A Home the God Uses

Thinking on the idea of "Home" has hit me quite hard this year, both literally and figuratively.  Since the past 5 months our family has undergone moving, being homeless (but staying with relatives), losing a home, finding a new home, unpacking, arranging, and all other connotations to the word "Home", I was a little "HOMED" out.  This Homie has taken a personal vow to NEVER grace the screen of zillow.com or watch House Hunters for the next 5 years after my experience this last summer.

This past semester I took part in the most awesome book study where a group of women in our church read through "Finding Your Purpose as a Mom" by Donna Otto.  We met tonight for a reunion and I was supposed to share a little something I gleaned from our time together. As I skimmed over my book  reading my notes and highlighted quotes I landed on topics that him me hard, once again.  The first being the factual statement, "Throughout the Old and New Testaments we find the idea that homes are places where souls are nourished and where God's ways are taught".   What truth we see here.  This lead my over caffeinated brain on a bunny trail of the use of a "HOME" in scripture.  I started to wonder where and when I have seen God use the home as the setting to his story.

1: A PLACE OF REFUGE:

I first thought of the Jews finding protection within the walls of their homes during Passover in Egypt.  Moses commanded the elders of Israel to paint the door frames of their homes with the blood of the passover lamb, then seek refuge inside the walls of their home.  God used the homes of the Israelites to provide safety from "the destroyer" that memorable night.  Just as God used homes as a place of refuge then, our homes should be a refuge now.  Set apart by God, for Him.  God can use any home in any location to be a shelter of protection.  In the book of Joshua He chose the home of a prostitute to harbor his spies from their enemy, and in return for her obedience she was incorporated into the ancestry of Jesus Christ.  All for opening her home!!!

What I glean from Rahab's story is that sometimes it is a sacrifice for us (as women) to open our homes to others, especially when they are in distress.  In order for others to find healing or protection we have to place our selves in the position of being vulnerable, and that's just DIFFICULT. Period.  When I see my friends who have opened their homes to foster children, to adoption, to family member's in need, or elderly parents/grandparents I see selflessness; I see sacrifice; I see difficulty; I see tears; I see pain; I see vulnerability... but beyond those things I see a greater JOY; I see a greater PEACE; I see a greater LOVE; I see a Greater GOD... Because when someone is seeking refuge, shelter, or protection and you open your home to them, you also open your heart.

2: A PLACE OF TEACHING:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

God commands us to use the safety of our home as a place of teaching our children.  Teaching things of eternal value; lessons not received from PBSKids, Netflix or Disney Jr.  Not only are we to teach scripture as we see in this verse above, but also character.  How to be a friend, how to listen, how to love our neighbor... starting with the one down the hall!!  

When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, Mary sat at his feet and listened while Martha scurried around the house cleaning, cooking, piddle-ing her time away while the KING was near!! Jesus tell's Martha..To Stop.  To Sit.  To Listen.  To Love him by SLOWING DOWN!!! (What a lesson I need to hear!!)  As mothers we must remember this lesson that Jesus himself demonstrated, we must LEARN to stop, to sit, to listen, to love our families by SLOWING DOWN.  We, too, can be caught in the kitchen mopping the floors at midnight or hidden under a mountain of laundry so high it reaches the shade of the floor lamp but neglecting to play babies with our little girls or giving piggyback rides to our little boys or taking time to listen to the hearts of our school aged children.

Our homes must be a place of teaching... to both our children and to ourselves.  At times it is easy for me to accept the job as teacher, but it is difficult for me to submit to the role of student... Learning to live slowly, learning to love deeper, learning to listen intently... these things are difficult for me when I view my home as a place to clean and a place to work... but when I view my home as a place for teaching and for learning...It is an easier concept to accept.


3: A PLACE OF FRIENDSHIP

I want to live contrary to our society's lavish view of what the purpose of a home is.  I want my home to be MORE than matching throw pillows and 3 inch crown molding.  It is the desire of my heart to have a home with a heartbeat, with a soul, with smells of good food, and sounds of deep laughter.  I want memories to be made of togetherness, of celebration, of friendship and of honoring others.  Beyond the walls of my home must exist a spirit of togetherness, an atmosphere where people feel that they belong.

