|
In This World of
Strife… We need a haven of rest. A place
of peace. Jesus offers us that any time anywhere.
And He can help us turn our earthly home into a
much needed safe harbor from life's stormy seas.
Too often our
homes are anything but peaceful! As our lives
become more hectic, so do our homes, but there
are some things we can do to change that. You, as
the woman of the house, the homemaker, have
perhaps the most influence—and may reap the
most benefit!
First, pray
daily for God's help. Next make a commitment to
do what it takes—you can't expect others to
follow if you don't lead. Lastly, decide on a
plan and put it to work.
Three
Effective Rules
My soft-spoken
mother always insisted that no one could raise
their voice in our house. No matter how angry or
upset you were, she did not allow yelling.
Period.
Mama didn't
stand for any sarcasm, either. No snide tones or
words. You could state your case, but you'd
better do it respectfully!
The third iron
clad rule Mama had was as simple as the others.
No violence in word or deed. None. My brother and
I quietly left the house more than once to wage
our sibling wars, but inside our house there was
peace.
Those simple
rules brought a tranquility to our home that I
saw at none of my friends' houses. The secret was
that it's hard to remain angry or upset while
speaking in a calm and respectful voice. As it
says in Scripture, "Be angry but sin
not." Good advice!
Set the
Mood
Psychologists
tell us color has a lot to do with our emotional
condition. Blues and greens are calming or cool.
Yellows and oranges are cheerful, and so on.
|
No matter what
your decor or favorite style, no matter what
color scheme you have or like, add some touches
of softness. Use pillows, throw rugs and flower
arrangements (mine are not real—flowers die
when they see me!) to lend a homey feel to your
rooms.
Lighting is
another important factor in creating a serene
atmosphere. While you may need strong lights for
some things, have alternative soft lights for
relaxing. Candles are great for this, too. I
especially like the scented ones.
Also, remember
that clutter is distracting to almost everyone.
So, try to keep the place picked up! Put away
things when you've finished using them; make the
bed when you get out of it; clear the table after
the meal, etc. Yeah, I know it's a drag, but when
it's done you can relax in a clean room and
really enjoy it.
Take So
You Can Give
Take time for a
bubble bath. Take time to read. Take time to
visit a friend. Take time for a nap. But most of
all, take time to be alone with your Lord!
Taking time,
insisting on it, will replenish your reserves and
equip you to initiate the steps needed to turn
your home into a haven of peace—not only for
you and your family, but for all who enter your
door.
Change takes
effort and commitment. It's easy to slip back
into old habits, but the longer you work at it,
the more relaxing and serene your home will
become. And as that happens, you'll see a change
in your family, too. You'll all be blessed for
it, and it may even become a witness to an
unsaved friend.
|
