Women Alive

If you are like me, when you think of having people over to your home, you do a quick inventory of the state of affairs. When is the last time I vacuumed? Did I finish tidying up that last project? Are my underclothes still air drying? (Hopefully not!) And, of course, our mind worries about the food – will we have enough? Will everyone be satisfied?

Cleanliness, order and food are important, but there are other issues of monumental importance.

Is our home a place where our guests will feel God’s peace? Will I be used as an instrument of God’s love today? Will I emulate compassion and grace? Will I give a listening ear? When my guests speak will I hear beyond their words to listen to the concerns of their hearts?

Opening our homes to guests provides us with a unique opportunity to bring blessing. We have the power and control over the home to make everything just right. While removing all the dust bunnies is a great ideal, creating an atmosphere of peace and loving kindness is more likely to reach our guests’ hearts.

I’ve been to homes where everything was in its perfect place, but I didn’t feel welcomed at all. I felt like I had been put in some competition, as though what I wore and everything I said was being scrutinized. I was soon anxious to leave!

But I’ve been to other homes, some perfectly clean, some not so much, where I was warmly greeted and felt honoured from the first moment. The host had put everything on hold to make sure I felt comfortable and had a wonderful time.

A good friend of mine has the habit of watching for a moment to take me aside to encourage and build me up every time I visit her home. Many times, these moments have come in the midst of a house full of people, of kids running around or of food and drinks being served. Whereas most hosts would have their minds on making sure everything is just so, and their hands busy at work, my friend has learned to take advantage of moments to bless others, regardless of when those moments show up.

I’m not sure she is even aware of her habit, but I sure am! I look forward to it every time I visit her. I know that no matter what the occasion (and it’s often a business meeting or large gathering), I will be built up and leave feeling encouraged with words that give me much to think about in the following days.

How great when we open up not just our homes, but our hearts, too!