I just finished reading my Winter edition of the magazine TEACH (to encourage and challenge homemakers). At first I was intimidated by the amount of reading that was in the magazine. So, now you know that I am not an avid reader. Despite my fear, I dove in one night and found something I didn’t expect. The magazine’s focus this particular issue was on hospitality, something I’ve avoided greatly since becoming a homemaker.

I loved the story entitled Entertaining Angels, which spoke of a personal story of a mother who used her last canned tuna, bread and lemonade to feed a chain gang that was passing through their land close to 50 years ago. It got me to start thinking, “why am I so afraid of opening my home to others?” Of course the answer was pretty clear, when I looked back on how I behave prior to having company over. It’s a mad dash for the broom and the duster that I only use in these times. It’s hollering at my kids to stay out of the dirt pile I’m trying to sweep up, to get out of the kitchen because the floor is still wet, or to stop playing with their toys because I just picked them up! I’m so focused on impressing my company, that I forget how to be hospitable.

So, I was challenged, in a way by this issue of TEACH. Yet, I did not feel pressure at all, or as if I needed to do something great that week! Opportunities to open my home just suddenly arose, and I was shocked to hear myself say, “why don’t you all just eat here tonight?” and “bring your friend here tomorrow for tea” and the most surprising “I think we’ll have enough food for mom and dad to come too”. It seems as though God was all too ready to land people in my lap who could use a comfy home and a warm meal. I’m so glad I did read this Winter issue of TEACH, and so grateful for the opportunities that God gave me almost immediately to open up my home and forget about my vanity! TEACHmagazine.com