3/11/09

A Whole Lot of Love


Alison Krauss is a part of our home.

Well, she doesn’t actually live with our family, but her music permeates our 4 walls.

I don’t know who doesn’t respond to this beautiful, thought-provoking song, A Living Prayer. We were blessed to be able to hear Alison LIVE a few years ago, and she ended the concert with this beautiful prayer.

Take a minute and listen to the lyrics ...

HERE.

In Your Love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let it be
A living prayer …

I have found that people respond to hospitality in our home, not necessarily to me or my family.

And through this response I’m reminded of Who it’s all about.


Keeping this focus, staying on track as to what the mission of hospitality is all about, it totally takes the pressure off of me as the hostess!

I realize that my house doesn’t have to be perfect to show love.

That plain or the most out-of-date is okay.

That my meals don’t have to be gourmet or elaborate.

Simple works just fine.

And with a whole lot of love.

(Our kids all play music in our home. Photos of Abby and her beloved violin! Well, okay, let's be real - not always beloved when she has to practice and isn't in the mood!)

28 comments:

Shell in your Pocket said...

So very true...if I could only remember this sometimes!!!

Have a great Wednesday!
sandy toe

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Yes, I need that reminder now...today...with 18 people coming for the weekend, and I have to leave to lead worship for a retreat. They still "needed" our hospitality, so I'm off to get all the food ready before I leave, and take confidence in the fact that my hubby is amazing in agreeing to this. He will be the amazing hostess. Yes, it's about Him (and not me or my hubby...hee hee).

Christy said...

I love how you are always reminding about what hospitality is all about.

We are big fans of Allison Krauss as well and how lucky you are to have been able to attend a concert!

Thanks for sharing the song and I think I know what CD I will have on today:)

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Sigh... this is true. And I know it. I just have to get over my need for the surfacy stuff to be just right...

Love. It's really the most important thing.

-Andrea

Anonymous said...

That was a beautiful posts...one of my all-time favorites!

My 10 year old son plays violin and we love listening to it. My older son plays guitar. We love music filling the house, and they always play for company.

Live entertainment!

~Kim

Melanie said...

With my husband's accident in January, I have put hospitality on hold but things are better and I'm feeling like a party now!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Anonymous said...

That is by far my favorite AK song!

Nadine said...

Very true. Keeping it simple with lots of love and warmth works every time.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post and beautiful blog - this is a powerful reminder to get back to what mATTERS! happy wednesday... nice to "meet" you!

Anonymous said...

So very true! I appreciate the reminder of such a wonderful attitude.
hope you are having a great week,
Jennifer

Holly Campbell said...

Beautiful.

Thank you for sharing the song and the reminder of the true reason we serve others. . .

A Stone Gatherer said...

I love that song and Allison Kraus' music. Just today on my blog I did a birthday tribute to my husband using the song "When you say nothing at all".

Hannah E. said...

I don't think I've commented on here before, but I sure love reading your blog! I always feel so energized to serve people in my home once I've read one of your posts, and it's in a way that helps me examine my motives and priorities too.

Kim said...

So True! A great reminder for us all!

Our Complete Family said...

So true, so true my dear!
Our house loves her music, too!
Happy day wishes~ Les

grace said...

alison krauss has such a soothing and melodic voice, and her lyrics are beautiful too. great post, sandy!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

It's all about the atmosphere of your home. I love it when people tell me they feel "at home" in MY home.
Great Post
Blessings
Kim

An Adventurer in the World said...

Sandy, you must be mistaken. Allison lives HERE. : )

Have you ever heard the song her banjo player, Ron Block, wrote: "In the Palm of Your Hand"? He is inspiring in his own right, though quiet.

great post, the other thoughts as well....

deb meyers

Jeanne Oliver said...

It has taken me many years to realize some of those wise hospitality lessons. I also love Allison Krauss.

Kirstin said...

So true sandy! It can be easy to fall into the trap that says the only way we can entertain, or the only way people will want to be in our homes is if they are Up-to-date, or have the latest decor and our meals our gourmet. Which unfortunatley just isn't true! I can go into a home that is trendy and perfectly clean and the meal extravagent, but feel so afraid of breaking something, or the hostess barely sits to visit because they are so busy cleaning up and bustling about. Or It all comes down to us..I can go into the same home and feel relaxed, depending on the tone the host or hostess sets. Or I can go in a home with older furniture and feel immediately at home, or just the opposite.

I love having people in my home and want them to feel so at home here! I will often leave the dishes till later, or have the gal come and visit with me while I clean.

The Nester said...

Love AK too but OH MY GOODNESS, Abby looks just like you!

Melanie said...

Hi Sandy,
Do you have your salmon recipe on your blog?
I fixed cedar plank salmon tonight but wanted to check out your recipe first.
In trying to find it, I saw some other tasty looking dishes I hope to try soon!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Debra from Bungalow said...

Thank you for reminding us what is important in life! I love hearing children play music.
Take care, DebraK

Christine said...

I love that song and posted it on my blog a while ago too. So perfect and simple. Love the pictures of your little musician!

Becca said...

Gosh Sandy! Your blog has grown so much since the last time I visited. It's beautiful. I have missed reading your words. You taught me so much about the rules for being a good hostess--my favorite: don't apologize.

I'll be back soon! I have to go check out that Alison Krauss song. We love her around here.

Rosie B said...

Wow, Sandy. Your blog looks amazing! Have I missed the partner links in the past or are they new? So proud of you. You go girl!
love,
Michelle B.

Anonymous said...

Sandy, I too love Allison and that song is one of my all time favorites. I think I will have them sing that at my funeral! Thank you for your blog..I have learned so much from it, and I am an old lady!

50s Housewife said...

We love Alison Krauss too (have several CDs).

Great post!