Life by Grace Alone

I started my last post by mentioning a book called Open Heart Open Home. I should have also included a reference to another book that made a big impression on me early in our marriage. This book was called A Season of Friendship by Ruth Senter.  I found my copy of it hidden among an eclectic gathering of books in our spare bedroom. For a while I encouraged every friend I had to read this book. What made the book so special? It was the history of Ruth Senter's  friendships. Although the whole book was important to me, it was the last story about her friendship with a sister in Christ named Audra that I remember the best. Audra was that unusual combination of amazing accomplishments outside of the home, incredible domestic skills and a great sensitivity and graciousness towards others. Immediately Ruth felt that her new friend was totally out of her league. Although Ruth enjoyed Audra, she wouldn't stop comparing Audra's successes with all of her own lesser accomplishments....

Years ago I read a book called Open Heart, Open Home by Karen Mains. She had a simple but profound theme. Hospitality and entertaining are not the same thing. Entertaining says "Here am I. Here is my house with its decorating touches and nice furniture all of which have been treated well by my wonderful cleaning skills. Here is my beautifully set table ready for my mouth watering dishes that were all carefully prepared. Relax and enjoy what I have done for you. Aren't I wonderful?" Hospitality says " How can I serve? What are your needs? My home and any of my homemaking skills are only tools as I seek to show you the love of Christ." Most of us will find ourselves somewhere between entertaining and hospitality. Because of our sin nature we are more often motivated by our own ego than the love of Christ. We are not content to know that our home exhibits enough order that our guests feel comfortable. We want our guests to marvel at our decorating ability,perhap...