“Open-Door Living” by Jen Schmidt

Book description from publisher:

“Open-Door Living is a gift book inviting you to replace the expectations and anxiety of hosting with encouragement and easy ways to welcome people into your home and point them to Christ. Jen Schmidt starts with an invitation to the heart of hospitality, then shares her best practical ideas to remove stress from four aspects of hosting: food, cleaning, atmosphere, and connection. Featuring beautiful graphics and devotional reflections, Open-Door Living will give you the confidence you need to share the gift of your home.”

My Review:

This is a 95 page gift book which has a beautiful hard-bound cover.  

The subtitle of the book is “Easy Ways to Share the Gift of Hospitality”, and that’s exactly what you find on these pages.  There’s a few tasty and easy recipes; simple but attractive decorating ideas; and some ways to set a welcoming atmosphere.  All the ideas and recipes are fairly simple and inexpensive. I’m not a person who does crafts, and I’m not an accomplished cook, but I would feel completely comfortable using any of these ideas. These ideas would work well for a small group, but could also be adapted for a larger gathering, too.

 The thing that sets this book apart from other books you might read is the author’s definition of Biblical hospitality: 

“Biblical hospitality offers our best to Him first, understanding that our best to others will then fall into place.  When the hospitable hostess swings wide the door, all her attention focuses upward and outward:

“You’re here!  I’ve been waiting for you, just as Christ waited for me.  No one is more important today than you, and I’m thrilled you’ve come.”

(quote from page 5)

The author contrasts this with simply entertaining and making in all about the hostess. “Come into my beautiful abode and have the honor of partaking of all the wonderful things I’ve spent hours getting done for you….How fortunate you are to be here.” (quote from page 5)

I was encouraged by this little book and I think you will be, too.  It would make a great gift for any woman in any season of life.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.