An Extension of Ourselves
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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“Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserved; it is life's undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room, from which we go forth to more careful and guarded intercourse, leaving behind...cast-off and everyday clothing.” Harriet Beecher StoweOur homes are an extension of us and reflect who we are... or do they?
My idea of what my home should look like has changed over the years. When we were first married with no children, my home was decorated with my style and tastes. I wanted the picture perfect home. I still do want the "perfect" home, but my definition of "perfect" has changed over the last 15 years.
One of the big light bulbs that went off for me is that this is not just MY home. It is my husband's home as well. I had to really stop and ask myself if my home reflected him as well. Case in point - when we were first married I had my kitchen decorated in really cute greens and yellows and TONS of Sunflower decorations. It really was cute! My husband wasn't too keen on it, however, but graciously lived with it. Everyday though, he had to walk through and live in a kitchen that, probably if he was totally honest, made him want to throw up.
We no longer have sunflowers in our kitchen. :)
I began to understand that even though I am called to be a keeper of the home, my home is not my own and that my home should reflect not just who I am, but who my husband is, and will also reflect who my children are.
Our homes should also reflect those things that are most important to us. For me, as a Christian, this means that when someone walks into my home, I want there to be NO doubt that Jesus is first and foremost in our life; and that HE is truly Lord in our home.
One thing I try to keep in mind is that God is a God of order, not chaos. If I want my home to reflect who He is I should try and maintain some sort of order.
The main way we have chosen to reflect Jesus is by hanging Scriptures on our walls. I love the Scriptures in Deuteronomy 6 that say:
I want my home to be warm and inviting, full of laughter and love. But more importantly I want my home to be a reflection of who we are in Christ... one that brings my Father glory.
One of the big light bulbs that went off for me is that this is not just MY home. It is my husband's home as well. I had to really stop and ask myself if my home reflected him as well. Case in point - when we were first married I had my kitchen decorated in really cute greens and yellows and TONS of Sunflower decorations. It really was cute! My husband wasn't too keen on it, however, but graciously lived with it. Everyday though, he had to walk through and live in a kitchen that, probably if he was totally honest, made him want to throw up.
We no longer have sunflowers in our kitchen. :)
I began to understand that even though I am called to be a keeper of the home, my home is not my own and that my home should reflect not just who I am, but who my husband is, and will also reflect who my children are.
Our homes should also reflect those things that are most important to us. For me, as a Christian, this means that when someone walks into my home, I want there to be NO doubt that Jesus is first and foremost in our life; and that HE is truly Lord in our home.
One thing I try to keep in mind is that God is a God of order, not chaos. If I want my home to reflect who He is I should try and maintain some sort of order.
The main way we have chosen to reflect Jesus is by hanging Scriptures on our walls. I love the Scriptures in Deuteronomy 6 that say:
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
I want my home to be warm and inviting, full of laughter and love. But more importantly I want my home to be a reflection of who we are in Christ... one that brings my Father glory.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do (even keeping your home), do all to the glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:13
(parenthetical addition mine!)
How about you? How does your home bring Glory to the Father?
Hi Chelsey
What an excellent article! My home is not nearly as Godly as it should be. We need to practise more hopsitality as an immediate thought! One thing I do is hang scripture, I usually print these off of the PC and put in pretty frames thinking I should do specific ones the kids will understand.
Love Collette x
LOL! My kitchen is FULL of sunflowers (I am a Kansas native)! But given that we lived overseas for 12 years and my kitchens in foreign countries were not emotionally satisfying for me, when we built our home my Friend Hubby let me decorate it how I wanted. The only stipulation was that it had to be CONTEMPORARY with sunflowers, not COUNTRY for my New Jersey/New York raised husband. For compromise, he got to decorate the first room that you see when you come into our home. It is black, white, and grey but he loves it so that's fine with me.
People have always loved to come to our home, wherever we have lived. I think it is because we communicate so much with eachother that we are most often in agreement (or at least agreeing to be in disagreement). That has created an atmosphere of peace that draws people, especially those without peace in their own homes, to be ministered to by us.
I love your blog!
Blessings!
Thanks for this - it´s so true. I hadn´t really thought about my hubbys wishes when it comes to the kitchen decorating (when we ever get to it) but usually maybe I should forego the gingham (he doesn´t really want)!
So true! We DO want our husbands to be comfortable in our homes, and that means blending our tastes. That process can be either really fun or absolutely awful--depending on our mindsets. :)
Spot on, Chelsey!
So true Sister! Ha ... trust me, my husband IS THE ONLY REASON I have two deer and a wild boar hanging over my head as I type this (scream!). But as you said, it is his home too. My daughter would be the reason why Butterscotch the "almost life sized" pony is standing by my chair. :o)
Now, I must work on the getting my house in order today.
Love!
Beth
Chelsey,
I love the part about Scripture on the walls! We have some hanging in our home, as well. I'd really like to get the vinyl Scripture that goes on the walls someday!
Lisa Metzger
Helpmeet to Mark, Keeper of Our Home, 2nd Generation Homeschool Mommy to soon-to-be 9 blessings: Annalise (16 - adopted from Kazakhstan at 10), Kaitlyn (9), Ethan (8), Trey and Jake (6 1/2 & 4 - adopted from MO), Kristina Joy (3, soon to be adopted), Julia (3), Ellie Grace (20 months), & Judah Michael (5 months)! Come visit us on the web....
A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/carolinametzgers
God's Plan for Families http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/GodsPlanForFamilies
I guess I should first work on the chaos vs. order thing. Ooops. (I try, I really do...although prob'ly not enough)
You did give me a wonderful idea for when my kitchen is not a homeschool room anymore (soon I hope). I planned to put framed candids on my wall (the one that houses a blackboard right now) and I think I'll frame some Bible verses to mix in with the family verses! Thanks for the inspiration! :) This blog has become a real convictor/motivator for me!
Amen! We have been married for, well, 21 years next month and have 8 kids. I am amazed at how our home really is the center of everything... and Christ is the center of our home. Thanks for this great article!
My husband and I are careful about what we choose to decorate our home with. First of all, we don't want to choose any decor that is contrary of Christs' disciples.
We also want it to be comfortable for us and visitors.
Lastly, we do not make decisions without consulting each other. If he doesn't like an idea I have, he tells me and explains why. He then goes on to suggest a different approach.
It all just works out.
smooches,
Larie