8/14/07

Move Over, Martha!

I think about the people who say, "I'm just not the hospitable type." And sometimes I say, "I'm just not the creative type," as I reflect back to the many projects I have started, but have never finished!

Beth Moore has made me rethink what creativity really is, in her latest book, Get Out of That Pit:

Created in the image of God, we are meant to brim over with creativity. Yes, that means you. Don't tell me you're not the creative type. I'm not talking right-brained-versus left-brain drivel. I'm not talking accountant types versus actor types. All image-bearers of God were intended to overflow with effervescent life, stirring and spilling with God-given vision.

Our imaginations were fashioned like wicks to be ignited by the fire of fresh revelation, dripping with wax that God can imprint with His endless signatures. He writes in fonts and shades we've yet to see, telling us who He is and what He's capable of doing. We were meant to see ourselves as part of something so much bigger than we are. Something vital. Something incredibly thrilling.


I now see the connection between creativity and hospitality. Hospitality is the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, and methods.

I believe hospitality should be a part of our spiritual DNA. The many aspects of it, and the blessings that flow, are like multiple limbs on a tree, branching out to the lives of others.

That is where the cooking shows, magazines, movie stars, and books come in and mess us up. They give us a false image of what hospitality or creativity should look like. I call it the "Marthaidious Lie."

Now don't get me wrong, because I benefit greatly from some of those things.

That is why I wrote my Ten Commandments back in January of this year. I wrote them as a guide for the person who gets stuck or in a slump when it comes to why, in the first place, we are to practice hospitality. Then I wrote about how to follow the Commandments and not fall into the Marthaidious Lie.

So, Move over Martha. There's a whole new generation of women coming through who are out to change the world, through whatever method of hospitality that works best for them, and no longer will it look like the books or TV shows!

I’m on the journey for abundant living. Will you join me?

It’s tomato season! I’ve had quite a few friends request my easy Roasted Garden Tomatoes recipe.

You can get the recipe (which I posted last fall) by clicking here.


Roast them for an hour, put in the blender or Cuisinart, cool and freeze in Ziplocs! Bye-Bye to canning!

Or, serve fresh!

Tonight my son, Garrett, is making lasagna with a fresh batch of roasted tomatoes! YUM!

(photos: very top by my cousin, Anni Jones (amazing artist & photographer); fresh tomatoes and basil from our garden, and garlic, chopped up and ready for roasting)


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love roasted tomatoes and tend to buy the muir glenn brand. I never thought to make my own. My intensive gardening is really intense and sort of stressing me a bit. It's a really busy tomato jungle in there but looks like we are going to get a good crop. I love the top photos. We had tomatoes, basil and cucumber with dinner last night with a dash of olive oil and salt. It was heavenly. And I'm definitely joining you on the abundant life journey.

tammi said...

I think you are marvelously creative! Maybe not with crafts and whatnot, but I've certainly never thought of hospitality the way you explain and demonstrate it. Thank you so much for sharing and once again, inspiring me to pursue an abundant, hospitable life.

GiBee said...

I think we have the thumb-print of Gods creativity in our lives ... we just have to learn how to use it. It's not always an "artsy-craftsy" kind of creativity, either. Setting a beautiful table, arranging lovely flowers from your garden, creating a wonderful and mouth-wtering menu/meal, sharing your life with others in a way that leaves a lasting impact on their lives ... that, my friend, simply SMACKS of God's creativity."

Christine said...

What a wonderful passage! You are such an inspiration. We're having a big party this weekend and I've thought of you many times in our preparations thus far.

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for the reminder on the tomato recipe. Our garden is exploding, and I now know what we're going to do with all those tomatoes!

Anonymous said...

Love the spiritual DNA...

kinda makes anything possible, huh?

Thanks so much, Sandy!!

linda t said...

Love, love, love what you are saying!
I sooo hear ya Sandy!
So often I forget who God says I am... and with Him IN US... I have all I need... I am enough... Christ in me is enough!! Then why do I worry and fret so much!

Thanks Sandy! You are awesome!

Unknown said...

What a great post, Sandy...very thought provoking.

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

I know that lie. I hate it - it isn't natural to be that way! I can always tell when I enter a home if it is always that clean, sparkling, fragrant (in a good way), etc.
I want my home to be natural. Only when I am natural can I really be hospitable as Jesus would be. And I shall also join you on the journey, friend!

Anonymous said...

Amen, I think these are great verses to keep in mind. I Peter 4:9-10 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms."
Blessings...

Darla said...

Your recipe came just in time for me. We have a bumper crop of tomatoes in our little backyard. A few are shown on my blog today.

This looks easy and tasty!

Darla

Heidijayhawk said...

amen sister!!! have you ever heard of radical hospitality? hospitality that makes you move beyond your traditional comfort zone! hospitality that shines the grace of God through you! awesome post!

Tammy said...

I loved reading this...and actually the two posts right before it. (Can't believe how far behind I've gotten!)

It's so true that so many times we let a perception of entertaining prevent us from hospitality.

And I can tell, you are certainly creative just by how you do show hospitality to others...and present it here for us to learn!

Nadine said...

I agree. What matters is that you entertain and not with a cookie cutter model. We are all different and how we welcome people into our home matches our personalities I think.

Love the picture of the tomatoes.