The kingship of Jesus was celebrated intimately in homes, surrounded by his disciples, by his friends and his family.  Offerings were made to Jesus on a dusty living room floor as Mary broke the expensive vile of perfume and anointed the feet of King Jesus.

Jesus chose to spend his last moments on earth around a table with food, with wine, with friends... together.  There was not one mention of the menu or of fancy decor, but instead of the people who were with him and the fellowship they shared.  When his disciples asked him where he wanted to observe the passover, he instructed them to find a "house" in the city where they shall eat.   Would my house be a home chosen by God for his son, the King of Kings to dine on his very last meal with friends?

4:  A PLACE FOR MIRACLES AND SALVATION:

Speaking of Jesus inviting himself into homes... Did you know Jesus visited 29 homes throughout his 3 years of ministry?  Did you know Jesus' first miracle was preformed INSIDE a home?  Did you know Jesus raised 2 people from the dead inside of their homes?  Yup, yup and yup...

Scriptures make it known that Jesus was very present inside the Jewish synagogue but rarely were his miracles preformed inside the walls of the place of worship.  Instead he chose to make himself known inside homes, outside homes, in crowds of people and other times in the presence of a few.  Our homes are more than 4 walls with rooms to pickup, carpets to vacuum, kitchen floors to sweep, bathrooms to clean... our homes are places where MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN!!!  Where healing can occur, where people can be spiritually resurrected and eternity's solidified.  Intimate quarters for intimate encounters.

Do you remember the song about Zacchaeus from your childhood, the one about a "wee little man" where Jesus shakes his finger at Zacchaeus and says, "I am coming to your house today."  Basically, what I am saying is that  Jesus had no manners, he invited himself inside homes on several occasions; probably because he knew his initiation was crucial.  Our sinful nature desires for him to stay on the outside and to refuse to open the door, but when we answer that knock, salvation occurs.  When Jesus looked up into the eyes of the frail dishonest tax collector, he knew his visit would result in salvation.  In Luke 19:9-10 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, ⁹  “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Our homes are places not only where miracles happen, but also where salvation occurs.  As a small girl I came to know my savior in my bedroom with my parents by my side.  What an honor for my home to someday host the salvation of another.  I pray this does become reality, whether the salvation of a friend or family member I pray that my home is a place of miracles and of salvation.  


Donna Otto sums it up best in this quote, "You are called to create and maintain a home environment and atmosphere that reflects God's love, God's hope, God's peace--quite literally, to build your home on holy ground".  

As I establish this new home that we now have, I use the above quote as my inspiration.  Reminding myself that time and time again God used HOMES to tell his story, to protect his people, to bring salvation and to honor others, and I want my home to be worthy of this cause.  The good news is that there is no square footage requirement, you do not need granite countertops or travertine tile, and your curtains don't have to be so many inches from the ceiling.  If you don't have chalkboard paint or a repurposed pallet, you're NOT out of luck!  If Rahab can be obedient enough to open up her home located within the walls of a city in the center of the red-light district, then I can too can use my home for his purpose!!

In reflection, because of this book my view of my HOME has transformed completely.  I now realize that the purpose of my home is not one of beauty, but for beautiful people.  I now realize my work inside my home is not one of monotonous chores but one of teaching and learning.  I now realize that the safety I create inside of my home brings about miracles and salvation.  When we look up from our pottery barn catalogues and our never ending Pinterest boards, and we find the ability to set our eyes on things above our perspective shifts, and our desires warp into those that are pleasing to Him.


Thanks for reading!!

Reciving Grace on the Horrible-No-Good-Very-Bad Days of Motherhood

Its a hard job living out your faith.  It's an even harder job to train up your children in a household of faith; especially when it's run by sinners, mistake-makers, yellers, temper-losers, and just-trying-to get-by-ers.

Yesterday was one of those horrible-no-good-very-bad-days that come to pass in Mommyhood.  By 8:29 am (Because I actually looked and the clock when this thought entered my mind.) I had already had enough.  I had enough "Mommy, will you (insert demand)",  "Mommy, she (insert tattle)", "Mommy, get me (insert any inanimate object of your choice {I have heard them all})"... I was already tired of the name MOMMY before 8:30 had ticked by.   It didn't help that my oldest was home from school with pink eye AND I had to start him on eye drops 5 times a day for 5 days, AND my other two children had to participate for precautionary measure... (after the math, that will total 75 eye drops for the next 5 days... knowing I had this task ahead of me I was already ticked off  because I was now aware that I will be fighting the ominous "Battle Eye Drop" for the next 5 days...talk about a Debbie Downer on your Monday Morning!!! BOOOOO for Eye Drops!)  

