Today, I want to introduce you to my dear friend, Karen Ehman. Karen serves on the Proverbs 31 Speaker Team with me. She has authored four books, one of which we are featuring today. She speaks across the country encouraging woman on how to simplify their lives and glorify God in their hearts and their homes.
The subject of hospitality is not only near and dear to my heart, but it is also the perfect topic for me to address here on Wendy’s blog. You see, Wendy and her family are currently offering hospitality to our daughter Mackenzie as she lives with them while attending cosmetology school in Charlotte. It has done my heart a wealth of good knowing Kenz is in the capable hands and home of the sweet Blight family. She is made to feel right at home!
When it comes to the subject of opening your home, how do you fare? So often, we women shy away from this important ministry because we have unrealistic expectations of ourselves. We surmise we simply must have perfectly cleaned houses, gourmet food to serve and lavish décor on display in order to be hospitable.
We need to remember that there is a huge difference between what the world calls “entertaining” and what the Bible refers to as “hospitality”. Entertaining puts the emphasis on you and impressing your guests. Hospitality puts the emphasis on your guests and seeks to make them feel refreshed, not impressed when they leave your home.
While there are many aspects to hospitality, the food you offer dozen’t need to stress you out. With a few simple “what to serve” ideas, having others over can be a snap. Try to develop a repertoire of no-fail recipes to draw upon when company comes. And don’t worry about serving an entire seven-course meal. Just having others over for a simple snack is offering hospitality too! In fact, this week, pick up the phone, invite someone over and try this fall favorite idea:
Carmel Apple Dip
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
¼ C. brown sugar
¾ C. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 C. chopped, lightly salted peanuts
Blend cream cheese, sugars and vanilla until thoroughly mixed. Just before serving, fold in peanuts. Serve with sliced, crisp, slightly tart apples such as Honey Crisp, Gala or Granny Smith. Enjoy!!!
If you’d like to explore the topic of hospitality further, leave a comment here and you will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of my book A Life That Says Welcome; Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others. In it you’ll find many ideas for what to serve, how to dejunk your home and keep it clean, simple decorating ideas and hospitality on the road activities to do with your family.
Happy hospitality everyone!
Thank you, Karen! If you would like to win a copy of her featured book, A Life that Says Welcome, please leave a comment on my blog. To read more from Karen, please visit her blog.To purchase a copy of Karen’s book please visit the Proverbs 31 website.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story 
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book)
This recipe sounds delicious!
Wendy, what a wonderful gift you are giving Karen and McKenzie. Truly wonderful!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
tiggerdaisy@gmail.com
Oh, and by the way, I've often overlooked inviting someone to my house because I don't feel that it will measure up to their expectations. I love my home with all my heart, but I didn't want to hear anyone's comments on what we haven't gotten around to finishing yet. Thanks for this post Karen–it certainly helped me to realize that entertaining and hospitatility are two completely different things!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
Thank you Wendy and Karen!
I love that Martha "opened her home to the Lord" and that is one way she was a great example to us!
I like to consider hospitality as "entertaining angels". And feeling refreshed is so preferred over feeling impressed.
Karen, what peace your heart must have knowing your cherub is being cared for and refreshed in Wendy's home. What a treasure you two share!
Thanks for visiting Wendy's blog.
We'll leave the light on for ya….
Sharon
Thank you ladies! I love the idea of hospitality as opposed to entertaining! That puts a new, refreshing spin on things and my stress level has already lowered!!
I would love to win this book to learn about new ideas and kind things to do to make visitors feel at home.
-Amy
Thank you for the chance the win Karen's book. I love having people over and would love to read Karen's insights.
kimwhite62@gmail.com
Can I come and stay for awhile and be refreshed in your home, Wendy? Hee! I would love that! You, probably not so much.LOL
You are such a delight, and as I read more about Karen, I see she is also. How awesome that you guys are so close.
What a wonderful post! I had really not thought of the difference between hospitality and entertaining. Karen, thank you for that! How often do I not open my home because of these reasons you mentioned. I would love that book!
Wendy, how precious of you all to open your home to her daughter! Thank you for highlighting Karen!
Hugs!
Susan
Thank you for clarifying entertaining vs. hospitality! All too often I have avoided inviting friends into my home because I thought I needed to entertain them, though I've always appreciated others' hospitality!
I would love to read Karen's book and gain a new perspective on hospitality! Excited about it.
Hope
Iditarod14@aol.com
Oh my, hospitality is a HUGE challenge for me. It's complicated (or I let it get complicated) by the fact that our family has food allergies, and I'm not skilled in the kitchen. But I love hearing that hospitality means something more than that. Thank you!
Ann
I would love to win Karen's book…I have struggled in the past with having an old house that's not as modern or nice as some of my friends….but I know that God wants me to open up more to be hospitable and have some tea parties, knitting parties, etc….
From the purchase of our first home, we told God it was His! But I have many a faults when it comes to sharing it with others.
This is just what I needed to read while debating whether to have everyone over to my house for a family birthday party for my daughter….but wondering whether I would have time to clean and do fall decorating before the weekend. Thanks for the reminder…
~Tina
I would love a chance to win Karen's book. I like to entertain but think I need to be like Martha Stewart and get all stressed out.
I end up freaking out my family, and then when it's done & over with I ask myself, "where was the fun in that"! 
Oh, girls, do I hear you about loving to entertain, saying "yes," and then freaking out my entire family because I want the house neat for 48 hours before the guests arrive!!! There is a sticky on the downstairs bathroom for two days directing "DO NOT USE!" I agree with Janie…"where was the fun in that????"
Karen, we all need a copy of your book!
Thanks for stopping by my bloggy friends. I am thankful Karen's words blessed you and gave you new insights into God's definition of hospitality!
Blessings,
Wendy
Our house is never "ready" for company, but our hearts always are….
I have long struggled with my house not being clean enough or fancy enough or "whatever" enough to invite people in. Thank you for this post. I will strive to remember it the next time I want to invite a friend over, but think my home isn't good enough. I would love to read Karen's book and get some helpful hints.
Kate S.
I had the opportunity to hear Karen at the Hearts at Home conference this past weekend. What great tips and practical guidance. I hope to instill some small tools into my daily life and her book would be a great help in getting that started.