Let's get things straight. I'm no super missionary. I think that I need to explain that postpartum hostessing doesn't come naturally or necessarily inherently delightfully. In fact, my last blog entry may have just as easily read like this:
invite like crazy: work really hard to control my thoughts away from "I wish I didn't have to invite anyone; I wish instead that people would be calling me up and begging to come over and see us and the baby; why am I the one who always has to take the initiative in relationships? Surly, if I lived in (fill in your favorite city) this wouldn't happen to me!"
OR
entertain the guests: hold back the tears when two neighbors happen to drop in in the least opportune moment possible when my house is the messiest it has been all day (not even time to shove the dirty laundry under the couch) and my bacon is burning on the stove top and my boys are rude to the guests and all they talk about is what movies and video games they play (as if that is what they did all day! - - there goes my parenting reputation!)
what is true: Spaniards, who are normally hesitant to take the huge relational step of accepting an invitation into our home (and personal lives), are strangely and beautifully softened to do so when it involves a newborn. Understanding this, I am trying to make the choice to invite them in. And of course it is (almost always!) wonderfully fulfilling, not necessarily because I did such an amazing job hostessing, but because it has yielded good times with people.
6 comments:
I wish that we lived closer so that I could come over for some chocolate cake ( but I would probably stay too long chatting and doing those dishes of yours:-) It's good to know that you are normal but I have to say that I still admire you. You are an example to follow.
Rest up.
Caroline
I liked your candidness with us Naomi. Just in case we really DID think you were the perfect mother of a newborn and 2 active boys. Ha! You know its just as good sometimes for others to see where our weaknesses really are so that they know it really isn't OUR strength that we're able to do such things. I will be praying for grace during those difficult times of hostessing as well as opportunities for relationship building even in the midst of a seemingly chaotic household. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug right now.
I read between the lines of the previous post :) however, I'm still putting you up for that coveted award of "Super Missionary 2007". :P
I love you, my friends! you bless me.
just a warm reminder that this post was totally unnecesarry for clarification... :) we all know there are challenges being a human being and then being a human being who loves God and then being a human being that just bore a 3rd one in a different land, surrounded by different people with different ways of doing things. Thanx for muscling through the fallen humanness part to take advantage of the short window of opportunity! My original comment still stands...you're awesome!
I agree with everyone else. I didn't need the clarification, but I can identify with your narrative after having a family over this evening. and I only have one. Chris was late, I burnt the stew, we had no bread, etc...hilarious times. I admire that you just do what needs to be done, whether or not you feel like it. Everyone should have such character, I think.
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