Of all the things I miss about “normal” life, the one I miss most is having people over for dinner. Whether it’s a dinner party or collection of leftovers, we mark the weekend with friends around our table. Ironically, when the season of social distance is over, I want a full day alone and dinner surrounded by friends.
I’ve been rereading Andi Ashworth’s Real Love for Real Life. In it, she cites Karen Mains’s distinction between entertaining and hospitality. “Entertaining says I want to impress you with my beautiful home, my clever decorating, my gourmet cooking. Hospitality, however, seeks to minister.”
I know for a fact that I’ve never impressed anyone with my decorating, but the reminder was still impactful. I realize that I don’t need to wait for the end of a pandemic to show hospitality. I can provide food for my friends and neighbors, create beautiful spaces in my yard, and share words of encouragement with people I care for.
It’s not the same as laughing with friends over breakfast for dinner on a Friday night, but it’ll do for now.