

    Thanks for reminding us that we can actually relax because people care more for warm hospitality and meaningful connection rather than an immaculately cleaned and beautifully decorated house!

    Lastly, thanks for welcoming us and opening your home to us a couple of months ago! We felt blessed by the help and kindness you gave us. =)

    God bless you!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      April 21, 2015 at 2:22 am

      Thank you, Shelley! We had fun that day! You said it well – it is easy to focus on ourselves instead of others. We even enjoy things more when we focus on others and forget about ourselves.

      Reply
  2. Elena Schuenemeyer says

    April 14, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    I absolutely loved this!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      April 21, 2015 at 2:23 am

      Oh, I’m glad! Happy memories – and a good heritage.

      Reply

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

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Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

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2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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