Gather and Give by Amy Hannon

 

Are you someone who likes to entertain at home? If you're like me, your answer is probably, not really. Gather and Give: Sharing God's Heart Through Everyday Hospitality by Amy Hannon offers a lot of wonderful encouragement and advice from the author.

If you want to entertain more but aren't sure where to start this book may help you. Hannon talks about how to offer up your home with whatever you have to offer. The book starts out with an introduction and then is divided into three parts:

Understanding Hospitality is the first section. In this section, I learned that hospitality isn't really an option if you believe the Bible. . .Rather it is a command. Hannon talks about that command and how she came to write this book to encourage readers to gather more. She says we can all do it well--and doing it perfectly just isn't necessary. Just because she has a restaurant, is a pastor's wife and all doesn't mean she is better at it than anyone else, she says. Well, there went my excuse! Seriously, I would love to have a meal with Hannon as I just feel like reading her book is like visiting with this lovely woman in a down-to-earth way. As I was reading Gather and Give, I never felt like she was above me even though I am sure, in spite of what she says that she could run circles around me in entertaining at home. Instead, she comes across as honest and straight-forward, while also being encouraging.

Demonstrating Hospitality is a section in Gather and Give that focuses on how hospitality can show the love of Jesus in many cases through the hands of those offering it. She offers some lovely examples of how this works. Hannon also shares how some of us have forgotten how to love in the world today with so many varying ideologies. I loved her story of buying a new dresser and the exchange between them and someone who likely believed differently than her and her husband. This was a favorite part of the book for me as I see family members and others around me judging people for believing differently rather than showing them the love of Jesus. For me, it was inspiring to read her story and see how people can relate to each other in spite of some of their differences.

Christ-Centered Hospitality is the third section and it focuses on using Jesus as our model of showing hospitality and love to others. Hannon uses a lot of Biblical stories to show how Jesus used food and entertaining in His ministry.

At the back of Gather and Give, Hannon has also has a handbook section with tips and helps to be a better entertainer. following the handbook, Hannon shares stories from various people with hospitality experiences in Tales from the Table. I loved all of these real life experiences. 

All the way through this book, Hannon is so down-to-earth and real. Her stories bring this woman to life for me and it all makes entertaining seem more realistic. I feel like she is serving me through this book and it makes me want to entertain more. 

At the end of each chapter of Gather and Give, there are questions to ask yourself, or maybe others within a small group or Bible study, some recipes, and tips to entertain. I really enjoyed this book. It is a keeper for my shelf. I think it is not only good for one person but would make a good book for a Bible study or small group--and what better way to practice hospitality or talk about it than together with other Christians. My only suggestion would be that they have a list of recipes in one place, either front or back of the book. That is a minor complaint on my part but the recipes included do look good.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through TLC tours. All opinions within this review are my own. 

About the Author

Amy Nelson Hannon is a preacher’s wife, a mom of three, and the woman behind an influential andexpansive hospitality brand. She owns Euna Mae’s, a one-of-a-kind kitchen shop and gathering room named after her grandmother that is a special place to locals and has become a destination for many near and far. In addition to her brick-and-mortar store, Amy is the heart of a broad media platform that has included a daily cooking show on Northwest Arkansas’ NBC affiliate, a food blog, a cookbook, partnerships with national brands, and engaging social media. Amy uses every opportunity to share a message of simple, biblical hospitality.

Amy’s infectious personality and love for Jesus and the table are inspiring households from coast to coast to embrace the message of intentional kitchening based on 1 Peter 4:8-11.