Recently several of us were recalling special touches of class our mothers practiced.
My mother had a gift for last-minute inspiration. She worked, managed a big house, raised three kids, and loyally supported her high-pressure husband, who invariably involved us all in his choirs, recitals, retirement schemes, and other plans. Consequently, her entertaining was off the cuff, spur of the moment.
I lovingly recall the clean-the-refrigerator affairs on Sunday evening after church. The food was served hodge-podge on the kitchen table, but it had a personality all its own—the oyster stew suppers eaten off trays before the log-laden fire, the summer watermelon wedges glowing pink, green, and pearl piled in a basket.
David remembers his mother always serving beautifully. Mom is a woman with incredible energy who has established what for most would be impossible standards. She serves even casual snacks with placemats. Her home is a visual delight.
I once asked my husband if he remembered her in anything but high heels, and he laughed with the memory of her scrubbing a floor in heels and earrings looking like a queen. This is flair that is organized, controlled, and splendid.
It is classic Oriental antiques and polished surfaces and mellow lighting. “Nothing is worth doing without doing well.” It is a treat. Someone else commented on how his mother had served playmates peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—cut in wedges, resting on a white doily which was perched on a silver plate. That is definitely flair.
We each will develop our own style, but let us do it with delight, remembering Who is the source of these waiting-to-be-discovered homemaking triumphs.
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For decades, Karen Mains and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. The are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and churches at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Karen has long had an interest in Christian hospitality and is the author of the best-selling book, Open Heart, Open Home.
An award-winning author of several other books, Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
In addition, pastors will find special resources to help them create effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
