5 Home-Shaping Tips & a Home Decor Giveaway!
Published February 25, 2011If you popped over here from my Encouragement for Today devotion I have running on Proverbs 31 & Crosswalk.com, welcome!
If you haven’t peeked at it yet, click here to get up to speed on today’s topic & giveaway!!! (Yay!! I love giveaways!!)
And, if you decide you like what you read here on my humble little blog, please consider entering your email address just above the word “subscribe” in the right side bar just next to this paragraph. You’ll receive any new blog posts via your email in-box. So simple!
_________________________________________
Don’t you just love Thida’s phrase?
“Thank you for helping me to shape our home.”
Home shaping is serious business. Just take a peek into what God says about a woman’s power to either shape or to shatter:
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1
Are we shaping or shattering?
Others are watching. What will they see?
Here are 5 tips for shaping your home. For morphing it into a place where others will both see and experience God’s love.
1. Pause before you pounce. Unkind words hurled at others in haste do not show the love of God to a watching world. All they do instead is show our ability to throw what my husband calls “flesh balls”. Remember, we are to walk in the spirit, not in the flesh.
2. Freely forgive. When wronged, as we all are sometimes, refuse the invitation to get “historical”, bringing up all past trespasses and blunders and such. (Trust me…I am waaaaay too historical waaay too often!)
3. Frown less. Would it kill us to ask a family member to “please pass the salt” with a smile on our face? Could we pass our child or spouse in the hall and give them a wink and I quick “I love you like crazy, ‘ya know!”? Must we treat complete strangers with more kindness and care than our own flesh and blood?
4. Laugh more. Listen to the young child’s knock, knock jokes. Get out the old home videos and reminisce. Pop popcorn and rent a clean comedy the whole family will enjoy splitting a gut over. (And note to self: Actually watch the movie with them. Put away the laundry needing to be folded. And the over-looked paper piles waiting to be sorted. And other piddly, distracting busy work. It will all wait patiently for you, I promise.)
5. Saturate yourself with the Word of God. Everywhere. On your mirrors, on your fridge, on the signature line of your checkbook, on the dash of your car.
Which brings us to today’s home-shaping giveaway.
In this prior post about my recent Christmas holiday decor, I spoke of my sweet, godly friend & co-author Trish Smith. She is a crafter extraordinaire who can whip up a handmade and heartfelt piece of home art with both her eyes closed!
Seriously!
Think HGTV expert with Jesus’ love appliqued on her heart.
One of her most well-known projects is her line of scripture signs.
I have one hanging in my laundry room: “Create in me a clean heart, O God”.
Our living room wall boasts our family name with a verse stenciled faintly in the background that reads: “Choose for yourselves whom you will serve; As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”
I have a marriage one in my bedroom.
Another inspirational one in my office.
And now, I want to give one of you a chance to also own a Trish Smith original! You could win today’s giveaway centered around one of her beautiful wooden scripture signs.
One gal who leaves a comment on this post will win the following package (valued at $48!) :
~ This neutral-colored scripture sign, hand-crafted by Trish Smith. (The dot of the “I” in the word light is a little flickering flame. Too cute!)
~ A $10 Kmart/Sears gift card to be used in the stores or online. Are your dish rags too ragged? Need a new pretty casserole dish? How about a decorative scented candle or pretty rustic vase? Get yourself something new for your home.
~ A signed copy of my book A Life That Says Welcome; Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others. 1/3 of the book is my story of marrying into a family full of gourmet cooks, decorating divas and even a bed & breakfast owner who was featured in Southern Living magazine—while domestically-challenged me could barely boil water!!
The remaining 2/3 features practical recipes, cleaning & de-cluttering tips, and home decorating shortcuts—all on a budget!
So leave us a comment on home-shaping tips you can think to share.
They can be words of advice to shape your home’s friendly atmosphere.
Or give us a quick or clever decorating tip.
Or perhaps a family-fun snack you serve to your clan.
Or anything that struck a chord with you from this devotion or blog post.
Or, if your day is swamped, simply say “I’m in!”
The winner will be chosen and announced on Monday.
Have a wonderful weekend full of home-shaping love!
Sweet Blessings,
348 Responses to 5 Home-Shaping Tips & a Home Decor Giveaway!
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
I’m in!
I’d love to read the book!
