Home Days

 

When you think of the perfect day, what comes to mind?  

Being at home is my favorite.  If you ask my family and friends, they will tell you that I could stay home a large percentage of the time and be absolutely content.  Because we live in the country, I don't have as many pressures to be and do and go.  That is such a blessing to our family.

But, what are Home Days?  For me, it is making home the central word throughout my day.  Whether it includes baking bread, hanging out the laundry, weeding the garden, schooling my 3 children, or wiping down kitchen cabinets.  I think we are often misled in our culture to think that housework has to be a bad thing; that homemaking is something that doesn't take intentionality and thought.  Whether or not we are in the home we want to be in forever, whether or not we are currently married or have children, whether or not things are going smoothly in our situation in life... we can love our home.  

It is all too easy to become discontent when we see others around us with things or in a place in life that we want to be in.  In this world of social media, we can see way too much of others' lives.  Eye candy to be sure!  But, am I thriving because I have looked at that new kitchen, or garden, or acreage?  Or am I dissatisfied now because of it?  

What we don't always consider is the time that it takes to acquire certain things or skills.  

So, I have an old bathroom sink... take care of it!  Clean it and add a vase of flowers beside it.  The handle is falling off of my kitchen cabinet... fix it!  Learn how to use simple tools.  Hang that artwork you found at the second hand store last year.  My bedroom needs a coat of paint... start by just washing the walls!  Ah, isn't that nice?  Then, if paint is in the budget l, patch the walls and paint.  We can love what we already have.  We can be content today!  Right where we are!  Without worrying or wishing or coveting someone elses' that.  

Home Days include the beauty and the mess.  They are filled with thankfulness for those messes and the beauty.  They offer a new view (perhaps because we are on the floor cleaning that spot on the carpet).  Little fixes.  Small steps.  Picking up and putting away.  What did the 'old girl say'? A place for everything and everything in its place.  Have your children help!  There are many charts of age appropriate chores for kids and teens.  Show them your joy in home and why taking care of it matters.  

A home should be a welcome place, a shelter to those who live in it from the chaos of the outside world.  We should love the spot we have been given and care for it, whether it is just a room above a store, a house in the suburbs, or acreage in the country.  If we don't love where we are now, we won't love where we are then.  Make it a priority to care for and love your HOME and through that, the people in it! It is a blessing to be able to glorify God in the work we do.