Hello friends! I hope your Easter weekend was fantastic and you had much time to reflect on the true meaning and beauty of it all. We had a full schedule of ministry events, family activities and time with good friends that we love like family. Today I wanted to share with you a new tradition that we’ve begun in our family – Good Friday soup dinner! This was our kick off year and I’m happy to report that it went so smoothly and was a very special time. After this trial run I’m convinced it’s a yearly to-do now! The Lord continues to press on my heart the value and importance of opening my heart and home to hospitality. If you are easily overwhelmed by the idea of having people in your home I hope this post encourages you.
We had 24 people packed into our home on Good Friday night after the church service. 24 moms and dads and kids and new friends packed into a dining room/front room mash-up. It was awesome and I’m so thankful to the Lord for this house that we can fill with people and love on them with soup, hospitality, and hot coffee. The night began with prayer and and a reading of Isaiah 53 – the reminder of our Savior and His sacrifice for us. It wasn’t perfect. My 9 month old squawked through the entire reading, and the little girls table giggled while they balanced their glasses on their heads and noses. But it was special and sweet. The Lord was honored in that place.
My husband and I live on a budget and so while I have visions of going crazy and throwing an all out feast – I’m just as excited about a cozy soup dinner, too. Soups are inexpensive, quick, and easy to put together and most recipes are easily doubled. I was able to keep costs low with our decorations as well using things I already owned and whipping up just a few little pretty things here and there. Part of the decorations were simple print offs. I created an easy menu and layered it with a copy of our reading from Isaiah 53. On the tables I used borrowed white table cloths, paper bowls/plates/utensils, and a homemade centerpiece on each. During the week I discovered that Walmart has a pretty descent silk flower selection (Who knew?!), and unless you are looking really closely… the daffodils look like the REAL deal. And at .97 a bunch its doable! I grabbed 4 bunches, stuck them in some of that weird green flower foam, topped it with moss and voila – affordable and easy Spring centerpiece. I have random pieces of burlap all over this house, so I just layered that with a crochet piece which was a gift. One of our pastors on staff built the cute wooden box, but you could stick daffodils in any kind of container and they would look fabulous if you ask me. I’ve even seen them tucked into a rain boot and it works!
For the front room we went really simple. I grabbed an out of commission hymnal and found a few hymns about the cross and…sewed them together. It’s the easiest table runner you can make! So after we moved the coffee table, pushed the chair out of the way and rearranged a bit – our new dining room addition was ready.
What a blessing to fill the home with all the noises of guests. I loved sitting back and listening to bits and pieces of conversations around me and watching the little ones interact. My favorite part of the night was watching the “big kids table” join us for the scripture reading. Hearing those little voices join the adults was powerful to this mom heart. My purpose for doing this was for community and I believe the mission was accomplished. In the book “The Hospitality Commands” by Alexander Strauch I found this quote to be encouraging in my efforts –
“..hospitality is a fitting conclusion to worship. In fact, it is a needed continuation of our short time together as God’s family. It is also an opportune time to meet new people, encourage the weak, minister to the needy, and care for the new babies in Christ.”
If hospitality is something that is on your heart I would encourage you to GO FOR IT! Love on people, open your homes and just let the Lord work on hearts. I’m learning its not about the size of your home or how fancy you make things – it’s about being real and meeting people where they are. A few of my favorite resources on the topic are:
“The Hospitality Commands” by Alexander Strauch
“A Life that says welcome” by Karen Ehman
“Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Treasuring God in our Traditions” by Noel Piper
{You can find all of those books by clicking on the title.}
Our first Good Friday soup dinner is in the books and I’m so glad we did it! I know this will become a tradition my whole family looks forward to as we remember this special time of the year. Blessings friends!
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