“There is a reverence for the simple, quiet pleasures of
living well and beautifully at home. Home is where
we return for fulfillment and wholeness.”
– Alexandra Stoddard
Your home should be a sanctuary for your soul – a haven full of love, laughter, and the peace of God. It should be a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family, and a place of encouragement and gracious hospitality to others. It should rejuvenate all who live and visit there, and refresh their souls when necessary.
Maybe your home is not quite the sanctuary you’d like it to be, but you have the ability to transform it. Having a home that is warm, cozy and a beautiful place of rest is not really about decorating styles and techniques.
Rather, it’s about creating an atmosphere of love, unity and harmony.
In order to have this type of environment, you will need to invite the Lord as an honored Guest into your home and continually be aware of His presence there. This will make a huge difference in the very climate of your home. His love, peace, joy, mercy, grace and goodness will be there in abundance!
After making certain that the spiritual atmosphere is right, then it’s time to think about making it a place that satisfies your soul.
Michelangelo once wrote, “Gazing on beautiful things acts on my soul, which thirsts for heavenly light.”
What things are beautiful to you? Surround yourself only with what you truly love – collections, family photos, treasured heirlooms, art, antiques, etc. Fill your home with things that please your eye and fill your heart with joy.
Next, think about the smells in your home. Make sure the aromas floating throughout come from delicious cooking or baking, fragrant flowers or scrumptious scented candles and oils – not odors from the laundry room or litter box!
What sounds are you hearing on a regular basis? I believe that my children provide the sweetest music of all in our home with their laughter, singing, playing and chatter (and you probably feel the same way about yours – most days). But consider what other pleasant sounds you could incorporate into your home. Turn off the blaring TV and put on some soothing classical music or praise and worship CDs. How about the soft, steady ticking of a grandfather clock, the humming of a fan, a bubbling water fountain, the ringing of wind chimes outside your window, or the sweet, melodious song of a canary (or songbirds at the feeder)? Fill your home with sounds that please your ears.
Ensure that your home provides comfy, cozy (and family-friendly) sofas, chairs, slipcovers, blankets, cushions, rugs, etc. to rest and relax on. Your home should feel warm and restful – a place where you can decompress from the demands of the day.
Create snug spaces where you can nestle in with a good book and a cup of tea or coffee.
And finally, remember, even if you have your home elegantly decorated, if it’s messy, chaotic and disorganized, it will cause undue stress on you and other family members. So add a daily routine of cleaning and straightening. (Oh, if you could see the stacks of books and papers surrounding me now as I type this, you would laugh me to scorn!!!
But, I promise to straighten and organize after I finish this book, okay?)
These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing and stimulate your own ideas to beautify and enhance the atmosphere of your home. Think about various rooms in your house and how you can add your own creative, personal touch – a place that reflects you and your family.
Remember though, your home should not be a museum or a shrine to your vast and glorious decorating skills. It should be a place of refuge, peace, comfort, love, acceptance, joy, laughter and fun.
Don’t get so caught up in perfectionism and trying to impress others that you forget about nurturing the lives that dwell within your four walls or those that drop by for a visit.
Make your home into an environment that soothes your spirit, comforts your body and provides a sanctuary for your soul!
This post is excerpted from my book, A Life That Flourishes. Click on image below to purchase.
