I recently hosted a leadership meeting for my MomCo group (formerly known as MOPS) in our backyard. It’s been a long time since I’ve hosted women in my home. We had planned to use our new table Brent built but the stain was still wet from the rain moisture. I was discouraged but figured out a way to improvise.
I pulled all our patio furniture out back. Having to change plans was the reminder that my home doesn’t have to be perfect or impressive to cultivate relationships.
I really wanted to use our new table but it was more about making people feel welcome and comfortable. Once I had everything settled I took to the details - flowers, fruit in the water, a simple table cloth, music. And it took me back to a former time.
Oh how I’ve missed the details of setting up a space for people to come over. It’s second nature. But it’s been long enough that I forgot the value of welcoming people in, making intentional decisions at where people will sit, how they can comfortably socialize, and feel like they have a place here.
All are welcome.
We even set up the fire pit and it was a lovely backyard gathering. We, of course, ended up being too busy talking that I didn't take any pictures later.
But at the end of the evening my thrown together set up proved to be even better than planned.
