How to Keep Hospitality Simple This Fall

Friend, can I let you in on a little secret? For years, I thought hospitality meant having the perfect table setting, a spotless house, and food worthy of a magazine cover. Honestly, that pressure kept me from inviting people in as often as I wanted. I cringe at the times I’ve missed out.

But the older I get, the more I realize hospitality isn’t about impressing. I’ll admit I’ll never be a Martha Stewart. Hospitality is about welcoming. It’s about opening the door, no matter what your living room looks like, and making space for people to feel loved and seen. Hospitality comes from the heart. But if running the vacuum over your living room carpet makes you feel better, go for it.

First Peter 4:9 reminds us, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Isn’t that freeing? God isn’t asking us for perfection. He’s asking us to open our hearts and homes with joy.

Some of the best gatherings I’ve ever attended were the simplest. There were paper plates, mismatched cups, and a big pot of something warm on the stove. Sometimes I’ve even had a meal with a family while sitting on the floor. People didn’t remember what I served; they remembered the laughter, the prayers, and the way they felt cared for.

Hospitality doesn’t need to drain us. It can actually refresh us when we let go of perfection and focus on presence.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to serve, here’s one of my go-to fall meals: a pot of red beans and rice (see below for the recipe), cornbread on the side, and a big bowl of cut fruit. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and everyone can scoop and serve themselves. Add a pitcher of sweet tea, and you’re good to go.

The real gift is the time you spend together. Priceless, right?

So, if you’ve been hesitating to invite someone over because your house isn’t “ready” or your schedule feels too full, let me encourage you: start small. Invite a friend for coffee. Host one family for dinner. Order pizza if you need to. What matters most is the love around your table, not the look of it.

Let’s reflect:

1. What holds you back from opening your home to others?

2. How can you keep hospitality simple and joy-filled this season?

Remember:

Hospitality is less about the table and more about the heart around it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of community. Help me open my heart and home with joy, showing Your love through simple meals and warm welcomes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Here’s the recipe for red beans and rice. Enjoy!

Creole Red Beans & Rice (Meatless – 6 Servings)

Ingredients

• 2 (15 oz) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 ½ cups cooked long-grain white rice (about ¾ cup uncooked before cooking)

• ½ cup diced celery

• ½ cup diced green bell pepper

• ½ cup diced onion

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp Creole seasoning (or to taste)

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 ½ cups vegetable broth (or water, adjust thickness)

• ½ tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• 1 tsp fresh parsley or green onion, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare rice separately (about ¾ cup uncooked → 1 ½ cups cooked). Keep warm.

2. In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes.

3. Stir in garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes to bloom spices.

4. Add beans, broth, and bay leaf. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Thicken:

   • For creamy beans: mash ½ cup beans in the pot and stir back in.

   • For thicker texture: whisk 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp cold water, stir into beans, simmer 2–3 more minutes.

6. Remove bay leaf, taste, adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley or green onion.

7. Spoon beans over rice or serve side by side.

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Regina is a writer, homeschooling mom, and owner of a comfort food catering business. A contributor to several publications, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.