“Home is the first school and first church for young ones; where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind; where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is prepared with love; where money is not as important as loving kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God Bless it!” – unknown author
Today I am continuing my thoughts on the principles that I found in the book, “The Home Experience” by Devi Titus. I will share with you the first principle in Devi’s book and what she has to say about it as well as my thoughts. We will uncover more about the Dignity and Sanctity of the Home.
The first institution that God established was the family. He had a perfect plan and unfortunately, we as imperfect people have added our own “two cents” to the plan and the home has become a place of disorder, chaos and frustration. The complete opposite of what God intended.
Home should be our most treasured asset, unfortunately more and more women are devoting much of their energy to things outside the home. This ends up undermining home values, priorities and in the end our homes receive the last of our energy instead of it receiving the first.
The dignity of the home is seeing and experiencing its worth by those who are touched by it, in other words, those who are housed within its four walls. A home that has dignity sets certain standards, has routines, a feeling of order and creativity with the added Godly characteristics like love, honesty and loyalty.
The Sanctity of the home is its purity in heart and purpose – the atmosphere, mood and tone that is set and carried throughout. The home is the place for the human soul to find peace, comfort, be refreshed and restored. Can you say that your home falls into being a place where your family can be renewed and restored?
In the book, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, Edward Gibbon gives five basic reasons why great civilizations withered and died. One that hits me most and is as true today as it was when he wrote the book in 1788:
“The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis for human society.”
Home is the basis for human development and as sure as you can agree, home has ceased to be the center of family activity. It seems we are everywhere BUT home: day-care, over-time work, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, music lessons, shopping malls and fast food restaurants. You can end up creating a life where you are only home to fall into bed at night.
In our society the value of the home has dramatically changed, wouldn’t you agree? There has been a slow erosion of the home and the value of the person whose role is to maintain and create the structure to allow the home to be a place of renewing. The term Family Manager has just started to come back around as well as the value this role has within the home. I can’t help but wonder where society would be today if we had not been sold the lie and status quo to be more “outside” the home than inside it. It is time to make a difference and the first place that you can is your home.
As mother’s, we have a great power and influence to create a different path for our next generation if we put forth the effort and create the environment that our home needs to be. Do you take extra care in the appearance of your home? This does not mean it is spotless, but do you keep it orderly? Are there routines in place that create a natural flow in your home? I like Devi’s list of steps to take to see where you might improve to make your home a place where your family loves to come home to:
- Make a list of things in your life that have undermined the home
- Ask forgiveness for underestimating the importance of the atmosphere in your home.
- Learn everything you can about home care and develop these skills
- Observe other families whose values you respect. Learn by observing their lifestyle.
- Rearrange your schedule so you can be at home more.
- Make home a priority.
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands, the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1
I encourage you to move forward and create a place of peace for your family. I can tell you from personal experience, your efforts may be unnoticed, but the outcome will be seen very clearly in every member of your family. I would love to hear your ideas and share your thoughts on this principle. Look forward to the next in the series: “The Also Principle
