Having an Open Home

Is it just me, or does it feel like there is a lot of pressure on moms, wives and women in general these days? Social media drives us to put our best face forward, appear composed, creative and picture perfect. It’s utterly exhausting. 

I feel like this weight keeps many of us from being open. Not only does it keep the doors of our homes shut, but the doors of our hearts. And our homes are supposed to be a breeding ground for authenticity and a safe place for self-expression.

Many of us feel if our home isn’t spotless, dinner isn’t homemade and we don’t have a fresh vase of peonies on the table, we shouldn’t host. I personally get this hang up. I understand the feelings of inadequacy when my house is covered in clothes and toys and dinner is take out once again.

I don’t want anyone to see that side of my home or my heart. I don’t like what I imagine that says about me as a mom, wife or woman in general.

But what better picture for people to see than that which is real, vulnerable and most of all human? God is not asking us to be anyone other than our normal, human selves.

“HE IS NOT ASKING US TO SHARE ANYTHING OTHER THAN OUR MOST IMPERFECT, UNSCRIPTED LIVES DAY TO DAY WITH EACH OTHER.”

That is after all where the beauty happens. Where the good belly laughs billow and memories are made. Where the real tears flow and bear hugs melt away your hard days. 

The pressure is off friends. And people want to see the real us. People want to laugh and cry and talk with us. When we cease striving and open our hearts and homes, we can be a catalyst for vulnerability and authenticity in our communities, something desperately needed in the church today. You are allowed to not be picture perfect. You are allowed to not have it all together. You are allowed to be human.

I would encourage you this week to call someone and invite them over. Don’t worry if the house isn’t perfect and if you have to order a pizza — just open your home and let people come.

Open your heart and let people in. Let true friendship be birthed beneath the surface even if you aren’t in the place to have an “Instragramable” dinner party. Let’s begin to rethink hospitality as more than a perfect gathering or place to stay, and see it as lives shared.

Who will you share your life with this week?