Ep 174 A Legacy of Hosting a Dinner Party One Day at a Time

To host a simple dinner gathering sounds daunting unless we tackle it one task at a time. When I think of all the work involved, I can feel like quitting before I even begin. I wonder—and maybe whine a little:

“How can I fit hosting guests into my already too-full schedule?”

“I hate to cook and I don’t want to make enemies (or make people sick!”)

“I have house issues: my table is too small, I don’t have enough chairs, my dining room is also the office, the homeschool room, and the playroom!”

“My kids aren’t very well behaved yet. I will need to wait until they are away at college.”

“Who should I invite? Doesn’t everyone already have their friends?”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to get a sitter and meet a couple at a restaurant – and since I don’t have enough money for both those things, I guess we just won’t go out until we win the lottery or some distant rich uncle leaves us an inheritance!”

These arguments are legitimate, to a point. We are busy. It is easier to go out (if we had the money.) Our homes may be under construction or not be the perfect home for company. But God doesn’t call us to elaborate entertaining. He says to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (I Peter 4:9) Doing one task a day is the best tip for doing simple hospitality and helps keep me from grumbling or feeling I’m totally out of my depth.

If you desire to use your home for God and others, yet you don’t know how to go about it, here’s some sage advice: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

I don’t recommend serving elephant stew, although I do know a delicious recipe for French Dip Beef Sandwiches which could pass for elephant and, perhaps, more seemly for most guests. Preparing for a company dinner is easier when we do one thing a day. Taking “one bite at a time” moves the host—you and me— from feeling overwhelmed to “I can’t wait to host again!” True story.

 

Here’s a list of simple tasks, one to do each day of the week except for Sundays (Day of Rest!) And, by the end of four weeks, you will have guests around your table (or, on your couch or floor, depending on your style!)

Start on a Monday, follow the task for that day, and the day after that, and soon you’ll be hosting with joy, confidence, and ease—one bite at a time. Each dinner party preparation tip gets you closer to the goal of hosting a simple company dinner, and completing each one day-by-day will make it easier on you—the dinner party host—and, a lot more fun since you won’t have a whole elephant to contend with the day of the party!

Each daily task begins with a brief prayer and closes with a short Bible verse since we know only God both transforms and encourages us as we prepare to love and serve our guests.

To receive a copy of A Guide to Simple Hospitality One Day at a Time click HERE.

Sample tasks you'll find:

• Discuss with your family: "Who should we invite?"
• Invite your guests for supper in three weeks so the date is on the calendar.
• Assign family chores. (When we all invest, we all are blessed!)Refresh front porch or entryway.
• Text your guests: “Looking forward to dinner with you this coming Saturday!”