Making our Homes a Haven: The Challenge
Anna, in her usual grace and confidence, has an excellent post up which I encourage you to read.
Here's a snippet:
However, here's something I have a problem with: the idea that it is acceptable (or even encouraged) to neglect the needs of our most loved ones, the people closest to us, the ones God entrusted us with - our family - in order to go out and do something 'for the greater good'.I've been making it a goal of mine recently to do deliberate things to make our home more of a haven to my family and to all those who would enter it. I thought it would be fun to share some of these things and turn it into a two-week challenge of sorts.
This might ruffle someone's feathers, but I think that if my home is dirty and messy, meals aren't provided on time, the refrigerator is empty, the dirty laundry hamper is overflowing, and I haven't spent quality time with my family, or neglected my spiritual life, for a while now - this means something is wrong! I'll even tell you what: from the best intentions, from trying to do as much good as I possibly can, I end up doing harm.
Read the full post.
So, beginning Monday, I'll be posting a daily "Making Our Homes a Haven" challenge here. These will be simple challenges which should take less than 30 minutes to accomplish and won't require you to go out and buy anything. We'll just be doing basic cleaning, organizing, rearranging, and decorating using what we already have on hand. I'll share pictures of my finished challenges (maybe some before and afters, too!) and invite you to do the same on your blog and to leave you link on each challenge post. It should be fun!
I'd love to have you join us as we beautify our homes and make them a refreshing oasis for our families and all those who enter their doors.
Graphic from AllPosters.com
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:20 PM
41 Comments:
Crystal,
I don't have a blog. But can't wait to see what you and the others do. I will try to keep up the challenge too! My husband has never said much to me about the state of our home when he gets off work in the evening. But I was stirred to ask him about it recently due to the fact that my girlfriend tries very hard to have the house tidy, candles burning and delicious dinner smells coming from the kitchen when her husband comes home. She said it is very important to him. Well anyway when I asked my husband about it, he said he loves to come home and feel the calmness and peace of a tidy home. It is there sanctuary after a long day. I want this for him. A haven indeed! Thanks for the challenge.
What a great idea! Count me in!
I love what anonymous said--I never thought to ask my husband but I will tonight--I know I already tell the children things like "lets get this picked up quick before daddy gets home!" Not that he ever says anything, but I think deep down I know he likes to walk in to a calm, clean, and happy home--who wouldnt! But with 4 boys this can be a challange at times!!
Oh this sounds FUN :-)
Thanks, Crystal.
Can't wait!
I'm in! Sounds like a wonderful idea, and much-needed challenge.
I don't have a blog either, but I will be joining in! Sounds great!
Sounds GREAT and fun!
Looking forward to it. :-)
Nichole
I think I'll participate too!
This sounds like a really good idea Crystal! I enjoy doing things like this. My fault is thinking too much about the physical and not enough about spiritual. I really want people (my family included) to think of Christ when they are in my home. I look forward to your series hoping that it will help me to keep house to the glory of God- not loosing sight of eternity!
Jenny
Thanks for the idea. I am excited about this. This is a goal of mine. I know it is important to my husband, already. This morning I handscrubbed all the floors (first time since baby came 2 months ago), but guess what? It is because I am hosting book club tonight. So I am indeed the person who needs to work on this challenge. I've neglected the cleaning since baby came but I am quick to do it for company! I really appreciate this reminder. Doesn't Anna write the best posts?! She is certainly "far above rubies." What a blessing she is and an example as a young woman.
Hi Crystal. I'm SO in! I don't have a blog, but I would love to follow along. With 3 little girls underfoot, things can get a bit un-haven-like around here. I was reminded of this last night when my visiting family members ate all the dinner and I forgot to put aside some for my husband. So, poor man, he came home last night to a messy house and NO DINNER--after working a 12 hour shift in the Emergency Room. Ouch, did I ever feel bad...
I'm ready to start making my home more of a haven. Phebe
Sounds like a great idea, Crystal!
I have a goal of inviting at least one friend over each week. In making my house a haven for them, I'm finding that all the extra cleaning and fluffing also makes home more of a haven for us, too.
Crystal,
I've just posted a quote from St. Augustine that is exactly on point with what you have been discussing in recent posts:
http://vocatum.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-to-serve-first.html
... peace offering :)
Yes! I am so pumped to be back from my Thanksgiving blogging break. I did a lot of purging, organizing and donating over the holiday. Count me in to join in the fun!
Yep.. I've been there.. the half hour rush before my husband comes in to clean the living room finish the last touches on the meal and even fix up myself! Somedays after running around after 2 toddlers and a baby i look the part! Let the challenge begin! Thanks Crystal.
Amy
Sounds fun! Count me in as well.
I'm definately looking forward to this challenge! Like you this has been my goal, but the "hands to it" part is a little hard. Especially in light of the procrastination and laziness thing I've been talking about lately! :(
I'm up for the challenge!
That sounds like a great idea! I love hearing about the creative (and frugal) things that others do to decorate or brighten up their homes. Summer
I'm looking forward to this series!!! :)
Our previous home had a glass front door & our stairs were visible through the door. We used to light a candle on the the banister post every afternoon as soon as we got the house cleaned up for my husband. He always loved seeing that little flicker of light from his car. He said when the candle was lit, he knew 'all was well'.
