Ep 159 A Legacy of Hosting Family at the Holidays (And Surviving. With Joy.)

I love the holidays and I love family. And mostly, I love them at the same time!

These 5 tips help me not only survive hosting family at the holidays, but actually enjoy it. As believers, we have God as our greatest peace and resource for joy. He's in our details and sometimes we need to do some planning to make things run more smoothly so that we can focus on what matters: Jesus and our people.

1. Life is easier if I my “To-Do” list is shortened by half on the same day Uncle Tom, Dick and Harry arrive at the door needing coffee and a muffin.
2. You may not need a “hosting planner” but you do need a planning system, if only using paper and a pencil with an eraser.
3. A practical way to create gracious boundaries is to limit the number of traditions.
4. The most important part of preparations is preparing my heart.
5. Asking questions and listening to the answers may not be what you think of when preparing to host family, but it can be our biggest act of love and service.
6. As much as I want to be all things to all people, I’m wise to know my limits and, when necessary, let others know. 

Here are 5 tips we will cover in today's podcast:

• MAKE A PLAN
• MAKE BOUNDARIES
• MAKE PREPARATIONS
• MAKE IT FUN
• MAKE IT MEANINGFUL

 

God is concerned with what concerns you. He’s in the details and will help us all along the way.

 

Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

 

It's not too late to make your own Pilgrim Scavenger Hunt. This will help.

Conversation Starters on SHOP