Making a Home

(Continuing on with posts about Planning with Priorities in my mothering series Forever Close: The Heart of a Mother ... specifically applying these planning thoughts to mothers, but they easily can be adapted to any and all places of career or life.)

A family needs a home, each individual needs a home. A place to be, a place to grow, and a place to be loved. 

As mothers, we have the great privilege of being called homemakers. How can we be so privileged to hold as one of our main roles, that of making a home? A nest, a place where our children begin their story, and where their lives are shaped for eternity.

It is in nurturing our children, and building our homes that we spend a bulk of our hours and days. Could there be any higher calling?

A high calling, and also a daily responsibility. For there are many things about the keeping of a home that are repetitive, and can even become like a chore. This is where we can follow the example of our Creator. There is no boredom or drudgery as we view His creation - it is filled with beauty, creativity, and brilliant color. And as moms, we too, can depend on Him for His help as we make a home, and put our God-given creativity to its best use. 

"Somebody has to be the nest maker, 

the artist, the interior decorator, 

the imaginative person with a dignity 

born of understanding its importance, 

as well as a desire to produce a home - 

as differentiated from merely a house." 

(Edith Schaeffer, What is a Family?) pg. 44

We also have the capacity to create atmosphere, and to influence the emotional temperature of our homes. We need to first-of-all consciously and intentionally tend to keeping our First Love burning brightly, for this will affect our families, and all the facets of making a home. This is the first important ingredient of a healthy, life-giving home.

"It is the woman in each home 

who creates the atmosphere. 

She is like the hub of the wheel 

around which the home revolves." 

(Linda Dillow, Creative Counterpart) pg 60

There are multiple books and blogs filled with ideas for making a home - and here are some of the ideas that have inspired me throughout my 42 years of homemaking ...

tend to my own heart first of all, keeping myself in tune with my Creator - this is critical to every area of life, including homemaking

listen to His Words, following His direction - in contrast to focusing on keeping up with the Jones's as we care for our homes 

put our best efforts to all aspects of making a home

use a planner to keep track of all the areas that need to be cared for to keep our home running smoothly 

use creative ideas to encourage children to learn to help with daily responsibilities and chores in the home - working together is best, and helps encourage good work habits

try to make things fun - whether it be with the daily or weekly cleaning chores, preparing meals, or the learning of new skills

treat ourselves as moms to books, magazines, blogs that inspire us with homemaking skills

spend time organizing things so that it is easy for children to help, and so that there is a sense of order in the home

have candles burning often - spreading warmth and peace

create a sense of peace, love, and rest in our homes

surround and cover each person in our home with prayer, depending on God alone to instill in them a sense of being loved deeply

"She looks well to the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness."

(Proverbs 31:27 NASB)

Links to all the posts in this Planning with Priorities series:

Planning with Priorities
First Priority
Loving Our Husbands 
The Gift of Family
Making a Home
Time for Me
Beyond Our Homes

Linking up with:
Thrive at Home
I'm Lovin' It
Faith Filled Friday
Fellowship Fridays
Titus 2sDay
The Inspiration Exchange