A moment for reflection: Our homes ... by Morag Cameron “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” Mother Theresa As Christians, the culture of our homes matters. What we do within the walls of our homes is important. How we love, treat and invest in those people God has specifically given to us and any people we invite in has the power to not only change our lives but also significantly impact the world around us. We need to use faith, love and God’s words as our foundation. In Proverbs 23:3-4 it states ‘By wisdom a house is build and through understanding it is established; through knowledge it’s rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures’. These verses show the value of peace, love and respect in our homes through wisdom. The choices we make as adults affects the culture of our homes more than many of us realise. Opening our homes and hearts aligns with living a faith driven life. For many people, the world outside their home is anything but a refuge. The standards of perfection are too high and the pressures from society just too much for them to shoulder. |
Our homes should stand in stark contrast. They should be soft places for our family and visitors to land, where the harshness of the outside world is met with the comfort of unconditional love. Our homes are not just a physical space but a sanctuary where every family member and friend know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they are loved, treasured and wanted. This does not mean our homes must be perfect. The importance of a nurturing home lies not in perfection but in the grace that flows freely within it. It is in understanding that while we strive to do our best, grace covers our shortcomings and teaches us and our visitors the beauty of forgiveness and unconditional love. Creating a nurturing home requires a lot of intentionality. It means choosing daily to fill our homes with words of affirmation, acts of love and moments of quality time that knit our hearts closer together. It’s in the small acts of kindness, the listening ear and the comforting hug that make our homes become the nurturing environment God intends them to be. As home owners our role in shaping this environment cannot be overstated. We have the special opportunity to set the tone of our homes and ensure they are havens of peace in a challenging world. In order to take this responsibility to heart, we must lean on God’s strength and wisdom thus creating a space where grace abounds, love is unconditional and every family member and visitor knows they have a special place where they are always welcome. |