You know that scene in Good Will Hunting where Robin William's character just keeps saying over and over again, "it's not your fault, it's not your fault..." ? That's what I wish I could come into all of your living rooms today to do with this truth: that you are enough.
And then when your mind starts to wander to all the ways you feel you are failing I would say it again, you are enough.
Because you are. You are enough. You aren't perfect. You don't have your sh*t together. Nobody does. But you are enough.
We waste our lives trying to excel at meaningless things, trying to live up to a lie that we need always clean houses and always gourmet meals and that we never wear paint splattered pajamas at four in the afternoon. And we push other women away because we think that everything we have to offer of ourselves isn't enough.
Friend, you are enough.
So yes, sure, set the table pretty and scrub the floors and plan the perfect menu if it makes you happy, but don't think for a second that those things make you worthy of deep meaningful relationships or will add value to you or make your day more worthwhile. They are good things that may make your guests smile, but without them, you are enough.
Because sometimes the most hospitable thing we can do is open our door in our pajamas and invite a friend in for a store bought muffin (this grace was extended to me just this week and I was truly blessed.)
So open the door, friends. Because the dirt on the floor, the dishes in the sink, the holes in your heart and the snappy tone in your voice: this is life, this is humanity, perfect is a lie and you are enough.
You are enough.
This is day 14 in a series about simple hospitality. Click here to see more.
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Awesome.
ReplyDeleteWell I had my potluck autumn lunch yesterday and it was fantastic. We had pumpkin soup, cheese and pickle pasties and pumpkin cupcakes (with your spice recipe). And we had the best time. It was not fine dining or silver service and nobody cared. Everyone just kept saying what a lovely idea, to have a get together for no reason at all. Smiles all round and doing it again next month! Sam xxx
ReplyDelete"the holes in your heart", that's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo well put and encouraging! I think we all need to hear this every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteSo THANKFUL for everyone I've crossed paths with in blogland.
Yes, yes yes!
Thank you for your lovely posts. When I was struggling after my first child last year I discovered that the simple acts of washing my hair and making my bed made me feel better. Now I clean (not perfectly by any means. my carpet so needs vacuuming) not because of what anyone else may think or how they might judge me but because I am starting to view it as a method of self-care. Not that the toddler lets me keep much order but little things are making me happier than ever, like hot water and soap and doing the dishes while singing with my son.
ReplyDeleteKeep your posts coming. Your voice is a blessing to many.
Thank you Kelly-we all need to hear this. Hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. It is beautiful. And we had people over last night last minute, didn't try to hard on the fixings, and it was so fun! Thanks for the encouragements.
ReplyDeleteThat made me tear up, I needed to hear it so much today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. Thank you for that. I've been starting to work myself into a small frenzy thinking about the holidays coming up. This is a wonderful reminder that the important part is to spend time with those you love.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you. I needed to hear that after this week. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I have recently written a piece of hospitality on my blog too; I definitely had to be enough that day and thankfully my guests were very gracious. I love the frills of homemaking but when my friends call me Bree of DH fame I always say - no, I'm more of a Susan trying to be a Bree! God bless!
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mrsdbliss.blogspot.com
Mmmmmmm. This was timed so well. Last night I invited friends over for a meal of homemade wild rice soup and homemade bread. It turned into a meal of frozen BBQ chicken pizza, frozen sweet potato fries, and frozen chicken tenders. Basically, anything that was already prepared that I could find as I dug through the freezer. My daughter spilled water all over the floor during the meal which mixed nicely together with the crumbs I had not swept up, and I didn't have enough chairs for all my guests because one was occupied by a high chair. It was hard to let others come into the imperfection, but my night was richly blessed because of their company. Reading this blog post today feels like a friend rubbing my back gently and saying, "See, it's okay. What you did was fine. This is LIFE." Thanks for your timely post. It spoke to me today.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. This is something I've been struggling with the last few months. Thanks for writing it so clearly & simply.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. A gift to your readers :) very lovely and true. It is so hard to be easy on yourself sometimes and not constantly seek perfection. Especially when entertaining or doing anything for other people. You want to please them, gain their approval or just simply give them something magical. Something Ive had to teach and constantly remind myself is that in life often the best things we recieve arnt perfectly polished and presented... things being real and simple and even a little rough round the edges sometimes are often the most warm and loving. Same with people too more often than not! Perfection is a myth and it is great to hear it from someone else on such a lovely blog. Thank you :) All the best to you and your new blog too.xx
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