Squelching FEAR

Fear is often a major enemy of love. Paul and I have taught our kids, since they were little, what fear is:
False Evidence that Appears Real.

When it comes to entertaining, fear seems to make its way into the very idea of even trying to put something together. At every opportunity, it’s there to try to squelch relationships. It is a robber.

We all have a fear of rejection.

In reading your comments over the past few weeks, I am sensing there are a lot of worried entertainers out there! Worried that their food won’t turn out, worried about what to say, or worried about initiating new friendships in general.

Remember it’s a great form of flattery to be invited to someone’s house for a meal. When I get invited for dinner, I look forward to the break, I love being waited on, I really enjoy the conversation that takes place with friends, old and new, and I really don’t see mistakes or mishaps that take place. I’m too busy relaxing and taking it all in!

And, I get so tired of eating my own cooking; therefore I love the taste and creative meals that others come up with! It is interesting to watch the dynamics of how each household is different, in how the family interacts and gets involved. Everyone has their own expertise when it comes to food. And families have their own style of eating together, be it buffet, a sit-down dinner, or the “you’re on your own” approach.

Here is something to think about: If the people you invite over see every little mistake you make, is it worth even having them as a friend? I’m not sure those are the kind of people you would want to hang around anyway.

I think back to when one of my friends forgot to put sugar in the pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. We all had a good laugh, but we devoured it anyway, and it was delicious because of the sweet cream on top. Another friend smoked us out of the house because the dressing on the lamb boiled over onto the bottom of the oven. That didn’t stop us from having a great meal, and the lamb was scrumptious! Our hair and clothing smelled a little different when we went home, but who really cares?

There is always something that doesn’t flow or go exactly the way you think it should. Right?

Much of our fear would dissipate if it weren’t for our concern about earning other people’s approval.

Efficiency tends to deal with Things.
Effectiveness tends to deal with People.
We manage Things, we lead People.
(Admiral Grace Hopper)

I’m encouraged to make that phone call and get a dinner date on the calendar. To make it happen. I want to be effective in the lives of people around me.

I want to get the job done, to be a catalyst in being involved in other peoples’ lives.

Feed people, lead people.

Get it? You can do it!

(visit to St. Louis this last weekend with the Schmiesen Family)

I also want to thank momrn2 for giving me for the Thinking Blogger Award last week. This award, is given to those that cause one to think, and are inspirational to others. I am humbled and honored to have been the recipient of this award.


Following the rules of passing this on, 5 friends that cause me to think and my heart to grow are (in no certain order): Rhoda at Southern Hospitality, Autum at Creative Little Daisy, Rachelle from Seek First His Kingdom, Linda from Reminisce...and this and that, and Leigh Ann from The Pink Kitchen. The rules are that these friends will pass this award on to 5 of their friends that encourage and challenge them in their thinking. So many bloggers are worthy of this award!