We don't have that 'set-up' in our current house, but I was thinking just the other day, that I needed to figure something out....
Thanks for the encouragement and accountability this challenge will bring. My husband and I are very different on this topic. I have been too laid back about how our home is kept. I am starting to see how much of a blessing this will be to my family.
I am new to your blogs and must say I love, love, love them! Keep up the great work...
LOVE this idea! Sounds exactly what I need right now to relight the fire. I completely agree with Anna's post - thanks for linking to it.
I completely agree with this. It's important. But I also think that there is a little danger (not a lot these days because so few really do focus on their homes) - but nevertheless a danger that Christians can be seen as not caring about anyone but their family. Because we are told to care for our family, to manage our home. But we are also told to "do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." And a widow was not to be put on the list for needing help unless she "is not less than sixty years old ... having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to stranger, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work." Plus, the same chapter (1 Tim 5) then also says that if a lady has a widow in her family, she is to take care of her rather than letting the church do it.
This is something that ought to be construed as the truth that a women, while and after raising her children she has not only raised her children and cared for her home (enough to show hospitality to strangers), but she has also done all those other good works to make her worthy of receiving help from the church when her turn comes to be in need.
We can't neglect that we truly are to minister outside our blood family - we are to also minister to the family of God and to those who are not believers. Now that may look different in each woman's life. But our goal IS to have a servant's heart, relying on the Lord to be disciplined enough in reaching our blood family so we are also able to reach others.
brooke in oregon
Crystal, I'm glad you found this post interesting. Looking forward to this new writing venue you're going to do!
Count me in!!! i have been really convicted recently about having good excuses for not having things in my home maintained to a basic is just no longer an excuse. with the wonderful blessing of 5 children( so far) there are always going to be things that will come up(mostly from within my home) BUT i cannot let that continually derail my home and family responsibilities. the trumpet has been sounded now it is time to CHARGE!!! thank you!
thankfully His,
Jen in al
I read Anna's post and was challenged. . . . Then I read your post and was spurred on to action!
A timely message/challenge for sure!
Blessings.
Gina
I hope to do this someday, but I can't now! :) My college apartment could use a little help, but alas, I have no time...
Can't wait to get stared!
~Jennifer K
This is a wonderful idea! I think that I can get lethargic sometimes in this area. It's always good to get new inspiration.
By the way, I know that you really liked Passionate Houseswives, and I have been wanting to read it. But I was wondering, do you think that it addresses this area as well? I am hoping to get it sometime soon, maybe as a Christmas gift. :-)
(I also liked the "snippet" you shared. It's so true. We need to me reminded that serving our family is first priority. It can be to tempting to think that other things are more important. )
I would be interested in participating...a fun idea! I guess it just depends upon what your ideas are. ;)
You know, this morning I filled up a sheet of notebook paper with things I want to straighten up, clean, etc around the house, and I think this is just the motivation I need!!! Cool....
Oh, Crystal! What a great idea!
Wonderful idea! I'm in!
This is just in time as I'll be hosting family over Christmas, and I really want things pleasant and orderly. Thanks a bunch! I've been wanting to improve in this area but was too overwhelmed to get started.
I'm really looking forward to your advice on makeing your home a haven. I've always stressed to my kids that it's a safe haven where people need to feel safe and loved with no name calling or putting others down. I can really use some help with the tidiness and making my home more pleasant overall, without spending much.
Oh, this is an area that I really need to improve in! We moved into a new house almost three months ago, and while we're settled in, it's still missing so many homey touches. I know that it would bless my husband, and also those whom we have over for hospitality. I'll be back!
Stephanie
I am excited about this new idea!
Just a quick note of clarification for Jendi concerning your post: If you go back and read my original posts, you'll see that I was only talking about *me* in *my* particular situation with two littles. I don't feel like it would be right for *me* to leave my family to go out and do volunteering at this season of my life. There have been many other seasons when I've done lots of volunteering but my priorities right now while my children are little is to be very home-focused. I am nurturing little lives and that must be my first and foremost priority. I must stand before God for how I trained them and raised them and I take that very seriously.
My heart is to encourage moms to have their hearts at home. However, I don't believe in any way that this means that all moms must never step foot outside their doorstep. Of course not! But there are different seasons and we need to make sure we are not neglecting our most important priorities in favor of something that might seem "good."
Crystal, Thank you for your quick reply - and for leaving a copy at my blog.
I do understand the different seasons of mothers. It was exactly the word I had in mind.
I do agree with your main point, and thought that there were some wonderful comments left on that previous post.
The Haven Challenge looks very interesting, and I will be back to check it out.
God bless you and your littles.
http://jendisjournal.wordpress.com
Hi Crystal,
I am very late in joining you, but I still want to take part in your challenge. I am going to just start here and work my way through the challenge, even though the challenge is almost over (or is it over already?).
You are a very inspiring young lady!
Thanks!
Julie
wife of 1, mom to 7 : )
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