I really liked your reminder to listen to the knock-knock jokes and then to “really” watch the movie– I think one of our best ways to shape our home is to pay attention to the children, give them our genuine attention and our time– along with our love which is shown through these things in ways very concrete to them. One suggestion from long ago that I have taken to heart, in regards to opening our own homes (as a model for a well-shaped home, if you will) is to just invite people over…. they will enjoying sharing a bowl of popcorn and some iced tea while just being with you for a while. This isn’t a high-brow affair, but it is affordable for almost everyone (not in the magazine or TV realms, but REALLY!) at a price of less than $2 for 1/2 a bag of popcorn kernals, a few Tablespoons of oil, some salt, a little margarine and 8 tea bags, even with sugar… you can have a great evening with a lot of friends (old, new, or a nice combination). You can open your home as you’re opening your heart =-)
Hi there – I’m in.
Hospitality is definitely a weak place in our life. We have no extra bedroom, and a hectic schedule!
Karen, I love what you’re doing (must subscribe).
My home deco tip: I use Christmas-tree lights all year round (minus the tree:)). I drape them around a bookshelf, for instance. They give this amazing, warm and intimate lighting and help create cosy atmosphere at ridiculously low cost.
I’m in!
I’m in!!!!!
Karen,
I am thankful for your reminder about listening to knock knock jokes and actually watching a movie as a family. So many times I forget how short the time is with our children. My to-do list always seems to take priority and your devotion today reminded me that the to-do list will always be there but the innocence of my young children’s sense of humor and those teachable moments won’t always be there. Thank you for reminding me to shape my home not just share it.
As our children were growing and continue to grow up, my husband and I have felt very strongly about a safe place for them to ‘hang out’. We have worked hard to create that environment in our home – and we love it. Our children’s friends are regulars and like family. I always cook too much food, we always have a great movie going and we always have our feet on the coffee table anticipating one of our ‘other’ kids joining us. I love that God has allowed us to and given us the means to create a welcoming home and an opportunity to love these kids.
Please sign me up for the give away! Thanks!
I love what you said about saturating yourself, and your house, in the Word. I was convicted recently by a comment someone made at church about a very godly couple. I realized that no one…not even my children, wold say that about me. I determined then to become a more godly parent, and the ONLY way to do that is to be saturated in the Word and to hide it in your heart. I am memorizing more scripture and literally have index cards with verses all over the place. When I get riled up and want to scream at one of the children, I need only to remember the words in Romans and to remind myself that I am not good or clean or perfect myself and I find my anger a bit diffused. Thanks for doing this!
Love the phrase shaping my home.
Karen,
I love the story of “Shaping my Home” – its so true that when we come along side friends in their homes we are giving it life. Enjoying the gift that God gives in being able to hostess friends and family is a treasure. We need to remember that if we are the more experienced hostess that to guide and shape this gift for younger women is definitely a treasure to be passed on to future generations.
Thank you for all your encouraging words in insight.
I like to have lots of pictures on the walls of our family, not just ones where we are posed and seated, but ones that show us enjoying each other and remind us of things we have done as a family. These encourage me on days that seem difficult or just ordinary.
I’m in! would love to share ur book w/ my daughters!
I’m In!
We love to have family themed movie nights. We cook dinner that goes along with the movie’s theme and I add a few decorations. The kids love it!
One tip that I have for organizing is to put a over the door shoe hanger on the back of a laundry room or coat closet door. When we lived in KS I would put hat, gloves and scarves in it for winter and sunblock, sunglasses, ect for the summer. Now that we are in FL I just keep the sunblock, rain ponchos, sunglasses (and water balloons)in there all year round. It makes it a quick and easy place to keep and find things.
I’m in! Just subscribe to your blog and I hope to attend the She Speaks conference this summer!
Great post that gives me much to think about. I’m in.
i’m in!
I am really taking the time to learn about hospitality with your help. I am trying to get over the house has to be deep cleaned and perfect for any visitors to come in! I have a couple of your books and you are an awesome teacher and mentor! Have a blessed day!
Thanks so much for the great tips! I get historical way too often and this is good to remember! Would love to read the book!
In my quiet time this morning I was praying about my marriage and family. Asking God to help me be the wife, mother, friend and woman of God that he wants me to be. So hillariously as I went online to read my daily proberbs31 devotion yours was on “shaping your home” It is sooo true that God has gone before us and knows just what we need each and every day…it just depends on if we are in tune with him on those days! Your blog was just what I needed to hear…encouragement that I am not the only one who gets “historical” lol and full of great wisdom, when I get home from work today I am going to write out some scriptures with my family and start posting them up! Thank you for your blog and devotion and God Bless and I would also love to read this book and share it with a friend I know who often says she is definitely not a demestic diva!
Your 5 tips today really hit home. When I think back on my day I usually can see a time where I should’ve followed that advice. I am going to copy them and print them out to hang in my cube at work and another on my fridge at home to remind me everyday to follow your advice!!