So, needless to say I started my day off on the wrong foot.  I took that little tangible piece of justified self pity and let it form a cloud over my day that set the forecast for gloom.

Because of my passive aggressive rebellion against the eye drops I was a woman on a mission.  A mission to make everyone else's day as miserable as mine.  Since the mother is considered the "thermostat to her household" let's say I set the temp low... bone chilling low... and my children followed suit.  There was impatient moments, there were tears, there was frustration acted out in aggression, and then there were more tears.

My favorite line from yesterday's chaos...

Zadie: "Daxx pushed me!"

Me: "Daxx did you push your sister?"

Daxx:  "Well, no.  At least not with my hand." (That's okay because pushing with other appendages or objets is acceptable. not.)

(Have you ever had days like this, or am I alone?)

Since steam was already shooting from both ears before noon, both the littles were in bed for their naps at 11:30... which was an hour and a half earlier than normal.  I had all of 2 minutes of peace and quiet until that plan backfired and I had crying coming from one room and the other getting out of her bed every other minute...  (My blood is boiling just typing this!!  I loathe spoiled nap times.) 

So.  What do you do when it's 12:00 and you aren't sure if you can survive until BEDTIME?

I couldn't go back to bed.
I couldn't leave the house.
I couldn't lock myself in the bathroom.

In this weeks reading in our Mom's group at church the author talked about 4 crucial cultivation tools in parenting:

• Modeling
• Teaching
• Training
• Grace

I read that last night, after my horrible-no-good-very-bad-day and I was totally convicted, yet at the same time totally thankful. I love that the author added GRACE in her list.  Because guess what, that's what I need, as a parent, the most.  Grace. 

After my husband came home from work yesterday I took 20 minutes in my room by myself to regroup.  I needed to come out of that room a different woman.  So.  I made conscious decision to get through the rest of the night and wake up tomorrow and start over.  Freely receiving the grace to do so. 

After I came out, I cooked dinner, we ate at the table.  At the table we reflected on our day.  

Me: "Mommy did not have a good day today did she?"

Daxx: "No, none of us had a good day...but Mom we can start over tomorrow."

And that's what we will do.  We will start over tomorrow, receiving Grace for today, teaching our children to make amends where they need to be made and modeling how to do so.  Hopefully yesterday I taught my kids that we all make mistakes, we all have bad days, but it doesn't give us permission to treat others around us poorly.  Its is okay to apologize and it's okay to receive grace and start over new each day.  Isn't it cool that God gives us "days and nights" as a point of reference to start anew?  Thank.You.Jesus.  

Thanks for Reading!

This post is Linked Up to Doing You Well Wednesday #12 at "Prowess and Pearls"

Where there is no vision, the people parish...

Lately, I have been reading through the book, "Finding Your Purpose as a Mom" by Donna Otto with a group of women at our church.  We are 5 or 6 weeks into the study and it dawned on me that I have never intentionally explored my role as a mother and home-maker.   I have done many-o-study on having a healthy marriage, or being a better friend, having courage, or breaking chains... but  have never taken an intentional Biblical look at my role as a Mother.  (Side Note: I say the word "Home Maker" not as a job title, because even women who work, are essentially still the ones who "make the home" for their families.  I just don't want to confuse that phrase with the "job title" some SAH mother's give themselves.) (Moving on.)  I have really enjoyed this book and digging to the roots of motherhood and my role in my home.

First off, I think society has put the cart before the horse when it comes to our homes.

Girls, we must take back our homes from Pinterest, we must take back our homes from HGTV, we must take back our tables from The Food Network.  Instead of spending hours preparing the perfect croque monsieur (which is a fancy French grilled cheese) to present at our dining room table, we must first have a vision for the laughter, the manners, the conversations that are to be had there!!  The beautifully painted canvases and charming mason jars mean nothing if you do not have bonds of friendship and trust between family members.   I would choose a self confident child over a hand made "quiet book" on Pinterest that took me 16 hours to make.

