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Hindrances to Hospitality – Say “Yes” to God

Hospitality

22 May

We tend, former procrastinators, to create our own obstacles to hosting people in our homes.  We see difficulties the Lord doesn’t see and other people, frankly, would not care about.

But we care, so we procrastinate or simply refuse to open our homes to others.  What are some reasons? How can we disarm them?

  • “I need to be fancy.”  Nope.  Invite folks for a casual time together and keep it that way.  Folks appreciate it.
  • “Our house/couch/etc. is not nice enough.”  Please read the story of my friend here. The Lord ministered to ladies using exactly what she lacked.
  • “I don’t want to risk damage to certain things.”  Remove them from harm’s way.  Ask the Lord for His perspective.
  • “My house is too messy.”  Likely, people are fine with your mess.  But consider, have you formed a habit that keeps you from people and negatively affects your own family?  I prefer picked up and clean; but if I can’t have both, I choose picked up.  (More next week.)
  • “I’m an introvert.”  The Lord will help you stretch.  Set limits on your invitation.  “We’ll make it an early evening and stop by eight.”
  • “I don’t know what to talk about.”  Ask a friend or online for get-to-know -you questions.  Turn the spotlight on others.  Show interest.
  • “It’s overwhelming.”  Host a potluck or just invite for dessert.  Use paper goods.
  • “It’s hard with children.”  Children remove pretense; that’s an asset. We had a general for dinner.  One of our children touched his arm so he leaned down to listen.  Our cherub looked up and BURPED LOUDLY right in his face!  He turned to me, his face contorted.  “I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it!”  And he burst out laughing!
  • “We have a special needs person in our family that makes things awkward.”  This child of God is part of your life.  Sharing time with him or her could be life-affecting for your guests as they see you serve.
  • “I’m afraid I can’t do what they need.”  Someone answered us, “I’d love to have dinner with you.  I’m on a restricted diet.  I’ll come to your house if you’ll allow me to bring my own food.”  We were tension-free and had a great time.  Ask if your guest’s needs would be best met if they brought their own provisions.  Meet for a picnic if they can’t navigate your steps.
  • “They’ll judge me.”  The issue is not “their” opinion.  It’s what Bill Fawcett taught me:  Did you please your Heavenly Father?

God wants us to share our homes as a way of ministering to others and growing us.  He provides.  We can rest easy that what we have and what we are able to do by His grace is what He intends us to share.  We need not fret over not having “the right stuff.”  We already do, within and around us.

What objection to hosting can you turn over to God?

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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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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
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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."

Julia F.

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2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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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