What a great devotion today! It makes me stop and think about what kind of home I’m shaping. Not only does the house need to look neat, but people should feel the presence of God when they enter our doors. Great reminder to make this a priority!
One way I like to decorate is with candles that match the theme/color of the room. Lighting candles all over the house is beautiful, fragrant, and warm!
One way I choose to ‘shape my home’ is my make it a sanctuary for my family. A place where they can come home to and feel safe, secure, loved and comfortable Sure it would be nice to have a home that looks pristine like in the magazines, but it’s more important that my family can really live in our home and feel welcome and comfortable and like it’s really their home too. I use my kids artwork as framed art on my walls, we have a chalkboard wall in the center of the house that everyone can use, etc — little things can let your family know they are more important than all your ‘treasures’. =)
Kathy K.
I love your blog. I am hear visiting from Proverbs 31 and am now subscribed to your blog. Thanks for your insight! God bless you!
Hi Karen!
I think of myself as the CEO of my home…the Chief Environmental Officer. You know the saying “If mama ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy”; we are setting the tone whether we are intentionally doing it or not. I try to remember to be aware of my influence at all times. Love the new look to your blog!
See you in July!
Debbie
I enjoyed your blog so much this morning! One of my favorite things to do is make my own window valances using a curtain rod that has the curtain rings with clips and then I use placemats, napkins, etc to clip across the curtain rod — I can change out my valance easily and at very little cost!
One thing we do at our house is the Veggie Tales devotional with our kids (ages 7 and 6) every morning before school. We are trying to show the kids that you give to God first, even when the day is at its busiest! They eat their breakfast and I read the devotional. It only takes a minute and it sets their hearts on Scripture as they take on the day.
I’M IN!!!
Rest in the Lord and allow Him to guide your day!
Love, Kim
What a wonderful gift that can be shared with others, love to be a winner and be able to open my home to others and share the Word!
I’m in! My heart desires to be better at hospitality, but my head is always saying my home is too small or at the very least it needs to be cleaned better first. And I know inside another excuse is that I am just afraid of being responsible for being the hostess. This book sounds just like the thing I need.
I Love when family visit and I Love even more for them to feel welcomed and at home here in the country.
Would love to be entered into this great contest. Thanks
I’m in!
Almost three years ago, I quit my job to stay home with our new daughter. I never imagined what a transition it would be. I’ve often struggled with my new roles as a wife and stay at home mom. The verse I found and cling to is “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1.
Thanks for this post, Karen!
I’m so glad I found your blog!
My tip is to let your husband cook for the kids some time while you go out for some girl time with a good friend. You get a break and the kids get to eat mac and cheese with food coloring or some other creation dad comes up with! My kids love this (and so do I)!
I’m in!
I’m in.
I like your 5 home shaping tips. They are good and I know I should follow all those things, but sometime my flesh just gets in the way and I cannot carry through with being ” extra kind” to my family like I am to my friends….strange, huh?????
Wow! It’s like you read my mind! I am trying to become more aware of how I react to different situations. It is true that the family will mirror how Mom is feeling, acting, etc. These are trying times ~ Having scripture posted around the house will certainly help. God bless you and thank you for your timely devotion.
Karen, You always have such nice giveaways! Thank You for blessing your readers! Please sign me up. Thank You and have a blessed weekend.
I’m in.
Really enjoyed your post today! We love to entertain, but currently live in a home that’s really not large enough to do so. We will be moving this summer (Lord willing–we’re in a rental right now, waiting for our house in another state to sell) in the same town, and we’re definitely looking for a place big enough to use our gift of hospitality. God will provide!
Today I am going to remember that everything I do, my words, my actions, how I treat people, what my children witness through my actions, how I go about my day (with a joyful spirit or grumbling) is all part of what shapes my home. Thank you for this reminder and for a really uplifting message this morning. I’m so grateful for your writing and that I have found your blog! And thanks for the giveaway too!
would love to read your new book! ?
I love the idea of “home shaping”, like a potter shapes a beautiful vase or our Potter shaping us…something that is beautiful and pleasing to God. Am I shaping my home and more importantly, me in a way that is pleasing God??…my meditation for today…Hope you are feeling better…
? = <3
Thanks for another great article. I loved it. A Home is supposed to be the Sanctuary for the family. Everyone in the family should know that when they come Home that they are loved and that Jesus is in the midst of our Home. I am still lacking on a lot to be a realy Jesus girl but I am getting there and I am thankful for all the great advise you post. Bless you! Sonja
Shaping my home….what an interesting thought that you have given me to ponder. Thank you so much! What an awesome giveaway!!! Thanks!
