Author Jane Jarrell is honest about the fact that most people don't think they have the time for hospitality. Maybe because of a fictional idea that is sent through society of what society has deemed true hospitality. You can say that most people would even consider it a waste of time for themselves, instead of looking at the wonderful benefits of giving yourself to others in this area.
As you journey from chapter to chapter you will find simple and, yes, doable advice for a variety of areas that make true hospitality a success. You will find organizing tips for the rooms of your house, holiday recipes and tips, simple secrets for the kitchen, gardening advice, visual presentation and more. You will learn how hospitality is not just about entertaining and decorating, but about giving of yourself. As you learn the benefits of serving others, the tasks of successful, simple hospitality take on a whole new meaning and they actually become enjoyable and not burdensome.
Starting with the essentials to being successful in this area, you will learn the spiritual aspects of hospitality; how to turn it into a ministry to others and the benefit of allowing God to guide you through this gift He has given each and everyone of us. In the first chapter you will be taken through a quick, 4-step journey to evaluating yourself internally to make sure you are free and clear, spiritually, so you will be able to freely give to others through the act of hospitality. As obvious as it may seem, may people tend to forget that you can't give away what you don't have. If you are continually giving to others without spiritually refueling and spiritually 'cleaning house', you will eventually run dry and end up empty with nothing left to give to those around you; employers, family members, friends, co-workers, or anyone you come in contact with. This 4-step self-evaluation will get you on the path to preparing yourself to be an available vessel in whom God can work through. To sum up what you learned in each particular chapter you will find 'Simple Solutions' at the finish of each chapter - to pin point important tips that we should pay close attention to.
To get a quick glimpse at what you will find in Jane Jarrell's Simple Hospitality, below you will find a little idea of what you'll read in each chapter. No doubt, after reading these, you will want to obtain a copy of the book for yourself so you can read it in it's entirety.
Chapter 1, Clean Plate Club...
A quote: "In this chapter we are going to examine our deepest inner life. I've always liked interior design! We'll do a little spring-cleaning and maybe some polishing as we seek to become God's best." Just as you read in that quote, you are challenged to get to the root of what matters in each of us and that is our inner-self, our inner-man. Only when you do this can you move forward to honing the skills of someone who offers true hospitality.
Chapter 2, The Simple Truth...
A quote: "Hospitality is kindness extended in myriad ways. A burning porch light. A table full of food. A hug. A get-together for children. A clean house. Coffee brewing in the kitchen. Gracious hospitality offers comfort, encouragement, and forgiveness in a generous fashion. It is allowing the spirit of God to flow through you by putting others before yourself."
You will also view HOSPITALITY through the use of an acronym that can open your eyes to seeing hospitality in a different light.
Chapter 3, Homeland Hospitality...
A quote: "Our houses, whether large or small, offer only walls and a roof. A home is created inside when we use our imaginations to create a space that nurtures souls. When our four walls adopt our personality, they become a perfect place to share ourselves. I want my home to have a welcoming environment that showers the spirit of hospitality on all who enter."
Chapter 4, Beyond Harried Holidays...
A quote: "There is absolutely no way any woman can possibly do everything expected of her during the holidays, whether it's Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. Just accept it: you can't do everything the holidays demand. There is no reason to feel guilty about choosing a few doable tasks and skipping the others. I want to help you lighten your load."
Chapter 5, Faking Homemaking...
This chapter takes you through the rooms of your house while giving you ideas for 'speed cleaning' and simple yet effective organizing ideas. Discover fun tips to successful 'fake-fixes' for those last minute details.
Chapter 6, Creating a Haven on Earth...
A quote: "Creating comfort allows us to offer hospitality just by opening the door."
In this chapter you will learn how to find your inspiration for decorating your home. You will learn the "Seven Steps to Personalize Your Palace", including, lighting, texture, color and display.
Chapter 7, The Kitchen Magician...
Finding simple and quick ways to maximize your time in the kitchen are revealed in this chapter. Look for the "Top Ten Tortilla Tips", "Angel Food Cake - 5 Ways", "Fancy Desserts That Only Look Difficult" and "Dixie Cook's Top Thirteen 'Haven Helpers'".
