Ready to receive.

Years ago a woman I greatly admire divulged a few secrets for how she manages to be so pulled-together all the time.

Number one on her list was something she called ‘ready to receive’ — her house was picked up, clean and ready for guests by 10 a.m. every day.

Every day.

At the time it seemed like a great idea, but I’ve never been very consistent in following it. My life tends to be messy and more often than not, my house is her version of ‘ready to receive’ only when I have at least a 24-hour advance notice.

And sometimes not even then.

Today an old friend was in the neighborhood and stopped by unexpectedly. I’d started the day at 6 a.m. working on a client project, which meant I didn’t even shower until 11. When she came to the door I was in my bathrobe with a towel wrapped around my head. I was mortified, but I invited her in and we had a great time catching up.

After she left and I returned to my kitchen, I noticed with dismay the dirty plates piled in the sink, the mail and grocery bags on the island, the couch pillows strewn on the floor. I immediately set to work washing dishes and clearing piles, mentally scolding myself for not being ready to receive.

Then it dawned on me – in the past I’d have greeted my friend at the door, pointed to the towel on my head and suggested we get together another time.

But this time I didn’t.

And I realized that ‘ready to receive’ means something a little different to me now: my home is always open to those I care about, ‘ready’ or not.

Photo credit: ‘Leave’ Doormat@ 9timezones.com, Anikó J. Bartos and Alan C. Baird