Why I Am Always Ready for Company

“I would love to be that woman whose house is always ready for company. That would make me feel like I had it all together.”

I’ll never forget hearing one of my co-workers make that statement years ago. Several of us were sharing conversation over lunch, and somehow this became the topic.

I remember one lady being almost embarrassed to admit that her house was pretty much company ready all the time. Another lady defended her messy house with the reasoning that having children makes a tidy house impossible.

I thought to myself, “If I’m not that woman, I want to be!” What about you? Do you want to be that woman?

My standard for a house that is “ready for company” is:

• Clean bathroom – plenty of toilet paper
• Organized laundry room – more clean clothes put away in bedrooms than dirty clothes piled on the floor
• Tidy bedroom – bed made, clothes put away and not falling out of the closet
• Clean kitchen – no dishes in the sink or dish drainer, clean countertops and a plate of baked goods or snacks
• Tidy living room – pillows straightened, rug vacuumed, no cat hair on the chairs

Aren’t these similar to the things you’d do when company is coming? We want people to feel comfortable, to not be put in awkward situations, and to have their needs met while in our homes. That’s why we clean the kitchen, put away laundry, stock the toilet paper and provide tasty treats.

Don’t we want the same things for our families?

I want my house to always be “ready for company” because my family is more important than company! Currently my husband is the only other person in my home, so here are a few ways I do that for him:

• I want my husband to feel comfortable in our home, so I make sure there’s room for his airpods and night time reading in his night stand.
• I don’t want my husband to be put in awkward or unpleasant situations in our home, so I empty the bathroom trash can frequently during a certain time of the month.
• I want my husband to have his needs met in our home, so I plan meals that he will enjoy. I make sure the kitchen is stocked with a few snacks and the breakfast foods he likes. I try to keep his work clothes clean and put away.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. Romans 12:10

If my house is “always ready for company,” it’s not because I have something to prove or because I possess super powers. It’s because I’ve chosen to give preference to my family and the place they call home. That’s why I strive to be that woman.

More Homemaking Inspiration:

• I Can’t Do Everything, But I Can Do Something (Homemaking Encouragement)
• How I Fight The Enemies of Homemaking
• Homemaking Extras To Make Quarantine More Enjoyable