Chapter 8, Get Up and Grow...
This chapter offers wonderful gardening advice for indoors and outdoors. You'll find great tips for a Salsa Garden, Kitchen Garden, Cutting Garden and more. The quote that summed it up for me in regards to gardening and it's importance is: "Gardening teaches us to slow down a bit, to stop and smell the roses". This piece of advice, if followed in today's society, would make our world a better place.
Chapter 9, Designing An Inviting Entrance...
I'm not sure people realize the importance of first impressions. What do people see when they first drive up to your house? When they walk in the front door, or enter a room? Discover ways to perk-up your porch or create a fabulous foyer. Realizing the importance of first impressions, this chapter helps you create an inviting entrance that aides in true hospitality.
Chapter 10, Maximizing Ministry Moments...
The beginning of this chapter starts off with an important view of hospitality. The first paragraph says, "...our hospitality ministry begins at home. It begins by nurturing the relationships that are closest to us, emotionally and spiritually. But when we walk out our door, our ministry expands quickly. Hospitality is sowing seeds of kindness towards others, no matter where you find them."
The wonderful thing about sowing seeds of kindness towards others, is the harvest of kindness that will come back to you. Learn about the ministry of sharing, hospitality to overnight guests, and simple kindness.
Chapter 11, Entertaining in Style...
In this chapter, learn how to set the atmosphere when you are entertaining. From the moment your guests arrive to the time they leave, you can be at peace, be gracious and show your guests a wonderful time. Included are recipes, entertaining themes, food service suggestions and more to make being a host or hostess a breeze. "Remember, you don't have to strive for perfection as a hostess. You can be relaxed because when you move the focus off yourself, you can find incredible joy in entertaining others."
Chapter 12, Kid Connection...
Teaching children about hospitality seems to have been lost with the generations, but how it would do our society good if we picked up on this again and brought up children with hearts for others. This chapter will show you simple ways to teach kids the importance of hospitality, ideas for serving in your community (i.e. at nursing homes), how to involve your children when hosting guests and more. This chapter is a must read if you have kids.
Chapter 13, Gift Giving with Gusto...
Need help in knowing how to give the right gift for each occasion? Find unique ways to give to your husband, teacher, friends, newlyweds and more. There are ways we can be generous and giving in just about every situation in life - not just birthdays or holidays. Also discover "Fifteen Ways To Wrap Gifts Without Wrapping Paper."
Chapter 14, Bedside Manners...
It isn't always easy knowing what to do when we know someone with an illness, who gets divorced, who loses a job - but here you will find simple, yet beneficial advice when you find yourself in these types of situations. We can be gracious, understanding, comforting and uplifting in times of adversity when people need encouragement the most.
Simple Hospitality is a must read! Hospitality cannot be narrowed down and focused on one or two aspects. Hospitality begins and ends within ourselves. What we have inside is what we will have to give - and we must realize the gift of this type of ministry that God has placed in each and every person on earth. It would not be true for someone to say that they don't have the gift of hospitality or that hospitality just isn't their 'thing'. We do find that God intends for us all to be hospitable to all whom we come in contact with. After all, we are to be examples of His Love on this earth and our greatest example we have to learn from is Jesus, who loved everyone He met. So, take a journey through Jane Jarrell's Simple Hospitality so you can get started on this wonderful ministry that will effect everyone you come in contact with.
I'll leave you with two quotes from this wonderful book:
"Simple hospitality is part of our ministry whether we feel it is our specific spiritual bent or not. As we have seen in these chapters, hospitality is more than menus, unique decor, and showmanship. Hospitality means making room for one more, always an extra place at the table or an extra pillow and blanket, always an offer of encouragement whatever the circumstance. It means scheduling time for a planned get-together and setting aside other plans for impromptu gatherings. This is not always easy to do, but practicing hospitality is not God's suggestion; it is God's command. As I have mentioned, the spirit of hospitality will come full circle when we least expect it."
"Fellowship with one another can happen no matter the location, color of the walls, or financial status. Simple hospitality does not require exceptional surroundings or outstanding ability; it only requires kindness and a willing heart."
