Our imperfections. They can be a blessing or they can be a curse.
-A fault, blemish, or undesirable feature.
-The state of being faulty or incomplete.
For me, Easter brings out my imperfections in painful yet beautiful ways, because I realize so much of my sin comes in relying on myself and doing things my way. It also keeps me grounded with a right attitude when my guests come for dinner.
You can almost feel your imperfections, so Easter keeps me balanced and my eyes focused on the Perfect One, who covers my imperfections, and reassures His love for me.
It reminds me that when we’re relaxed and all eyes are off of “perfect,” when we take that next courageous step of inviting others in, when we focus on what really matters, we find ourselves catching a ray of hope – a glimpse of Easter.
Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate for many, but a daunting and dreadful task for others, and that happens when we lose our right perspective of hospitality:
Hospitality is not about us, it’s about them (our guests).
Hospitality is not about comparing or having the best.
Hospitality is not about perfection or having a showy spirit.
Hospitality is about showing love, and having a welcoming heart toward others–with food as the tool.
However great or perfect we think we are, what we’re trying to accomplish will never be perfect. So looking around our dinner tables, and seeing and feeling our imperfections (table wasn’t set right, flowers are wilting, candle wax never cleaned up from last time, kids are misbehaving, rolls a little overdone, Easter dessert a flop), we realize that Christ’s covering of our imperfections helps us to become gracious hostesses.
Acceptance of our imperfections helps us to overcome, to open up, and to take risks.
Don’t you think the foundation of hospitality is putting ourselves aside and just loving people?
For me, my fears are diminished when the reality of the cross becomes true in my heart.
This year, for Easter, first and foremost, I want that reality.
Are you excited for Easter, or is hosting an Easter celebration a daunting task that is bogging you down?
By: Sandy Coughlin
Blog:: Reluctant Entertainer
Book:: The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman’s Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality
Facebook:: Reluctant Entertainer
I agree, Sandy. We need to get over thinking everything is about us. Really nothing in our life is about us. It is all about glorifying the Lord. We need to push ourselves out of the way and celebrate and share love as Christ would–dusty feet and all! Have a blessed, Christ-focused Easter!
easter is just becoming not a great time. getting pretty much hounded to serve at church and the family is at odds with each other. its just not a great time for much of anything lately. but i’m sure it will be a low key day.
Thank you!