Home: A Pleasant Place

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’” Proverbs 31:25-30

“I believe that a godly home is a foretaste of heaven. Our homes, imperfect as they are, must be a haven from the chaos outside. They should be a reflection of our eternal home, where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment, lonely pilgrims find communion and wounded spirits find compassion.” Jani Ortlund

 

  • Call your prayer partner for your 10-minute prayer call! Keep trying to connect until you get to pray together. This tiny habit of praying regularly with a friend will truly change your life!
  • Cherished daughter, come rest at the feet of the King of Kings today! Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word as you spend time in His presence. Read Proverbs 31:10-31

Home: A Pleasant Place

What is homemaking? Google defines it as “the creation and management of a home, especially as a pleasant place in which to live.”

Confession time here. Honestly, my home is not always a pleasant place to live. The reason for this has very little to do with whether or not the rooms within are trendy and organized. It has nothing to do with whether the mountain of clean (or dirty) laundry has been taken care of, what is or isn’t in my refrigerator, or what is or isn’t in my children’s toy bin. Rather, it has everything to do with me, and—spoiler alert—it has everything to do with you, too!

As wives and mothers, whether we stay at home or work outside the home, we are responsible for the atmosphere in our homes. The Bible says, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” (Proverbs 14:1). We are the builders of our home, but we can also wreak havoc with thoughtless words or actions.

Countless times, in hurt and anger, I have flung foolish words at my husband or children, regretting them the moment they escaped my lips. Too frequently, I have grunted greetings rather than verbalized them, and, absorbed in my own little world, I have missed opportunities to show love to my family. If, like me, you have fallen short of the Proverbs 31 woman, take heart because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).  However, “no condemnation” does not give us a free license for poor habits.

One habit that I had to change was staying up late at night. I had to start going to bed when my husband went to bed shortly after our children were tucked in for the night. I learned early on as a parent that if I didn’t get to bed before 10 p.m., I was a wreck the following day, and my children had to deal with a grouchy, easily annoyed, or easily discouraged mama. While the Bible doesn’t say anything specific about when a proper bedtime should be, it has much to say about choosing wisdom and how miserable a home is with a cantankerous wife (Proverbs 21:9). The Bible even goes so far as to say that it is better to have nothing but a dry crust to eat in peace and quiet than a house full of feasting and strife (Proverbs 17:1).

A daily quiet time before my kids woke for the day was another routine I began. While I love my sleep, I know I need my Savior even more! For “unless the LORD builds the house, the builder’s labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1). No matter how hard I try to be the perfect wife and mother, creating a beautiful home and whipping up delicious dishes in my kitchen, I will always fall short of the mark without Christ.

It is through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can speak with love, wisdom, and kindness, practicing patience and grace instead of severity. When you make a mistake, apologize immediately and move on. Your husband and children will cherish a loving and attentive women much more than the best toys or home that money can buy, and your home will truly become a pleasant place to live.

Blessings and Love,

Bek and the Help Club for Moms Team

Questions to Ponder

  • Are there habits in my life or routines that I need to change in order to bless my family?
  • Am I getting enough rest each night so I can be rested and awake before my children each day?
  • What type of atmosphere do I want my husband and children to come home to?

Faith-Filled Ideas

As a couple or a family, make a list of family values and frame a printed copy in a high-traffic area of your home. We have a list of family rules in our living room, and a list of kitchen rules in our dining area with rules such as “No Cell Phones Allowed [during mealtime]” and “Be Thankful.”

In your own words, write Proverbs 31:10-31 in your journal. Whether you believe it or not, you ARE a Proverbs 31 woman, so own it! Pray through the passage, replacing “she” with “me.”

Example: “Lord, thank you for making me a wife of noble character. Thank you for seeing the value in me. Thank you that my family has complete confidence in me and my abilities, and they lack for nothing. Thank you for helping me bring good and not harm to those around me, and thank you for giving me the strength and energy to do your work today…

 

Bek Measmer

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