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April 19, 2017 |
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)
We bought a new-to-us old house not quite two years ago. While I liked the house, I didn’t feel at home right away. From the very clean but nearly Pepto-Bismol-pink bathtub and mauve walls, to the purring kitty and a bag of cat food on the porch left by the previous owner to help care for the neighborhood stray, right down to the cheerful welcome sign hung by the front door, this home told the story of the people who lived here before us.
And rightly so. Our own story here was just beginning. Understandably, we wanted to make some changes so this house would feel more like our home and tell our family’s story. For starters, our family is allergic to cats and I have an aversion to the color mauve. From the moment I walked into this house, I started to form a vision of what it could be and what I felt would best represent our family.
Finding a neighbor to help care for the cat and painting the walls a new color would be the easy parts of this makeover. The real transformation always comes from the heart.
These are lessons I need to hear again and again.
Making a house a home is so much more than investing in material updates. But when I’m in the middle of what feels like never-ending projects in an imperfect home, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
When I think about the way God looks at His children, I’m thankful our own personal shortcomings do not reflect to Him that we are an unredeemable mess. God refines us and makes all things new, one project at a time.
Because of His grace, we have stories of redemption and faith to tell. We don’t need a perfect situation to bring glory to who He is. Just like our home doesn’t need to be perfect to be a perfectly creative setting in which to tell His story.
Our key verse reminds us of this: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4).
We can place a beautiful bouquet on top of a rickety table to make it beautiful again.
We can hang a seasonal wreath on an old door to bring it new life.
We can polish a bathtub in an outdated bathroom because we see it as a gift.
We can bring color, texture and light to a space to make it a welcoming sanctuary.
We can display family memories to tell the story of God’s faithfulness and love in our home.
We can display His promises and truths on the walls of our home to be reminded of His Word.
We can show hospitality to others through preparing welcoming spaces in our home.
We can create beauty right where we are.
How amazing is it that just as we long to create beauty in our imperfect homes, He creates beauty in us as we grow and are transformed through Him?
His incredible story of redemption can be told in our home one chapter, one decision, one project, and yes, sometimes even one pink bathtub at a time.
Dear Lord, help me focus on the many blessings You have given me, especially those things I might initially see as limitations. Help me let go of my wants and focus instead on Your priorities for my life and home so my family and I can find joy every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Philippians 4:12b-13, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
For practical help in decorating your home (on a normal budget and over time), you’ll love the new book Simple Decorating: 50 Ways to Inspire Your Home by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Michaels. Inside, you’ll find more than 300 simple tips, color photos and lots of encouragement to guide, motivate and inspire you along the way.
Follow Melissa’s award-winning blog The Inspired Room to read more about her adventures in a fixer-upper and find tips for how to decorate, organize and love your home!
CONNECT:
Enter to WIN a copy of Simple Decorating by Melissa Michaels. In celebration of this book, Harvest House Publishers is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one by Monday, April 24.}
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Make two lists today: One to remind you of things you love about your home, and another to brainstorm little things you can rearrange, add or change out this week with pieces you already have to make your home even more welcoming.
© 2017 by Melissa Michaels. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.
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Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Wednesday, 19 April 2017.
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