Customer Reviews

Open Heart, Open Home: The Hospitable Way to Make Others Feel Welcome & Wanted

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my earlier, mostly single, years--a bit younger than the author was when she wrote this book--I practiced a very open hospitality. What made me order this book, after being aware of it for 25 years, is that I was experiencing a current crisis in my own hospitality as a middle-aged woman with a family, grand-family and large community of friends. I didn't like that I had so 'tightened up' with my home. An introduction from the author written in this 1997 revised edition put my current feelings in perspective. She points out that we go through "cycles and seasons in our life of hospitality." Whew, there was hope. I was experiencing a cycle, but I was spiraling down with it. I recognized negative attitudes working against my heart of hospitality that I had to confront. Karen Mains helped me to pinpoint them, in not always so gentle a way. I had internal work to do, which is never pleasant. I have to admit that my house will probably never be as open as it was when I was in my 30s, but I am becoming more relaxed about welcoming guests--particularly unexpected ones--with open arms. The part of the book that helped me the most was to understand the difference between 'entertaining' and 'hospitality'. Over the years, as I increased in creativity in the home and out, much of my relaxed hospitality took on the pressure of 'entertaining'. Mains aptly points out the difference in a way that leads to the type of change I was looking for: being guest centered (serving) instead of self centered (impressing). The book is filled with myriad change-worthy points, both practical and spiritual, that will meet many women exactly 'where they live' to help produce the type of welcome they want their homes to extend.

I had read positive reviews of this book on a number of sites, but I was disappointed. There is very little practical, specific information in the book. There's a lot of vague talk about Biblical reasons to become more hospitable, and different types of hospitality (from welcoming home family members to fostering children), but very little specific advice about how to carry out this hospitality.

I could sum up everything I got out of this book in five pages or less.

I actually picked this book up at a yard sale. I love what she had to say so much I bought copies for all the ladies in my Sunday school class. This book isn't as much a how to(I think there are plenty of those)but why. Our homes are a ministry to those around us. The author really challenges alot of what we "think" hospitality is. There is too much to understand(at least for me) in one reading. I see why it can be used as study. I intend to buy copies for all my girls (We have 5 daughters and one daughter-in-law). There is a serious need for the teaching in this book and I'm glad it is in print. Thank you Karen Mains for listening to God and sharing with the rest of us.

Thought this was going to give me the ins and outs of opening my home. It did that, but it did more. If this is a ministry of yours and you'd like more Biblical teaching for further inspiration, you found it! enjoy! I'll keep this to read again... and again....

The lady seemed to really really like herself and her view points seemed very radical...in a way that would not be safe for families...