31 Days: Entertaining Strangers

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2 

When you say “yes” to God, allowing him to teach you about outrageous hospitality, he doesn’t disappoint. How could I possibly write a 31 day series on hospitality and not have the opportunity to host overnight guests, right?

I’m welcoming friends from out of town today. I say friends loosely because if I said, I’m about to welcome strangers in for the night, you might think me mad. Plus, they are friends I just don’t know them. I mean, I know them. But, I don’t know them, know them. Know what I mean? {cue more coffee}

Last year, at the Re:Write Conference in San Diego I met Krista. We immediately bonded at the conference, like we-are-so-gonna-be-friends-kindred-spirit connected. We chat regularly, text often, and do life together as best as you can from Austin to Coeur d’Alene. Pretty sure Krista is the first person I’ve ever known from Idaho. The Re:Write Conference kicks off tomorrow and this year it’s in Austin. Krista flies in today and is bringing her friend Tammy, whom I’ve never met. The girls are staying with us tonight and I can’t wait.

The house is a mess and my legs aren’t shaved {yet!}, but you know what? It doesn’t matter. In between shuffling the Littles to practices, guitar lessons, and an emergency trip to the dentist for two broken brackets, I’ll put fresh sheets on the guest bed {borrowed from Mia, btw!}, brighten up the house with flowers, and make an easy and delicious crockpot supper. For every little thing I do today to ready the house, there will be a million and one things left undone.

The point is you will never be fully ready to host overnight guests. Or throw a backyard fête. Or invite neighbors over for supper. Or, or, or. . .

If we waited for our houses and heads to be “ready”, we’d miss the boat! However, if we ready our hearts, we will most certainly be blessed by the opportunity to entertain angels. 

While I make up a big batch of Maple Vanilla Granola, y’all visit Krista at Meaning in a Minute and Tammy at graceuncommon. You’ll be blessed.

Maple Vanilla Granola

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This simple homemade granola is a perfect way to start the day.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix oats, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and flaxseed.
3. In another bowl, stir together the oil, maple syrup, honey, and vanilla.
4. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and stir together until well combined.
5. Spread the granola mixture evenly onto prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
7. Cool completely. Crumble granola into big chunks and small bits.

Day #17 Table Talk: Have you ever hosted strangers overnight?