Review: Just Open the Door

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

Publication Date: 04/10/2018
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Imprint: B&H Books
Genre: Christian
Pages: 224
ISBN-13: 978-1433643071

(Received for an honest review from B&H Books via Netgalley)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Jen Schmidt on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Ladie's you really need to check Jen's website out, it is amazing!

Excerpt from Just Open the Door, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside Feature

Synopsis:

Change a generation with something as simple as an invitation.

For many of us, inviting people into our lives and homes feels more like inviting judgment on our entertaining skills and stress on our already maxed-out schedules. But what if you knew that opening your front door had the power to radically change the world? To make an impact and leave a legacy with everyday invitations?

Jen Schmidt has set out to reframe how we think about hospitality and to equip us to walk a road of welcome in our daily lives. Jen knows that every time we choose open-door living—whether in our homes or by taking hospitality on the road just like Jesus—those we invite in get to experience the lived-out Gospel, our kids grow up in a life-lab of generosity, and we trade insecurity for connection.

Just Open the Door is a personal yes-you-can guide to offering the life-changing gift of invitation. Whether you’re a seasoned host looking for renewed inspiration or a nervous newbie not sure where to begin, these personal stories, practical ideas, and poignant insights will give you the confidence you need to see your home as the most likely location for changing the world around you, one open door at a time.

Thoughts:

I don't know about you guys but when it comes to hospitality and entertaining, I always feel like that's somebody else's niche, not mine. I think about all reasons not to do it and not all of the reasons to do it. Jen Schmidt's new book, Just Open the Door has a completely take on what it means to open your door to other people. It's more about them than it is about you. With tons of practical advice and tips, this a must read for anyone who wants to not only entertain but to connect with other people. 

What I liked:

There were so many things I liked about this book. When I found out I had the opportunity to read and review Just Open the Door, I will admit I was skeptical. Not because I thought it wouldn't be a good book, I knew it would. I love Jen's blog and her style and I was positive it would be both a good read but very practical and spiritually based. But, I'm not that person that invites people over. I'm a book reader, an introvert at times and I like quiet and solitude most of the time. Calm and zen. That's what I need to focus and to keep my anxiety at a tolerable level. But let me tell you, this book blew me away. 

Jen was able to make me, one of the least likely people to invite others over, want to do so. I always worry about having enough food, the right furnishings. I want things to be perfect and lets face it, they usually aren't. But Just Open the Door is more focused on what you are doing for others by letting them into your home and life than what it's doing for you. We often times are so worried about what other people would think of what we have and don't have to realize what an encouraging and thoughtful thing it is to let someone in.

I was so encouraged by the way Jen Schmidt made it seem so easy in every aspect. She talks about everything from introverts to neighboring. She gives practical tips and ideas and relates everything back to spiritual principles. I had never even thought of hospitality in this way before. We live in such a socially conscious world. It's all about social media and presenting your best face to the world. We have gotten away from being connected to each other and spending good quality time together. 

I loved the humor and practicality of this book as well. You'll have to read it to figure out what the "Bra and the Broom" method is lol... I related to this book so much. I see all of these great things on Pinterest, like table settings and ideas for entertaining and I'm like... there's no way I can do that. But this book shows you that people are more interested in the fact that you want to spend time with them. They don't care what your table looks like. I loved it!

What I didn't like:

There wasn't anything about this book that I didn't like. I know that some of you might think, so this is a Christian book and probably not my thing. Listen, it is based on spiritual teachings and for me that was wonderful, but it is not a book that is preachy or overbearing. Schmidt is able to make this subject relate to simply anyone and that's the beauty of it.

Bottom Line:

Even if you think, you can't just open your door, this book proves you can. It's okay to let people in. It's okay to make them feel like you want them in your home and your life. I can't recommend this one enough. Such a great lesson in what it means to be hospitable. Also, if you haven't checked out Jen's website, I encourage you to do so. It's amazing!

Just Open the Door is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Jen Schmidt: For the last decade, Jen Schmidt has been encouraging, challenging, and cheering on women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives on her popular lifestyle blog, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. With a variety of topics—from easy dinner ideas and personal finance to leaving a legacy—Jen equips others to live life to its fullest, reminding them it's the little things that really are the big things in life. A popular speaker, worship leader and founder/host of the annual Becoming Conference, Jen shares with humor and authenticity as she invites others to join her on this bumpy, beautiful life journey. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, five children, a few too many animals, and an available sofa for anyone who needs it.