Play with your kids – even your big kids! I played nerf basketball with my 13 yo son yesterday while listening to his music and we had so many good laughs. It was just for about 15 minutes, but when we were done, he said, “Thanks, mom, that was so much fun. I love you. You’re the best.” It definitely improved the atmosphere of our home and our relationship.
I’m in!
My kids are grown, and we have grandchildren we adore. Would love to share your book with my children who are now parents.
What a beautiful way to express the new beginnings of a marriage – to shape it! I love that! May God bless that dear young couple!
I’m sure you’ve seen the familiar quote, “Always Kiss Me Goodnight”…that is what my husband and I have hanging above our dresser to remind us every night! Most of the time, though, we do not need to be reminded…Love is beautiful!
Would love to receive the wonderful giveaway!
BLESSINGS!
Thank you for the encouraging words. As a mom of two small children I especially appreciated your 5 points. Patience is something I need more of every day. I need to be reminded to play and laugh and put away the laundry later. Something I gleaned from another mom in a women’s bible study I attended~ pray for you children and family members as you fold their laundry. As you separate their clothes you have an opportunity to focus the prayers for that specific blessing in your life.
It is good to be reminded that indeed we shape peolpe’s lives. Our kids are constantly watching us – imagine how much we are responsible for shaping!
Needed the reminder about not throwing “flesh balls!”
I’m in.
Words to live by-just what I needed to hear after cleaning 3 cat boxes–even the smallest task (or grossest) brings me to God. Thanks so much for reminding me.
I would love to win your package. I loved your story and what a wonderful way to “shape” my life in order that I can be a vessel for the Lord to shine through. Thank you for sharing.
As a single woman who loves interior design, I spend a good deal of my time decorating my home just the way I want it. But I also made a decision early on that my ultimate goal was to create a refuge of peace and serenity. Before I even moved in, I had my apartment blessed; and my faith is openly displayed in various ways throughout. While my decor may be serene, it’s Christ who brings the true peace to my home.
I am a newlywed and trying to figure out how to shape a home myself. One splurge that we did for our wedding was a scripture engraved unity candle. It is now displayed to remind us of our commitment to each other and to God.
There is a woman at our church who is struggling in her faith (well seems to lack it). She comes to our “mom’s” Bible Study, and we are all doing what we can to encourage her. In addition, my best friend is about to marry (in 8 days) a non-believer (well he says he doesn’t need God
My husband and I do our best to show what a Christian marriage should look like, through the good and the bad (including living on part-time income since June due to his job loss and me being a SAHM). However, I know that I always need a reminder of how to live a Christian life, it is all to easy to revert to the ways of the flesh!
Loved your encouraging thoughts on how to shape our homes, Especially liked the “flesh balls”. I would love to read your book because I enjoy having people into our home. I just have a difficult time finding the time with my job and time serving in ministeries. One thing I have learned over the years is that you don’t have to have a perfect cleaned house just a warm caring and loving home where people feel welcomed.
This really hit home with me in several areas. Hopefully, the word Flesh Balls will help me to refrain from saying hurtful things when I’m hurt or to bring up history. I desire to have a home that is welcoming to all and a sanctuary to our family. I was humbled by a friend who opened her home that way; she had mismatched, broken chairs, markings on the wall by her small children and it was tiny but you know what? We didn’t care–it was full of love. A home doesn’t have to look perfect as I mistakenly believed–just have a pot of coffee, a sincere heart and open arms to share God’s love.
I’m in.
You know, just yesterday I read something about marriages and when dh got home, I hollered “hurray!!! G’s home!!!” and he got the biggest grin on his face and even changed out his routine of caving and sat down for a chat. It was so cool! Pausing and reflecting, smiling when you ask for the salt, the little breaks in what has (sadly) become *normal* can switch up family dynamics so much! Thank you for a well-timed post!
Our family loves a simple snack- ritz crackers, piece of pepperoni, little cheese on top, pop in the microwave until cheese melts. Make several platefuls as they go fast.
Sometimes getting my teens to open up and share aspects of their day is next to immposible. However, I have noticed that if I have some kind of baked goodies on my kitchen counter they are all to willing to hang around in the kitchen. I then use this time to talk to them about their day and even throw in a few little extra tidbits that I want them to know. Such as “Jesus loves you even though you didn’t do so well on your test. Or you never know what the school bully had to deal with this morning before arriving on campus. Maybe he was hungry or sleepy. Pray for him and pray that you can be his example.”
This is how I try to “shape my home.”
This was such a good reminder to try to lighten the load and set the mood for my house. As mom, I often forget that I really often set the tone. I so want my home to be one that is centered in God’s love, fun and warmth to all who enter. thanks for the rminder Karen!