When you close your eyes and picture a vision of your home, does it go deeper than the color of the walls, the dream of marble counter tops and the smell of Ina Garten cooking her famous slow-roasted-filet-of-beef-with-garlic-parmesan-mayonnaise in your kitchen?  (which sounds kinda gross to me, but I googled "popular Ina Garten recipes" and this was at the top of the list...)

I am going out on a limb here and sharing something with you that I feel is a little private...."My Vision".  Nothing is on this list that I want to hide from you, and maybe it will be an encouragement to someone.... so I am posting it anyways.  (I still feel like I am sharing a page out of my diary with you; your'e welcome.)


This is my vision for my house.  Sketched out for all to see.  You may agree with it, you may not... that's okay with me.  (that rhymed, *sigh*) Your vision for your home might be completely different, or it might look parallel to my own.  But, the question I am going to ask you is:

Have you purposefully and intentionally mapped out a vision for your household?

Until last week, my answer was "no".  I would defend that "no" with excuses like:

• My vision is in my head...
• I want it to be full of love (and warm fuzzies), laughter and joy... (the more vague the better)
• The vision for my house is ever changing... 

But to be frank, I had never been asked to write my vision down, and I have never had enough self discipline to do it on my own, I am too busy washing clothes and changing diapers!!  In chapter 4 of Finding Your Purpose As a Mom, the author asks you to specifically map out a vision for your house hold.  She asks you to ask yourself questions like:

• What does it smell like?
• What do people notice when they walk in your home?
• What is heard in your home?
• Who do you want to see in your home?

Questions I haven't let enter my mind.  Besides my husband, I am solely responsible for setting the tone and the atmosphere of my home.  This task is up to me, and me alone.  There are few things in this expansive world that are totally dependent on me, and my home is one of them.  Am I viewing it with this much importance?   I have been viewing the "keeping of my home" as a chore, rather than a responsibly or a privilege, and to be completely transparent I haven't really had an "end goal" in mind.  I am in need of a serious reformation.

This last weekend we went to my husband's grandparent's house for the day.  The drive is around 45 minutes and since I have had motherhood, homemaking, parenting, etc at the forefront of my mind I started to consider his grandmother's home.  

His grandparents live on approximately 5 acres in a valley nestled outside of a small town in southern Oklahoma. It is the epitome of peaceful.   Mammy (his grandmother) is an avid gardner and in the summer time you are greeted with overflowing impatience and caladiums.  She is also a talented home decorator, in her day she would probably have given David Broomstead a run for his money on HGTVs "The Next Design Star".  She has perfectly hand picked every decoration, piece of furniture, and picture hanging on the wall with intention and purpose.  They live frugally, but have an abundance of wealth.  Their relationships are rich, their hospitality priceless and their love is genuine.  The moment you walk in the front door you are greeted with a smile and warm embrace, you smell the fresh clean air, and you could eat the comfort up with a spoon.  If his grandmother has any forewarning that you are coming over, something is baked and waiting for you. As the homemaker, she has created a legacy within the walls of her home.  This atmosphere of peace does not happen by chance.  She has poured years of her life into her family and her home, making great sacrifices along the way because she knows those whom she loves are worth it.  

My husband's grandparents have been married 55 years (I think?), and her home is still ministering to people.  (specifically to me)  Her vision for her home did not stop when her children grew up, married and moved out of the house.  Her relationship with her grandchildren runs deep because the time and energy she invested in them, opening her home to them for weeks in the summers, and attending nearly every sporting event each of them had.  Now that she has great-grandchildren, her home is filled with new toys for babies, toddlers and kids.  In the summer, they fill up the kiddy-pool days in advance so the water can be warm upon the kids arrival.  Her home is her ministry.  (And as a side note his grandpa is a saint, but I am specifically focusing on the womans' role in the homemaking today) 

Do you know someone with a home like this?  A home that someone has poured their life into?  A home that is grander than a house, one that exudes acceptance, grace, and love the minute you walk in.  A home that ministers?  (I know of several, this one has just been on my mind recently) 

Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision the people parish."  Maybe this is why the "family" has perished in our society.  As mothers and as fathers we have neglected to sit down and make a vision for our homes, a vision for our family, a vision that extends past the years our children are at home?  The culture we live in requires our nose to be constantly on the grindstone and when it comes to our families, either we are too busy to be intentional, or we are just too.dang.tired.  (I understand! Mee tooo.)  We must pause and consider to what destination we are leading our families?  That direction directly affects the generation you are raising and can set a path for future generations to follow.  You, as a parent are the catalyst in your small nuclear family, where are you taking them?

