Hospitable motivation?

I finally did the only thing I could think of to remove the winter blahs!  I invited people over for dinner and games!  Hey, don't knock a good plan.  It works...try it. 

Frankly, hospitality is one of those truly lost arts.  I think people make it too hard.  The house really doesn't have to be spotless...after this ice and melting my freshly mopped floors are covered with dog prints anyway!  HA!  

Setting a table with your best dishes isn't really what people are looking for anyway.  Most folks want to get to know the REAL you...not your best "put on" self.  Tonight, I'm truly welcoming our new friends to come do with us what we always do...eat personal, tortilla lite pizzas...gobble a yummy chocolately dessert...and play games.  Non-screen games...ahem!  Speed Scrabble and Attack UNO!

This is the season I hole up with deep books and warm, steaming cups of caffeinated goodness.  And although I learn a multitude of wonderful, heart changing things...sometimes it makes me sad and a bit too introspective.  I just finished Bonhoeffer, I read and am re-reading Embracing Obscurity  and I'm just delving into In The Land Of Blue Burqas and Tortured For His Faith.  AWESOME stuff...but hhhheeeaaavvvy!

So, I'm praying that by being real with you about my winter blahs I will encourage ya'll out there in the internet world my most fabulous imaginary friends  to tidy up a bit (we don't want to scare anyone now!) and invite people into your world. 

And you know I can't leave it alone.  People need to know about JESUS ya'll.  Create situations where you can speak about Him.  My home is the BEST place for this...cuz I have GOD'S WORD plastered on almost every wall...and I'm my most comfortable. 

OR...look around at who needs to be encouraged.  Probably it's not your bestie and her fam...those get togethers will work themselves out.  I've been so convicted lately...I just must do a better job of encouraging my sisters!!  If they are truly my SISTERS IN CHRIST...it doesn't matter if they are occasionally irritating or not remotely close to my age or unlikely to be close friendship fodder...we're related ya'll.  

Let God work out the details and just step out in obedience.  Blessings will replace your blahs!

AND...uh huh...yeah...

"I have a confession to make. I might be smiling and nodding but

I'm really only thinking about what I'm going to say next."

Yes, this is something that I struggle against. 

And as awful as this is when dealing with people...it is truly awful when speaking to God. 

Some good friends just shared some awesome prayer time encouragement with me.  One resounding thing they said was...

...after focusing on God's character and attributes...

...pouring out my thanksgiving... 

...BE SILENT.  

Wait and Listen. 

And although not my strong suit...I'm finding that it's true...so often my prayers can be full of me smiling and nodding and thinking about what I'm going to say next.  No listening.  No waiting expectantly.  I discovered I don't even always expect God to answer...and when He does I'm quite likely to miss out on thanking Him.  *sigh*

And...there are those times when I don't know what I'm really praying for...just HIS WILL...yet I still need to ASK for clarity and specifics to trust.  Those come from God's Word!  Before I read it...I've started praying that God would help me learn, see, grow...It does make a difference!

And prayer on the go is all well and good...("pray without ceasing', right?)...but sometimes it takes prayer on the knees.  Focused, alone, quiet.

And, oh...one last thing about being expectant.  I have to be ready to act on the guidance that He gives me.  No more doubting...only me ready for action...ready to OBEY.  Am I watching as I get off my knees?

Weekend Thought Provokers...

"Every cult of personality that emphasizes the distinguished qualities, virtues, and talents of another person, even though these be of an altogether spiritual nature, is worldly and has no place in the Christian community"  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"It is one thing to follow God's way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a doormat under other peoples' feet.  God's purpose may be to teach you to say, "I know how to be abased" (like Paul).  Are you ready to be less than a drop in the bucket?  To be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served?  Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are all used up and exhausted--not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister?"  Oswald Chambers

What if...

...I pulled the difficult, prickly people in my life towards me, instead of self protecting and building up walls of bitterness inside? What if I truly listened to their words, even though I wasn't particularly liking their actions? What if I humbled myself?

What if...

...I trusted God as my Jehovah Jireh...The Lord Who Will Provide.  He is my God who "sees to it."  No matter what it might be!  Would He give love for those who are difficult to love?  Jesus loves me...this I know...for the BIBLE tells me so!

Christians show faith in God when we act on His promises.  

Oh Lord,  I want to see you in my circumstances.  Open my eyes to see You working all things out for Your glory!  Show me that You are my Defender!