English: A child’s birthday celebration (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
While we were away for the funeral, Prov (my youngest) turned two. We had already planned to celebrate her party a week later because of some special discounts at a swimming place, but I still wanted to do something special for her on her actual birthday, so I ran out to Walgreens and bought a toy and she got to open it on the morning of her birthday. Later that day, we went to visit some more relatives (on my husband’s side that I only sort of know), and they surprised Prov with a full birthday party. The wife had party tablecloths, helium balloons, presents, and a cake with Prov’s name on it. She stepped in and did what I couldn’t and it meant so much to me.
I am not naturally good at hospitality, I’m good at serving and I’m good at laughing at people’s jokes. But I often overlook nice snacks, tidy house, and the little details that are so important. I don’t usually take the extra steps when people visit to let them know they are loved. My oldest daughter naturally has this gift, and I need to give her more opportunities to shine. She loves setting out tea parties and mixing the kool-aid with strange ingredients to make it extra special. When Grandma comes to visit, she makes the bed with a color-crayon picture on the pillow and a piece of candy on the nightstand.
I’ve thought about how the gift of hospitality can make homeschooling days more enjoyable, and I remember reading about how one mom (I wish I could give credit, sorry) would have quiet reading time for her kids every afternoon and she would bring them a pretty cup of tea with a cookie to enjoy while they were reading. It was her way of showing them that they were special and deserved some extra love.
This is a gift that I see in others that I would really like to have, so I’m praying for it. I’m praying for God to help me remember to take that extra step that lets people know that they are loved and hopefully through me, they will see Christ.
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Tagged: birthday party, Christianity, Homeschooling, hospitality, kids, Relationships, spiritual gifts
Happy Birthday to Prov!! My neice turned two Friday. Love that age!!
Thanks beautiful, we are having a swimming party for her on Friday.
did you get my email?
yes, I did; I didn’t know how to answer it, let me think some more.
No worries. Don’t worry about it. Seems things have changed for a moment anyhow.
What a beautiful thing for your relative to do! Hospitality is a big thing to me, especially since I’m a Southern gal…
Happy birthday to your little one
You Southerners seem especially good at hospitality and charm, you could probably mix that in with your red pill philosophy and have something unique to offer your husband.
AWW what an awesome surprise!! (I’m assuming it was a surprise for you as well) Such a great gift for you too.
She will be my forever friend for what she did, I won’t forget it. I was thinking more about hospitality this morning and my Grandma was good at it. She would wake up early every morning and bake cinnamon rolls and the farmers would stop in and out of her kitchen to visit and eat. They were always fresh. We often stopped by her home after school and there was usually someone else there chatting too. I wish our society was more like that these days.