Home Brew

“Every wise woman builds up her household, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

I am sure you have heard it said many times that if Mama ain’t happy, no one is! Do you create happy in your home?

It’s been said that the woman sets the tone for the home, yet all too often we use every bit of energy we possess to be cheerful, outgoing, and “all together” during our busy days interacting with co-workers, volunteers, social activities, etc. Or maybe we have experienced a day of extreme business, tension, conflict, and anxiety. Regardless of the circumstances, by the time we arrive home we are often exhausted and our good moods have been wiped out (we may even be a little on the grouchy side!) We often just need some alone and quiet time; we certainly aren’t in the mood to fulfill our responsibilities to home and family.

Sound familiar? What’s brewing in your home?

Even though it can be difficult to sustain a joyful and uplifting atmosphere at home, (and let’s face it, most of us just aren’t equipped to be a “Martha”!) the attitudes we walk into the door with and the simple things we do, set the mood in our homes. Wouldn’t we all like to be the perfect model of the Proverbs 31 Woman, better known to some as a woman of noble character?

I can just imagine my day going like this…

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." (31:26)

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (31:28)

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (31:25)

How would our lives and the lives of our families be different if we took greater care with our attitudes when we enter our homes? If we valued our time spent with them every bit as much as the time we spend encouraging and working with others? Our homes and our families are one of the most sacred places; a place where our language should be full of wisdom and kindness, support and praise. It’s a place where our husbands and our children can look to us for encouragement, trust, understanding, and diligence.

Is that what is brewing in your home?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (I Corinthians 13:4,5,7)

Sometimes we just have to ask ourselves what (or maybe who) is so important that it would keep us from wanting to brew happiness and encouragement to our family? When we love, respect, and lift up our husbands and children as the Bible instructs us in 1 Corinthians 13, we are fulfilling not only the greatest need in their lives, but also ours to unite us into one. Being a wife and mother is a high calling and it bears eternal value; we should embrace this role that God has assigned to us.  There are always going to be times when we just want to lock ourselves in the bathroom just for a moment of sanity and quiet, but if we haven’t taken the time to serve and share ourselves with our loved ones; if our homes aren’t a place of peace, love, and joy, then we are not fulfilling our God given purpose. What we brew in our homes should be mixed with love, honor and respect and we should embrace (and sing praises!) all of our work with joy , with purpose, and with value.

I am thankful to be guest posting this week at Tracy’s (a beautiful friend and sister in Christ!) on “Encourage 24/7”

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