I had a very restful weekend reading about home-making and soaking in inspiration. Since we are currently out of our home while mold remediation and a rebuild are taking place. I’ve had a bit more time on my hands to think about, How To Make A Home. After living in our historic farmhouse for over twenty years it’s a bit like a fresh start.
It’s an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate. Asking myself what has worked well, and what is currently not functioning for our family. Pondering things like our family mission, personal calls, vocation, values, and goals, I found it easiest to organize my quest to understand what makes a home by utilizing three basic questions.
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How does my home need to function?
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How do I want my home to feel?
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What is the purpose of our home?
The simplest way to answer these questions is to make a list of descriptive words for each question.
For example, to answer the question “How do I want my home to feel? I prayed first and came up with these words… Christ, protected, secure, comfort, beauty, settled, belonging, kindness, nurture, ethical, sanctuary, light, family, workplace, peacefulness, health, history, functional, create, slow, loveliness, life-giving, trust, adaptable.
Based on the words I used to answer the three questions, I could go on to determine the kind of home our family needs. Your list will not be the same as mine. This process will help you to do the very same thing, for your own family. So what are you waiting for? Grab a piece of paper and ask God to help you answer these questions.
How To Make A Home
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Intentional style choices are based on who you are and what you need, not on what’s in style.
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Home is a place to live out one’s faith, engage in the beauty of work, and create a safe haven in a dark world.
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Simplicity versus excess. Think about the powerful word “enough” when approaching home life.
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A place to manage priorities, dream, create, and produce.
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Function and beauty operate equally.
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A sanctuary.
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Appeal to the senses through the use of light, texture, art, essential oils, and non-toxic candles.
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Connect the inside of your home to God’s glorious creation outside. Consider your land and home together as one family haven.
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Be adaptable and creative when approaching all aspects of your home.
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Keep in mind family health when deciding what lives in your home. Use natural fibers like wool, cotton, and linen. Consider making a non-toxic, no-harm rule.
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Home is a place to learn and a place for productive God-honoring work.
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Life-giving family meals and hospitality.
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Room for Christ-Centered Slow Living.
It is my hope, that you will explore for yourself, what makes a home for you and your family. I admit it seems inconsequential but in reality, it is of critical importance and a part of the dominion mandate found in the book of Genesis. Our homes are a reflection of heaven. It is not only paramount for our family but a tool to influence the world for Christ. It is no little thing.
YOUR TURN…
What words were on your list for how to make a home?
Blessings,