Let's get serious for a second.  Would you be aimless, half-hazard or reckless if you were given a longterm task at work?  

NO

If you were starting your own company, would you write our a 15 page business plan? (Well, you would have to if you were applying for a loan.)  

If someone tasked you with planning a community wide event; the planning process begins with a vision, and then it takes months and months to execute.  

Or say you were given a longterm goal to reach, would you sit down, map out where you want to go, and devise a plan on how you will get there? Of course you would. 

Maybe you respond by saying, "Um, hello Heather... I am NOT a CEO or an event planner, or a community strategist.  Why is that relevant?"  

I respond by asking, how much more significant are our homes and families than the "important" events, goals or businesses these jobs are created for?  If an "event" requires that much planning and forethought, shouldn't we put a tiny amount of mental effort into the strategic planning of our homes? 

In Donna Otto's book, she provides an example of how to map out the vision for your home.  I simply started by drawing a little house in the middle of a piece of paper.  From that I listed the things I most wanted to see happening in my house.  The smells, the noises, the sounds.  Some of them will not be a reality, like "no trash" or "no plies", but it is a vision I have, nonetheless.  (I value a clean and open house, over clutter and junk; that is my preference.)   When putting pen to paper, I dug through memories I had as a child, experiences I have had as an adult, things I value, people I love and I considered what I want my children to remember, and what I want my future granddaughter-in-law to feel as she walks through my doors.

I challenge you to do the same.  Write out the vision you have for your home.  It can look like mine, it can be a list, it could be an interpretive dance if you are so inclined, but do it.  DO. IT.

It sounds cheesy, (I know, I felt that way too.) but it is therapeutic and so helpful.

Thanks for reading.

2 final thoughts: 
- You don't have to be married or have children to have a vision for your home.  Young couples, one parent homes, grandparents or singles should have a home with a purpose, just as much as homes with small children should.
-I am sure over time, my vision will evolve to fit the needs of my maturing family, but for now: this.is.my.vision.

A Holy Home

I have read countless "how to" books on parenting.  Some I have included:

• Baby's First Year- My baby manual for Daxx,  before I discovered Google (this was 5 years ago!)
• Baby Wise- Screwed me up royally, I loath this book.  Key points I agree with but it created a lot of stress in my life.  I had to let go of that dream.  Release, Heather, release.  
• Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby- LOVE
• Happiest Baby on the Block- LOVE
• Have a New Kid in 7 Days... I needed this.  It worked!
• Parenting with Love and Logic- yup.  Thats hard to do, but worth it.
• Bringing Up Boys- Chalk full of great advice
• The Strong Willed Child- Again, a classic. 

Okay... So.  You get my drift. I have done my fair share of "parenting reading" in the last 5 years.  This list does not include the bazillion blog posts, online articles or other various media paraphernalia that I have laid my eyes on regarding bringing up my children.  I am an achiever.  I like to do a good job at whatever task I am handed.   Add that fact on top of the nerdy research lover in me and you have someone who probably over educates themselves on a few subjects, one being "parenting".

DISCLAIMER: I am not the perfect parent, will never be the perfect parent, I need Jesus like everyone else. 

Moving on.

I recently joined a "Bible Study" group for moms at our new church and we are going through "Finding Your Purpose as a Mom" by Donna Otto.  Honestly, I joined the group so I could get to know a few women in our church.  I love fellowshipping with gals who are in the same phase of life as I am.  I like camaraderie, I like to swap scary stories of our children running with scissors, but living to tell about it. (I kid)  I committed to reading this book, but I had NO idea what was in store for me.  (I already knew everything, duh!?)

Last week, I downloaded the book (which is no longer in print BTW), and did my dutifully reading before class.  At the end of the chapter my socks were knocked off and I was left sitting on my couch with my jaw hanging open.  Totally convicted, totally moved and completely shocked at what God had shown me.  I was caught off guard by the Holy Spirit, in an area that I thought I was a veteraned expert in, 'raising young children'.  

