Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Beautifying Our Homes


A wise woman builds up her home and a foolish one tears it down. How do we build up our homes and beautify them? There are many ways we can do both and give God the glory for it all! He is the One who created the family and puts families in homes; He is also the One who blesses them when we live for Him and do things the way He has called us to do for He promises that we will reap what we sow.

Sow beauty into your home. Work hard at home keeping it clean and tidy. Never be so busy away from home that your home becomes unkempt. Let every child have one basket of toys and teach them to put their toys back into their own basket after playing with them. When you see something that needs to be cleaned, don’t put it off but do it as soon as you can. If you see a dirty toilet, clean it. If something needs dusting, dust it. In this way, nothing will ever become overwhelming because you have kept on top of the little things and haven’t allowed them to grow into big jobs. When you spill something, wipe it up immediately so it doesn’t harden and make it harder to clean up. As soon as you climb out of your bed in the morning, make your bed. Clean the sink out if you see it is dirty while you are brushing your teeth. Think of beautifying your home as you clean it, because this is what you are doing. A clean home is a beautiful home! 

“It is almost impossible for a child to grow up into loveliness of character, gentleness of disposition, and purity of heart – amid scenes of slovenliness, untidiness, repulsiveness and filthiness. But a clean home, with tasteful and simple adornments and pleasant surroundings – is an influence of incalculable value in the education of children.” (J. R. Miller)

Sow kindness into your home. Speak only words of kindness to all those who dwell in your home. Even when you are upset with your children, you can speak kindly to them; for anger and angry words do not accomplish the righteous life that God requires of us. Speak kindly to your husband. Practice it daily and eventually, it will become a habit to be kind.

Sow patience in your home. In 1 Corinthians, the love chapter, have you noticed that patience is the first quality of love? Love is patient; love is kind. We will all make mistakes and no one will ever be perfect on this earth. Don’t get upset when your children make mistakes. Be patient with them as your Heavenly Father is patient with you. Be patient with your husband. Allow him to make mistakes in his leadership of your home. We all grow and learn through our mistakes. Being angry and impatient will never accomplish anything beneficial. They only injure the relationships and create distance between others.

Sow faithfulness in your home. Faithfully read the Word to your children. Speak of your faith often to them. Teach them to be faithful to their friends and to their word. Make sure they follow through with the commitments they have made. Be faithful to your husband in every way, even what you place before your eyes. Don’t read or watch anything that could cause you to be unfaithful to your husband, even in your mind. Be faithful to the Lord and walk worthy of Him within your home; giving none occasion for others to speak evil of His Holy name.

Sow contentment into your home. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Let your family see that you are content in life. Choose to be content with the size and location of your home. Don’t allow grumbling and complaining into your home. Be content to live on your husband’s income and how you must live within it. Contentment is a beautiful quality to pursue.

Sow cheerfulness into your home. The joy of the Lord is your strength! Let your children see how wonderful it is to follow Christ. Let them see that it is the best thing in the world and nothing the world has to offer can compare. Be cheerful with your husband and your children. Smile every time you see them. Be cheerful to the clerk at the store and all those you meet. Everyone can use a warm and friendly smile.

Sow thankfulness into your home. Be thankful. Thank the Lord daily for His blessings; for the food on the table and the roof over your head, for eternal life and His blessed Son, for living mightily within you and the peace He blesses you with. No matter what your situation in life, you can find things to be thankful for. Make sure your children see and hear you being thankful. In this way, you are creating a beautiful home for your family.

She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:27