What Makes a Home Beautiful

Sometimes I forget and get caught up in the serving, cleaning, decorating, cooking, and homeschooling, that I need reminded of what really makes a home.
 I believe my family wants their mother over perfectly ordered cupboards or clean floors.  I am reminded daily that this home that I'm living in is temporary, it will never be perfect, nor does it supposed to be.  It makes me long for my heavenly home where beauty is found in the Presence of Jesus Christ, not  in lavish furniture or Martha Stewart decorating.  If we want our temporary dwellings to be beautiful, Jesus has to be found at the center of our homes.  I think the greatest compliment I have ever received was last year when a lady come over to my house.  As she walked around our home, tears filled her eyes.  She said, "Wow, you can just feel the presence of God in your home." She didn't compliment how clean my floors were  or how well I decorated, but that she felt God's presence.  It really caught me off guard. Never had I heard a reaction like that before.  What a great reminder to me of what really makes my home beautiful!
Over the years I've learned and hope to remember that:

The size of a house doesn't make a home.
A new living room set doesn't make a home.
Having a spotless house doesn't make a home.
Having a "new" house does not make a home.
Having beautiful decorations that look just like the glossy pages found in the House Beautiful magazine does not make a home.

"Home" happens when memories are made:
Playing board games around the kitchen table, sharing meals and holidays, bringing home a new baby, learning how to ride a bike, planting a garden as a family, backyard picnics, counting stars on the back deck, daddy's bedtime devotions, canning summer's bounty...

"Home" happens when first steps are taken, first words are spoken, bellies are filled with laughter.
"Home" happens when crumbs are left for tomorrow, fingerprints are a work of art, and blankets are made into castles.

But what makes your home truly beautiful is Jesus Himself.
His presence when hands are folded in prayer, voices  proclaiming God's goodness, mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

Allowing Christ to be at the very center of your home.

Acknowledging that all our labor is in vain without Christ as the foundation.  Laying aside "important" things to choose the better by being still, seeking God, reading His Word, and crying out to Him in prayer. 

Realizing that we can do nothing whatsoever without Him.

Refusing to seek perfection in our earthly homes.

Seeking our heavenly home and keeping our eyes on the Prize- Jesus Himself!

Do you have a beautiful home?

Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house,its builders labor in vain.

Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

A Prayer for Parents

I found a poetry book at a vintage flea market a few months ago called Life's Greatest

Treasure by Hallmark and especially liked the poem called "A Prayer for New Parents". This poem isn't only for new parents, but for all. Hope

you enjoy reading it as much as I did and it encourages you to keep an eternal perspective as you train up your children. We only get-

one

single

chance

to raise our children.

That's it.

No second chances.

This is one area we can't afford to be lazy in.

God, help us to remember that our children will learn more from our deeds than our creeds. Help us to depend on You each and every day for wisdom and discernment in raising these beautiful souls for Your glory alone. God give me grace.

Amen.

A Prayer for New Parents

By: James Keller

O Lord, give us the wisdom ---

To deal with our children as You would,

To see in each of them Your Holy Image,

To develop in them a Christ-like love of all men, not only a select few,

To teach them to be go-givers rather than go-getters.

Oh God, in training these dear ones whom

Thou hast entrusted to our charge, help us ---

To encourage rather than discourage them,

To discipline with kindness not softness,

To guide them intelligently, not blindly,

To coach, not scold; to nudge, not nag.

Dear Lord, above all, help us ---

To use common sense in regard to their future,

To let them go gladly when the time comes,

To let them lead their own lives while following them with our love,

To pray always that they will be close to Thee,

not only for the few years of this life

but for the endless years of eternity.