"We cleaned like mad for two weeks, and even bought a new chair. Then at the last minute the people who were supposed to stay with us for the weekend called to cancel. Sheesh, if they had any idea how hard we had worked to get ready, they would have come."

We both shrugged but then I wondered. They had no company but they sure had a pleasant home to enjoy. Was that such a loss?

The other night we visited with another couple, and I had a feeling they were being nicer to each other than they might have if we were absent. Is that a bad thing? Maybe after the door shut behind us the kinder tone continued.

When we host marriage groups in our home one thing is certain. I vacuum on Thursdays. The clutter gets tamed and the couch is relieved of shelf duty. I even dig through the cupboards for bowls of chocolate, chips and salsa. Not gourmet, but people eat it. And help themselves to seconds. 

Sprucing up our homes and behavior for guests may seem a tad forced, but if it gets us to take a few steps in the direction we wanted all along, I'll take it. 

I bet my friend and her husband are still sitting in the new chair. Maybe even together.