With Thanks to Lisa-Jo Baker

Repeat after me:

1. I shall not wait for my house or my life to be perfect before inviting someone in.
2. I shall remember that big hospitality has nothing to do with the size of my house.
3. I shall not judge my house, my Holidays or my gift wrapping skills by Pinterest’s standards.
4. I shall tell myself that no one ever did actually die of embarrassment from a small or messy space. And that missing out on community is a much worse kind of dying.
5. I shall not compare myself to others’ traditions, decor or gifts, but find my identity in the God who came to *be* the gift to me.
6. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly off key carols.
7. I shall accept that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.
8. I shall remember that guests will only feel as comfortable in my home as I feel in my own skin.
9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.
10. I shall remember that there’s no shame in paper plates if they’re heaped high with delight in each others’ company.
11. I shall give my friends the gift of comparison-free friendship.
12. I shall pause between preparations to savor the celebrations.
13. I shall remember that hospitality is about opening the door, not about how fancy the furniture, decor or dishes.
14. I shall treat my family with the same grace I offer my guests.
15. I shall treat myself with the same grace I offer everyone else.
16. I shall leave the dishes and lean into the conversations.
17. I shall not focus on fear of appearances but on fully opening my arms to my friends and family.
18. I shall not be intimidated by how the holidays, the turkey, the tree or the memories “should” be celebrated but love the people I’m celebrating with instead.
19. I shall welcome my kids into the decorations, preparations, and celebrations.
20. I shall remember that I want you here. Whether I’m perfectly ready or not. Just the way you are. Which will likely mean most days, I must open the door just the way I am too.

~ with love from one tired, happy mother to another.

From Lisa-Jo Baker with much gratitude!

Thankful Thursday -- December 2, 2010

I'm a little later than usual posting today.

But I have a good reason.

And that reason is a big part of my Thankful Thursday.

I'm on my way to San Francisco with my dh!

The really cool part?

I'm doing this blog from the airplane!

How fun is that!?!

Dh has a business trip and invited me to come along

for an impromptu vacation for just the two of us.

One of the benefits of my children growing up has been

the opportunities to take these little get aways.

I really like to travel, but I tend to feel guilty about too many

vacations and trips just for fun.

Dh is working on helping me break that habit.

Guilt is a continuing hold over from childhood sexual abuse.

My kids tease and say I feel guilty for global warming! 

That may be an exaggeration, but perhaps only slightly!

So for today, I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore new places.

But I'm especially grateful for my dh who makes it all possible.

Blessings of the Season!

Look for more Thankful Thursday post @ Grace Alone.

Thankful Thursday -- October 14th

On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for:

1. An expected and pleasant call from dd last night.

2. Less self imposed guilt for not having "it" all together.

3. Some time on Tuesday with my bff, LBB. It is so wonderful to have a friend in my life who knows everything about me and still likes me! Thirty plus years and counting, and she still chooses to spend time with me!

4. Beautiful fabric to match 2 coordinating fabrics I came across in my stash recently. Now if I can just get the bag made before fall is over. LOL!

5. More lovely autumn weather and a good soaking rain yesterday. We have been pretty dry around here, so the rain was good for the earth, as well as my soul.


May your Thankful Thursday be full of blessings. Check out Spiritually Unequal Marriage for more sharing of gratitude.