I have heard others express their family lives miserably because the size of the home or neighborhood they live. Their happiness and family bonding relies on outside influences. If only they could move into a bigger home, nicer neighborhood or better land; then the family could be happy and get along. Does the size, outside influences or position of land deter a house from becoming a HOME?
In my opinion, NO! The family creates the HOME. A house specifically describes the structure or material used to create four walls. A home goes deeper to include the family ties, coming together as a team to dwell in the house and sharing ideas and experiences with one another. To create a HOME, we can examine four factors that may help, no matter the land or structure entered every evening.
Honor Obedience Manners Enjoyment
Honor one other with words, actions and thoughts. Do not shout rudely, display selfish acts or hold resentment towards another. All this ugliness destroys a home and allows Satan to place a wedge between family members. The wedge breaks the bond which God intended the family to posses. Disrespect conflicts with God's plan.
Obey the rules set forth by family members. Submit to the plan God holds for your lives. Place God in the center and follow His Word. Disobedience leads to destruction.
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21)
"in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:6-7)
Manners must be present for the environment to produce love, peace and comfort. Use polite speech and think before acting. Some questions before opening your mouth might include: "Will this hurt the other"; "Are these words encouraging, necessary or beneficial to the relationship"; "Would I want to be talked to like this"? Use the Golden Rule and behave in a way pleasing to God.
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9)
Enjoy the people God blessed you with. Create an environment that excites other members to enter. Smile at one another, hold conversations, engage in one another's lives, pray together, eat together and make memories. Avoid silence, the TV blaring constantly, microwave meals eaten separately, spending time in a room alone with the door shut or greeting one another with complaints and/or frowns. Unplug the TV, play some games, talk and laugh. Greet one another with a hug and thank God for the safe return of your family.
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Live abundantly with your family. Love them as God loves you. Laugh daily and share each other's joy.
How? Invite God into the structure built for your family. Your house may be set upon acres of land to stabilize the foundation and keep storms from harming it. Your home must be set upon a solid foundation, our Rock, to stand firm during the toughest of storms and enjoy every season of life. Praise Him always and follow His plan. Honor, obey, display manners and enjoy each other. In this way, a home will form and lives will flourish. Eliminate all footholds for Satan. Open the doors and allow God to enter. He will lead you step by step through the process to make a house a home.
God, thank you for this day. Thank You for creating my family to form a home here. Show us what honor looks like. Humble our hearts to obey. Teach us manners towards one another. Lift our burdens and busy schedules so we may take time to enjoy each other and laugh. Join us daily and stand in the center of our house so it may become a home. I love You.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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