Weekly Magazine | Open Doors, Open Hearts —Finding Joy in Hospitality
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Dear Friends,
When we hear the word hospitality, it’s easy to picture a spotless kitchen, a beautiful table, or the smell of something wonderful baking in the oven. But true hospitality begins long before the guests arrive. It starts in the quiet places of our hearts, with a willingness to make room for others, even when life feels a little messy.
In these last weeks before Christmas, we thought it might be helpful to take a look at what means to create space for people—not just in our homes, but in our lives. Through stories that remind us that hospitality isn’t about perfection but presence, we’ll explore how God uses even the smallest acts of welcome to draw hearts closer to Him. Whether that’s inviting a friend for coffee, serving a simple meal, or slowing down long enough to notice who needs encouragement, every open door becomes a doorway to grace.
So come as you are, friend. Let’s find joy in the Christlike act of making room—for God, for others, and for the ones we love most.
Encouraging you in God’s truth,
“I’m Not Ready for Company!” | Arlene Pellicane
Arlene reminds us that the true warmth of a home isn’t found in spotless blinds or perfectly folded linens—but in peace, presence, and love. Discover how to shift your focus from tidy spaces to a tender spirit.
Let God Use Your Table | Abby Turner Kuykendall
Hospitality doesn’t require a perfect table or a Pinterest-worthy menu—it begins with obedience and an open door. Abby shares how reclaiming her table deepened her faith and community.
The Ministry of Hospitality | Jill Briscoe
Jill offers timeless wisdom about learning to be available to God’s “blessed interruptions.” Even when it’s inconvenient, God uses our open homes (and hearts) to heal and teach us in unexpected ways.
Also:
I’m Not Ready for Company!
How to Trade Stress for Spirit-Led Peace at Home.
By: Arlene Pellicane
When I heard that CHAOS could stand for “Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome,” I could relate! I can’t blame my kids for a messy house anymore. My college son is out of the house and my other two kids are high schoolers. They’re not leaving toys, Legos, wrappers, and board books everywhere I step. Don’t get me wrong—they contribute to the piles around the house—but I must accept blame too.
I’m no HGTV Network devotee. My go-to meal has three ingredients. I’m not making a fancy sauce or figuring out how to use an Instant Pot. You won’t catch me doing linens on Monday, mopping on Wednesdays, and cleaning the blinds every other Friday.
Years ago, my husband James, alarmed at a foreign sound, yelled from upstairs, “What’s that noise?”
“I’m cleaning the blinds,” I yelled back.
He was speechless and finally said, “We’ve been married for so many years; I’ve never heard you clean the blinds!”
James has been known to snap and declare, “Everyone straighten up as if company was coming!” even when no one was coming over. I have a few strengths but cleaning the house is not one of them.
More Important than Tidying
Maybe you can relate to being stressed about keeping your home neat, especially during the holiday season. Your heart might beat a little faster just thinking about entertaining company.
Take a slow, deep breath, friend.
Yes, it’s important to make our homes as presentable as possible, but there is something more important than what meets the eye.
