Southern Hospitality

Southern Hospitality

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Several years ago, Kendra and I left behind our crisp Minnesota fall to experience a weekend of breakfast grits, sweet potato desserts, and even sweeter Southern hospitality.

It was our first experience at a writers’ conference, and it was a little nerve-racking. As we tucked ourselves into the front seat of the hotel shuttle bus, we casually listened to those around us telling their stories. Listening to the amazing accomplishments of the poised, polished women, I could feel my eyes widen and my heart drop.

What are we doing here? I wondered to myself. We are way out of our league! Some of the women had eye-popping social media followings, while others had numerous book deals under their belts. One of our roommates even had her DIY house featured in Country Living magazine. How could we possibly compete with all that talent?

But once we got past the fancy résumés, we realized that we were in a safe space. Over salads and sweet tea and even into the wee hours of the night, we talked to our new friends about health troubles and herbs, babies and teenagers, communities in need of help and social justice causes we cared about. Once I pushed my own insecurities out of the way, what I found was that each woman we encountered was real. Each woman was flawed, each woman doubted herself and her talents, each one worried about finances and parenting. Each one loved, lived, and dreamed just like us, and the weekend was proof that despite their shiny, polished images, each one needed encouragement just as much as we did.

Dreams are something most people don’t ask about, something you strive for in stolen moments late at night or in the cracks of the day, alone. Scripture encourages us to motivate one another to acts of love and good works, but that’s only possible if we can overcome our own insecurities in order to cheer on those around us. Let’s resolve to be women who cheer wildly for others, spurring them on with love and friendship.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Encourage a friend in their pursuit of a dream.