It’s time for another Live Like it Matters Challenge.
I issue these challenges to inspire you and me (because I have to remind myself often) to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us, wherever we are. Some of the challenges are easier than others. Saying hello is easy. Laughing is easy. And part of this one is definitely easy because you already do this several times a day.
You already eat food. The challenge is to invite someone over to your home to eat food with you.
There is no need to throw an elaborate dinner party. I’m not asking you to entertain guests. The challenge is to offer hospitality and there is a distinct difference between the two. Entertaining is usually something we do to impress others. Hospitality is warm and inviting. It’s making those in your home feel comfortable and meeting their needs so they leave your home refreshed.
There’s just something about sharing a meal with someone in your home. When you have people in your home you get to know each other more intimately. The guards come down, the pretense falls away, the masks come off. It’s a really good thing.
So…..invite friends, a co-worker, your aunt and uncle, whoever you’d like into your home to share a meal or maybe a simple dessert and coffee. No fancy house needed. New furniture is not required. No need for special culinary training or fancy dinnerware. Dixie cups and paper plates will do just fine.
The only necessities are an invitation, some food, and a place to sit. And the best invitation is the face to face kind.
I searched for a profound quote about opening your home, and eating food with people. I wanted the quote to say something about how happy this act of hospitality would make you and them.
I couldn’t find one I liked so there is no quote. But there is this.
Just ask, make the plan, and eat food together.
Then let me hear about it.
Do you invite people into your home often? If not, why? What is your best or worst experience when sharing a meal with others?
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
mariegriffith.me 
We love to have people over …. but of late, we do it less and less. The excuse is that there is too much going on … with work, church, kids’ varying schedules. But I think the real reason is that we are not sure who we want to connect with at this point in our lives.
This is no excuse, though, so thank you for the reminder to offer hospitality – that is certainly less tiring a prospect than entertaining.
The same here. I have to remind myself of this often. But then I’m always glad when people are over.
I think I found the right quote reading your post on sharing a meal in our home. Jesus says in Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given you …..
Thank you Maria. That’s perfect!!
During the summer, we had our cottage friends and a couple of our adult children over for pizza. Now, my wife likes to make speciality pizzas from scratch. This is a multi-day process to procure the ingredients and to ensure the dough rises correctly.
An hour before dinner, the BBQ has to be going to make sure the pizza stone reaches a searing 550 degrees. We arrange our tables on the deck to overlook the water. Everyone promptly arrives at 6, and then the magic starts to happen.
The wine is poured of course, but this never becomes a the main focus. Everyone sits on the long side of the table and my wife takes the other side. She orchestrates the pizza creation like a maestro. Carefully explaining all of the steps taken to make the speciality pizzas. The hot pizza stone cooks the pizza within 12 minutes. During this time, everyone converses while being entertained. Even after cooking, the pizzas require a bit more treatment by adding argula or drizzling some flavorful olive oils.
Everyone laughs and share stories as the pizza show continues. Making one pizza at time ensures that everyone gets fed bit by bit and remain hungry for more. The weather absolutely co-operates as the sun settles closers to the horizon. Even the ubiquitous mosquitoes take a break. All of these aspects swirl together to make a sublime happy experience.
The communal feeling of happiness that we all felt at that time continues to resonate with all of us.
I came across your challenge while doing the prompt, so I thought I would post here too.
Cheers!
This sounds like a beautiful experience…not only enjoying the pizza but the fellowship. All the senses are engaged as your guests enjoys the smells and sights, the tastes and textures. What wonderful hospitality. Thank you for sharing.