The author brought up so many great points, I would have to just quote the entire chapter, but here are a few of the main themes that stuck to my ribs this week.  

1: My house is Holy Ground.  

That's right... My. House. Holy?!?  Has Donna Otto been inside of my house?!  (I think NOT!) When I think of a "holy" space, I envision stained glass, wooden pews, tall ceilings and... silence.  This is not my home.  The rooms are scattered with super heros, baby dolls, and jumperoos.  The halls are filled with noisy children, clashing swords, and lot's of laughter.  At first glance, this is not a sacred place.  

But, she says...

Just as Moses took off his shoes on Holy ground, "Take off your shoes, he is saying.  The place where you are cooking, cleaning, and raising the next generation is indeed holy ground because you are mine and your home is part of my plan for changing the world". 

Oh. My. Word.  My house, is part of HIS PLAN?!?  Wowzers, what an eye opening statement. (And then I pose this question to myself: Have I been conducting my house in a manner that is worthy for God to use?!  CRINGE)   Recently, I admit, my accomplishment is just making it through to the end of the day.  Are all children fed? Check.  Is everyone clothed? Check.  Are we all alive?! Check.  Now that Dutch is 7 months old, it is time to get my butt in gear and be more intentional.  

"Intentional thinking is important because I think much of our culture has fallen into the assumption that home will just take care of itself...And, I think that countercultural thinking is absolutely crucial because our current American culture tends to be absolutely clueless and perverse in the way it views our home life and motherhood.  We live in a society that features entire cable channels about "house Beautiful" (HGTV) whetting our appetites for homemade bread and crisp, fragrant hand embroidered sheets..." And just think, this book was written BEFORE Pinterest and BEFORE Facebook!  How much more are our appetites whetted for a color coordinated house and fresh baked cookies?! 

(Do I spend more time on Pinterest than I do in the Word?!)

We must view our homes with so much seriousness, taking a stand again the schizophrenic culture that both idolizes and devalues the "home".  No matter if you are a mother who stays at home, or who works, when your family is together in your home, "Your Savior wants to use your life and your work and your role as a mom to change the world".

How humbling.  

We must shift gears from day to day thinking to having an eternal mindset. 

And no, this does not mean I will require silence in my home from now on, or that we will be in prayer 24 hours a day, or that my children will instantly become "angels" because our house is holy.  Nope, not going to happen.  But, it will cause me to have a bit more grace in training up my children, it will help me to be more intentional with my actions, it will cause my attitude about my "house" go beyond it's physical state and consider the value of the emotional and spiritual well being of my household. 

2: What ever is Good about God should be fleshed out in my home:

So, being contentious, short tempered and impatient are probably not attributes of God, huh?!  Good, because I am never that way and neither are my children.  Whew...

"We are called to look at our homes the way God sees them- as vital centers for accomplishing his work on earth.  Homes are tangible places where his love, mercy and righteousness are taught and practiced on a regular basis" 

So, am I practicing his love, mercy, GRACE, patience, and self-discipline with my children??  Am I modeling this behavior, and I teaching them how to be this way also?!  Are these qualities my priority?!  (They are NOW)

They. Must. Be.  It is my calling, as a mother, to be the one to teach my children these attributes of God by behaving in such a manner.  This alone is reason enough for me to draw near to God daily, because he is USING me to mold these children into who he wants them to be.  (no pressure, Heather) 

I cannot leave this awesome responsibility up to anyone else.  It only falls on me, and my husband, to instill these character qualities into our three precious children.  Netflix won't teach them, PBS kids will not teach them, their friends will not teach them, and (gasp) even the church will not teach them... it is only up to me.  The burden to "teach and practice" how live out these character qualities of God can only be full filled in the confines of my house.  Is my home conducive to such eternal work?!  The answer must be yes, and if it isn't, then changes need to be made.  Today. 

The priority of my house must not be home decor, gourmet foods, or organization... the ultimate priority must be for it to be a Holy place, a place intentionally created to raise up children WHO... 

• who are on fire for the Gospel
• who seek justice
• who love hard 
• who practice grace 
• AND who know God

These are the children I want to produce from my little house.  

These are just my thoughts on CHAPTER ONE... Can't wait to share what else I glean from this book. I can tell already it will be life. changing.