Home is Where You Feel Wanted

People do strange things sometimes.  At least that’s how it seems until you find out why.

While in college, I found it odd that a childhood friend visited my family before her own when she returned to town during university holidays. Even on short weekend breaks she’d find a way to spend her first moments with my folks. Years later I found out why.

One day she confided, “When I walk into your home everyone gets up, greets me with a warm “hello” or “hey!” and wraps me up in a bear size hug. When I walk into my home, no one even bothers to stop what they’re doing.  It’s not that my family doesn’t love; it’s just that your family shows love. Your family makes me feel like a big deal.”

Home is where you’re made to feel like a big deal. More than welcome, you are wanted.

When my husband, JP, was in seminary, he learned what he and I now affectionately term “The Three Minute Rule”.  Studies show the first three minutes of every human interaction— the first three minutes of the morning, the first three minutes at the office, the first three minutes when family comes home—these 180 seconds set the tone of your communication for the rest of the day.  It’s not that a negative tone can’t be course corrected—it can—but it’s a lot harder to make a negative interaction positive than keep a positive interaction positive.

But how? In the midst of demands, duties and daily routines, how do regular people like you and me make sure our loved ones feel loved?

I’m guest posting over at (in)courage today. To read the rest of the story click here . If you’ve never checked out their site, you’re in for a treat. It’s MAJOR. Click here to keep reading. 

Also, you can sign up here to receive free daily encouragement from the writers of (in)courage, right in your inbox!

I’m also offering a FREE download called “Seven Days to a Happier Home” here on this website. Check it out!