I only ask because I wonder if my home is inviting. I wonder if people feel at ease and welcome when they come into my home. Or are they really doing their best not to climb out of their skin? When I had my first house, I had things very “proper” . A formal living room, a more casual family room, each room served the purpose given in their title. Four kids later, what should be our family room, is a school room that tends to always look a bit cluttered. What should be a formal living room is our one and only family room. To say the least, we are not very traditional around here any more. For Pete’s sake I have a couch in my kitchen! It’s there in my efforts the maximize the home we have for us, and for our guests. Usually the couch in the kitchen gets used more than the one in the family room! The kiddos love to sit there and chat with me while I am working in the kitchen. When company comes for dinner, they have a comfy place to sit while we chat and I finish dinner. Making changes to our home that work for us has been one of the best things I have ever done.
Of course the number one factor in making people feel welcome is my attitude when they show up at my door. Am I excited to see them, or frustrated at an interruption? Are they early or late, and my attitude shows that I am totally put out by it? Regardless of the way my house looks, my attitude is probably the bigger issue. Am I following the 2nd greatest commandment to “Love my neighbor as myself”? Hmmm…
My home will likely never look like something out of Martha Stewart, or Better Homes and Gardens. But, I try to make it a place where everyone who comes through the door feels welcome and at ease. I’m not quite sure how I am doing at it, but people keep coming, so I must be on the right track!
I wish my home was more inviting. I am so afraid to have people over to my home because it is just that…a home where we really live. I do not have a house keeper any longer so I think my attitude keeps people away…I am so apologetic about the condition of my home that I think that keeps people out…I don’t mean to…it just does. I don’t mind when people visit. I love for people to visit me…they just don’t. HHMMMMM?! I don’t want to think about that too long…I might get depressed! :(