Middle of the Road Martha: Practicing Imperfect Hospitality

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hospitalityI like to think of myself as a more down-to-earth, practical version of Martha Stewart. I enjoy making tasty things out of whole, real ingredients but I do not have Christmas china. I love to put lots of thought into gifts and wrapping them prettily, but I stink at doing hostess gifts, (are hostess gifts really a thing?) and I do not have a whole new gift-wrapping theme each year that requires all new supplies.

I’ve made hand-crafted gifts that were only marginally successful – and still given them away.

I do own, and have used, a trifle dish, but honestly it’s been more frequently used as decoration at Christmas time when I throw in some dollar store Christmas bulbs and call it a centerpiece.

My brunch guests have never seen a name tag and are subject to quiche in a plain glass pie plate, but I don’t think they really want to have brunch with Martha.

When it comes down to it, don’t we all just want someone to care enough about us to invite us over?

Don’t we crave getting to know another kindred spirit and feel heard? If there are some good muffins to munch on, great! But when you are in the presence of someone who genuinely cares for you and your story, do you notice if her throw pillows are seasonally appropriate? Do you care if her living room is magazine worthy? Or do you really want to go to a place that says “come, stay, be welcome and if you spill wine, no one’s getting upset?”

We put an impossible Pinterest-worthy standard on appearances and are missing out on the very best things that can’t be artistically arranged. We’ve let our fear of not measuring up impair building up what we need most – relationships.

This is a reminder to myself that it doesn’t matter that my little house isn’t perfectly beautiful. What does matter is that I make all who enter feel perfectly beautiful, and worthy of spending time with. I shouldn’t be fretting over friends being squeezed in like sardines. Having friends to squeeze into a too-small living room is a tremendous blessing, and certainly more worthy than more square footage. My house is homey. It is full of living life with my husband and baby. And all who are willing to navigate the toys and a very loving dog are welcome.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Jenny,

    This is such an excellent post! I, too, have been learning the value in letting people into our mess with the beautiful purpose of true, real community. Thanks for encouraging us to be OK with not being Martha Stewart but to share our lives anyways! 🙂

  2. I love everything abut this post, Jenny! My husband and I try really hard to invite people into our home often, and I used to really stress over having this clean and perfect. No more! I want people to feel loved and valued when they spend time in our home. Even in the midst of a mess!

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