TheGardenofGrace I am a Wife, Momma and Entrepreneur! Hence my nickname MOMMA-PRENEUR™.... I love to: create, decorate, domesticate, write and share! My writings include: articles (that can be found here), columns, curriculum, poetry, short stories, and more! I was an Executive Secretary for 12 years in the "Big City"; and thankfully I have had the privilege to be a Wife, Momma, Author, Entrepreneur and Teacher for the past 15 years! I am very blessed to have been given such a wonderful family and the gift of writing. I love being at home, first and foremost. I also enjoy: The ABCs of Homemaking; Blogging; Writing and being with family and friends. I consider myself to be a frugal and savory shopper, always looking for the latest deals for my family and to share with you. I do not believe in spending top dollar for name brand stuff, when you can use coupons and discounts to get the same items much cheaper and even for FREE. "Cheap is good ~ FREE is even better!" I am an early riser and so enjoy sitting on my veranda sipping coffee ~~ blogging, researching and writing! I also enjoy watching the wildlife that surrounds me. Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit about myself! [URL]http://www.homemakershaven.net[/URL] View all articles | Contact author

By:  Karina Struven

To me "True Keepsake-Hospitality" is a lost ART!  Yes, Art.  It not only takes courage to open your home to others and to be hospitable, it takes heart and that is the art of Keepsake-Hospitality! 

I read a statement in a book one time where a friend said to another, "You can't really know me until you've been in my home."  I believe that there is a lot of truth to this statement. 

We all meet and enjoy each other's company in a variety of places - church, community meetings, or place of business, a youth sports outing, or school.   While these are generally safe, non-threatening environments, we usually only reveal as much about ourselves as we desire to.  These are places where we can keep people, I hate to say, even our friends -- at an arm's length. 

But, the truth is that God does not desire us to keep people at an arm's distance.  He would much rather have us hold our arms open wide and invite people into our lives and into our homes. 

I know what you are thinking, because I have been there.   Right now you might be thinking "I'm scared, I can't do that.  What if I say or do something wrong?  Then everyone will think I am a dork."   Yes, I have been there.  But you know what?  The biggest blessings I have ever received, is when I have opened up my home to others (broken couch and all)!   

Hospitality is NOT about how big your house is or how well you can decorate.  Hospitality is NOT a competition.  (Even though I must admit, not having the state-of-the-art decor has held me back sometimes from inviting people in.)  Also, Hospitality is NOT about how great a cook you are or how well you set a table.  Hospitality IS all about caring for someone, and sharing with someone! 

Now don't get me wrong, if you are a great cook and a wonderful decorator, than enjoy the gift God has given you!   Just don't show it off for your own glory -- but for God's Glory!  Please, don't be mislead or even intimidated -- if you enjoy it!   God has created us as women to open our arms and our homes, and has equipped us each with different gifts.  Yours might be the gift of hospitality -- so if it is, use it to build a friendship and to glorify your Heavenly Father.  Wear that gift with the Pride of Christ.  You never know whose life you can touch by being you! 

Hospitality is about opening your heart and your home and sharing what God has given to you.  Even if you feel it is not much!  Or maybe you feel it is too much.  It is about giving yourself to another person and investing in them, as well as, having them invest in you!   It is building a friendship and what better place to do that, than in your own home.  

So show off your broken couch and even your cluttered basement.   Don't be humiliated, be humble. 

Remember:  IT TAKES HEART and that is the ART of Keepsake-Hospitality! 

Be a Mary, and not a Martha.....pick up the phone, invite over a friend, and resurrect Hospitality today! 

June 16, 2009

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Keepsake Verse: 

At the Home of Martha and Mary  

Luke 10:38-42:  

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"  41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

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Keepsake Thought: 

I believe that Martha had good intentions!  The King of Kings was in her house and she wanted it perfect for him!   But, she missed the boat.   All Jesus wanted from her, was herself! -- not her home, not her good cooking.  Just her!   Sometimes we have to be so careful of our good intentions!   They can often distract us, as Martha, and we miss was is truly important and right there in front of us!  

Yes, God does desire and wants "all of us," but not at the cost of losing time with him.  

My favorite part of these verses is when Jesus says "but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Many blessings!  
Karina Struven