Having a Vision for HOME

Being home has an impact on our children.  It provides them with a feeling of stability and security.  We teach them manners, character, our Christian values, what the Bible says, and how to live and spend our time.  With the internet, they need more watching than ever before, at all ages.  Long hours of time at home teaches them to be content, gives them time to dream, and models for them how a Christian home functions differently than the rest of the world. 

We teach them how to care for the family home by doing chores with them.  We teach them how to be cheerful, and to be content with what the Lord provides.  We teach them financial principles.  We teach them how to make the most of what we have.  We bake with them, and teach them how to cook.  We kiss them, and we play games with them.  We read to them, and pray with them.  We are needed at home.

God called me to be a homemaker and I love to be at home.  Our house feels like a home.  Rooms are used and feel pleasant (though sometimes cluttered!).  I love having my fridge covered with artwork, photographs and magnets of places we’ve visited (how the magazines would despise my kitchen).  But my house feels homey and lived in – from my “Tiffany” lamps to my braided rugs covering hardwood floors that need refinishing.

Today was one of those perfect days.  The sun was shining, but there was a cool breeze coming in our open windows.  The neighborhood was quiet – no lawn mowers, no construction, no cars zooming down the street, no loud music.  Just the sound of  birds singing, the hum of the dishwasher and refrigerator, my neighbor’s waterfall, and an airplane buzzing high overhead.

My house was clean enough for me to relax in.  Mid-morning my child and I read books lying down on our backyard swing, watched our kitties gambol outside chasing butterflies, laughed at the antics of squirrels chasing each other, and tried to identify the different birds in our yard.  After our lunch, we finished our daily schooling, took a walk, and just enjoyed the beauty of this quiet day.  We were very content.

At the end of each day, I feel good!  I’ve had time to:

• read to my child
• hear my child’s laughter and jokes
• answer his questions, and have thoughtful talks with him
• watch my child play with other children
• teach my child, and have him teach me
• learn about my child, and him about me
• talk with people: neighbors, children, family, friends
• bake muffins and other yummy treats
• decorate my house
• play with my child
• pray with my child
• take pictures of every day life, unposed
• have time for myself
• hug and kiss my child and husband as many times as I want!

When someone is sick, it’s not an inconvenience.  We make it as special a day as it can be when one is ill.

I create the atmosphere in my home.  When I’m in a good mood, everyone is.  If I get upset, everyone feels upset until I get over it. So we begin each day in the Word and with prayer.

God has given me my vision of home, and I am so thankful!

The above was two excerpts from Chapter 9 of my book How to Thrive On One Income.

 May God bless you as you care for your home, husband, and children.

Janine

Tell me about YOUR vision for home!