I have been loving Sandy's blog for a couple years now, she has taught me so much about hospitality, you must check it out if you haven't already. You are going to love her!
Here is a quote from one of the newspaper's she was featured in:
Here is a quote from one of the newspaper's she was featured in:
"Hospitality is not about having the best or newest
or most beautiful," says
Reluctant Entertainer Sandy Coughlin.
"It's about sharing your heart and
home with others."
Leave her some Praise and Coffee love with a comment here and then hop on over and check out her website, click on logo:
Her husband has a ministry for men too, check it out here: Paul Coughlin
When Perfect and New Wears Off …
Usually when I’m asked to be a guest blogger, I like to talk about a party or food. But when Sue asked me, I just knew I could take my most recent experience and find spiritual value to it. Let me start here …
It was over 5 years ago that we enjoyed a brand new kitchen at our old home that we lived in for 10 years.
I remember the freshness of moving in, unpacking from the garage, having brand-new - and feeling on top of the world.
Then life became ... reality. The kitchen, that once was sparkling new, didn't seem that new any more. The glitter of it all started to fade as I still had to do dishes, my stacks of "stuff" piled up on the counters, the kids made huge messes, the cupboards needed wiping down, my busy life left it looking not so pretty anymore.
Those of you who have followed my blog know that we're on the cusp of enjoying another new kitchen in our current home. It's been a long process to get it done, doing much of the work ourselves, but I'm getting that taste of "newness" and "freshness" and I'm thinking my life will be happier when ... my new kitchen is done. Not!
I want to remember the lesson I learned with the old. My happiness doesn't lie in perfect or new. Because perfect and new wears off, it becomes old, rather quickly, and as life settles in again - I know I must keep my priorities straight.
So as the newness fades, I need to stop quickly and remind myself that it's what goes on in our kitchen that really matters. It's about the love that is transpired, the bonding with friends and family that is inspired, the nourishment that will be provided and shared together. It's sitting back and relaxing; what I call sharing the common life.
I want to daily create a place of love, in the heart of my home, called "the kitchen", where food is served, and real sharing takes place.
Luke 12:29-31
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns met."
The Message Bible
Usually when I’m asked to be a guest blogger, I like to talk about a party or food. But when Sue asked me, I just knew I could take my most recent experience and find spiritual value to it. Let me start here …
It was over 5 years ago that we enjoyed a brand new kitchen at our old home that we lived in for 10 years.
I remember the freshness of moving in, unpacking from the garage, having brand-new - and feeling on top of the world.
Then life became ... reality. The kitchen, that once was sparkling new, didn't seem that new any more. The glitter of it all started to fade as I still had to do dishes, my stacks of "stuff" piled up on the counters, the kids made huge messes, the cupboards needed wiping down, my busy life left it looking not so pretty anymore.
Those of you who have followed my blog know that we're on the cusp of enjoying another new kitchen in our current home. It's been a long process to get it done, doing much of the work ourselves, but I'm getting that taste of "newness" and "freshness" and I'm thinking my life will be happier when ... my new kitchen is done. Not!
I want to remember the lesson I learned with the old. My happiness doesn't lie in perfect or new. Because perfect and new wears off, it becomes old, rather quickly, and as life settles in again - I know I must keep my priorities straight.
So as the newness fades, I need to stop quickly and remind myself that it's what goes on in our kitchen that really matters. It's about the love that is transpired, the bonding with friends and family that is inspired, the nourishment that will be provided and shared together. It's sitting back and relaxing; what I call sharing the common life.
God blesses us all with exactly what we have each day. It's perfect for the day, whether in old or new, and He meets our needs, down to the finest details.
I want to daily create a place of love, in the heart of my home, called "the kitchen", where food is served, and real sharing takes place.
Luke 12:29-31
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns met."
The Message Bible
Sandy Coughlin • 4 Reluctant Entertainers
• real entertaining • for • real people •
www.reluctantentertainer.com
reluctantentertainer@yahoo.com
11 comments:
My life will be happier when...
Of course, "happy" is fleeting, and "when" never really comes.
We recently purchased a new refrigerator (the other leaked all over), a new stovetop (I'd been cooking on one burner for 2 years and now am having trouble realizing I can cook on more than one), a dishwasher (the old one had been dead for several years after the granddaughter pushed too many buttons), and an over-the-range microwave (simply to make more room on the counter.)
I'm blessed to have all these new appliances, but I realize I could have gotten along perfectly well. Well, maybe not "perfectly," but good enough.
Now I'm eyeing the counter, the sink, the floor, the cupboards that need replacing or painting, the dirty ceiling, the outdated wallpaper...
There's always something. And I know the time will come when I am careless in my care of anything new.
Kind of like my spiritual life. We might not be spanking brand new as when we were first reborn, but each day can be fresh and new if we take care and seek joy instead of happiness.
Great post!
Sandy
Great post!
We so often hunger for what's shiny and new when our real joy comes from what is timeless and steadfast, our Lord and King!
Wonderful and so true. I can relate with a new house!!
Hello Sue...
I've just come over from Sandy's place...this is my very first visit to your delightful blog...so very nice to meet you!
What an awesome message that Sandy brought in regards to "when the new wears off"! I loved it! It really reminded me to be thankful for all that I have! That's not an easy task in life today where you see so much that you would like to have! Hmmm...I don't think I'm the only one that experiences this...am I? It's not what we have but how we use it...how we enjoy it and nurture with it! I love that...something I needed to hear today! Thank you Sandy! And...thank you, Sue...for inviting Susan for a visit!
Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
Love it Sandy!! Thanks. I love that God knows exactly what we need, when we need it.
xx
I'm going to hop over to the other blog, too. Fun to see this blog.
Kitchen conversations/time together are the best.
~ Wendy
What a wonderful reminder that real and true happiness only comes from one place... God.
I've been reminded recently that so often I focus on the temporal instead of the eternal. Working on clearing my focus. This is another reminder to what really matters.
Thanks!
Another beautiful truth from Sandy. She always encourages me to use what I have for the Lord. I'm glad she was your guest today - and I know the Lord will speak to many through her.
Great word! When we stop looking at the things around us and start looking up a the one who saved us, the stuff around us is less 'shiny'. Thanks for sharing!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
Post a Comment