Sunday Sentiments

 

In the last week, we’ve had the privilege of experiencing beautiful hospitality three times. Last Sunday, I told you about the fish boil and how we had the chance to eat outside at picnic tables under the shade of trees. We met new people and experienced new foods and adventures. It was grand.

            Then a couple of days ago, we went to date night at the flower patch, which I’ll tell you more about soon. Though the night before had been laden with storms and rain, the night we went was perfect in every way – sunny, warm, and not too buggy. The sun was beginning to set as we ate our dinner at a picnic table again – this time decorated with flowers from the patch. We enjoyed live piano music while we ate, and then we meandered through rows of flowers to create a bouquet for our home. Flower arranging might not be our first gift, but we had a lot of fun trying.

            Last night, our small group gathered and we celebrated a birthday while we were together. Our hosts had put together an amazing outdoor dining room, complete with a real tablecloth, thrifted teacups, and Anne of Green Gables centerpieces. (It wasn’t my party, but I sure enjoyed it.)

            All three meals were so different, but what they had in common was uncommon beauty.

            I read something on Instagram the other day (which I now wish I would have bookmarked) about how sometimes we feel guilty for wanting our homes to be beautiful – our lives to be beautiful – because it’s too much. It’s a “waste” of time and resources. The person posting reminded us that God loves beauty. We see it all around us in the world He made. He put in us a love of beauty!

            In the last week, we’ve experienced the beauty of:

Meeting new people

Eating food made with love

Enjoying the chance to eat outside in the sunshine and fresh air

Vibrant flowers

Music

Laughter

Friendship

Stories

Time away

A few moments in a whole different kind of world from everyday life

            Beautiful hospitality. It’s been a joy to experience it, and my heart hopes to be able to take what I’ve learned and share it with others in the days and weeks to come!