Jen Schmidt - Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation

Are you one of those people who wishes you could be more hospitable, but the thought of opening your home scares you? Maybe you feel like you dont have a big enough home or you arent a great cook or youre just plain freaked out by reaching out and inviting someone. (Will they think Im weird? What if they say no?)

I get it... because thats been me so many times too! And thats why Jens book left me crazy convicted and inspired. In her down-to-earth style, she gives you the inspiration and motivation you need to baby step out of your comfort zone and get brave enough to open the door to your home and your heartno matter the size of your home or your budget!

Crystal Paine, founder of MoneySavingMom.com and New York Times best-selling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode

What I love most about this book is that, in addition to countless creative ideas and wonderful hospitality tips, Jen gives us a bigger perspective of what it means to live a life of welcome! Instead of feeling guilty because I dont invite people over as much as I want to, Just Open the Door gave me hope by showing me how to live a life of hospitality on the go. Im so grateful for this gift of grace that has helped me see hospitality is about making a difference right where we are with what we already have!

Renee Swope, best-selling author of A Confident Heart and former radio cohost, Proverbs 31 Ministries

If the mere mention of hostessing makes you want to pull your blinds, lock the door, or dive under the table, dont panic. Just Open the Door offers an unexpected but encouraging invitation for all of us.

With humor and grace, stories, and solid scripture, Jen gently reshapes what we think hospitality has to look like and opens the door to consider what radical biblical hospitality feels like.

Jen invites us into this conversation just as we are (bedlam and all), but I guarantee if we take the message to heart, we wont stay the same. Just Open the Door is a gift that will leave you refreshed, challenged, and inspired to live a life of welcome and worship in your home and neighborhood!

Melissa Michaels, creator of The Inspired Room blog, New York Times best-selling author of Love the Home You Have , Make Room for What You Love , and Simple Gatherings

Theres no one Id rather follow through the door of hospitality than my dear friend Jen Schmidt. Come open your heart to her message of Gods grace and His goodness. Soak up these pages and learn from our lovable teacher that the practice of hospitality does not have to be a burden. There is more rest and joy waiting than we have known. Just open this book and let your soul receive its wisdom. Let your heart laugh and be light. Let your life be stirred to love others more like Christ has already loved us.

Angela Thomas Pharr, Bible teacher and best-selling author of Redeemed: Grace to Live Every Day Better Than Before

Finally, a hospitality book for all of us good enough is good enough gals! Jen is everyones big sister when it comes to giving us the much-needed nudge to quit sweating the dcor and just start opening the door. Whether that ends up looking like potluck on paper plates or fine dining by candlelight, her focus is always on the people more than the place settings, and thats whats made all the difference in my own real-life, everyday invitations!

Lisa-Jo Baker, best-selling author of Never Unfriended and Surprised by Motherhood

Through her blog, her conference, and her friendship, Jen has always inspired me to be more intentional about parenting and running my home without feeling like it all needs to be perfect. Equal parts encouragement and motivation, Just Open the Door makes us realize that being hospitable doesnt have to be complicated.

Ruth Soukup, New York Times best-selling author of Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life and Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul

Full of grace, relatability, and permission, Jens message of encouragement is one every reluctant hostess longs to hear. For anyone who continues to put off having people over until next time, Just Open the Door is your new mantra.

Myquillyn Smith, The Nester, author of The Nesting Place and The Cozy Minimalist Home

This wonderful book will redefine what hospitality truly is. Jen brilliantly shows that it isnt limited to large groups and big parties but can also be one-on-one interaction, coffee and heartfelt conversation with a dear friend.

Just Open the Door is a gift. It will help you finally break away from the bondage of self-doubt and excuses to become the hostess youve always dreamed of being!

Christy Jordan, publisher of SouthernPlate.com, best-selling cookbook author, and TV personality

Copyright 2018 by DaySprings Card, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-4336-4307-1

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 395

Subject Heading: ENTERTAINMENT \ FEMALE FRIENDSHIP \ EVANGELISTIC WORK

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Also used: The Message ( msg ), copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Also used: The Voice Bible ( Voice ), copyright 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice translation 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Also used: New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Also used: English Standard Version ( esv ), Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Also used: New King James Version ( nkjv ), copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Also used: New American Standard Bible ( nasb ), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Because of my mom and dad, who first opened the door to me.

To Gregg, my husband, my love, the faithful servant who makes this house a home.

In honor of my sweet blessings: Taylor, Matthew, David, Abby, and Emma. May you continue this legacy of open-door living and point others to Him. You are my next chapter.

Introduction

In the Beginning, Just Start

A s I think back on where my legacy of hospitality started, my memories surround our childhood doorway.

I cant really describe it in great detail. Thats how little its appearance even mattered. But I do remember its purpose. It housed both a storm door and a screen door. The heavy door kept out the brutal Wisconsin winter, while the other door contained a large screen for those rare days when we captured the magic of spring and summer.

My favorite days growing up? The ones when that screen door announced action.

Slam. In.

Slam. Out.

Id hear it again. Slam. Slam.

In or out? my moms voice echoed through the house. Please stop slamming the door. To me, though, that slam was never one of annoyance. Its recurring sound breathed life. It meant things were happening.

Dropping their mud-covered bikes on our grass, kids stormed through the door hoping my brothers could play.

Slam.

A neighbor lady popped her head in, asking for an extra egg.