4 kids and THREE are going through tween/teen stages; along with a toddler – all the words of wisdom you can provide on making our home a happier place are truly appreciated. Thanks for today’s tips. Thinking of making some signs to put all around my house – I have cardstock and a computer! Could be my project of the day! Thanks again – would love to be entered into the drawing. Keep the encouragement comin’!
~ Susan
Thank you for the most precious devotion. I have reeeeaaallllly struggled in this area (type A personality) of making my home and heart a welcome haven. Soooo…I have embarked on a journey and have discovered Gods provision for a heart I did not know was so empty. God has; over the past several years, convinced me that the world will not come to a complete end and he will stil love me even if there is laundry left undone and sticky syrup on my table. I never knew the immense joy at hearing that I am the worlds (yup the worlds) best mom simply because I am there. I would love to have your book. Thank you sweet sister in Christ
My favorite way to decorate and to encourage my family is to have pictures of the family everywhere (we like black and white in black frames) and scripture everywhere on the walls. I have a verse above my laundry room, pantry, in my living room, each of my kids rooms, our room, above a big window with views of the mountains…and I am plannin g on adding more. I love having God’s word plastered everywhere. It makes our house our home.
Great devotion today! “I’m in”
i’m in
Hi, Karen! Thank you for the wonderful devotional this morning – it was what I needed to read this morning! Thida put it just right – we *are* “shaping” our homes!
One of my favorites is keeping Scripture on or near my bathroom mirror, to remind me of God’s love for me and remind me to keep my focus on Him, etc… I have also put Scriptures on my kids’ mirrors!
I also like to open all the windows in the home, to enjoy the cross-breezes and birdsongs! I know that’s not possible everywhere this Winter – but I live in Florida and the days have been Glorious lately!
Please enter me in your drawing. I do have a copy of your book already, but if I win the signed copy I will give one to a friend! <3 Thank you very much!
Everytime you are the featured author on the P31 devotionals, God speaks to me profoundly. Prior to moving to our new home God specifically told me that my ministry would be based in that home and making it a haven for people. I am absolutely decorating illiterate and so your book meant so much to me that I recommend it to many people. The past couple of weeks, God has shown me that I have slipped back into letting my insecurities about my housekeeping abilities hinder my ministry through it. Your devotional came as another encouragment from the Lord to be purposeful about serving others in my home. Thank you so much.
Your devotion really struck a chord with me. I’ve struggled for years to balance the life style of a husband that only claims salvation and the life of a mom trying to raise her kids the way God designed.
Shaping my home, or how another blogger put it, setting the tone. This really made me think today. Thank you for sharing.
I’m in.
Love the sign and it’s design. Know your book has to be good.
Enjoy your blog so much.
Hope you are feeling better and can move around some outside.
I’m in!
I’m in!!
I so wish I had time to chat. I’ll have to come back and read everyone’s comments later. For now…I’m in!
Your devotional today was inspiring and your helpful hints were great. I love the picture of “flesh balls” being hurled. Not a pretty picture. I love the idea of shaping our homes with a Christ attitude that shows love. A couple of things I do for my 3 grand boys. On the side of my fridge I plaster it with their photos. Each at their eyeball height. I switch them out every time they come over. They can’t wait to see what photos I have put there. It is easy now, because they are 2, 4,and 7. I will have to change this as they grow. The other thing I like to do is to make what I call “pockets of pretty” that way I’m not overwhelmed by my entire house and can focus on small areas at a time. Either, decorating, or picking up.
I do that history thing way too often. If not out loud, in my head. Lately, i am learning and trying to take captive those unhealthy thoughts and not be consumed by them.
I love art work but usually can’t afford to buy the cool stuff I want. Instead, I frame my children’s art. I have some from when my daughter was 2 and also the cool stuff they do in school. It’s fun to have it around our house and I think it makes them feel good about their work too! Another thing I use is old calendar pictures. They are easy to frame and fun to use. My school was cleaning out the storage closet one day and I tore out some cool pictures from a ancient music book and now two of them are on my walls. There are ways to have cool artwork with out spending a ton of $. Have fun looking!
Rebecca Ann
I love this devotional today! When my husband asked my dad for my hand, my dad gave him some advice,”Son, a woman’s home is her nest. Let her feather it the way she wants (within reason) and it will make your life a lot happier!” When we began “feathering our nest” we decided to write scriptures on all the walls of our house (which were builders beige) before we painted them. This allows the Word to surround us at all times! Thanks for sharing other ways to “shape” my home!
Blessings,
ML
The advice for home-shaping that I try to remember most relates to your comment about really watching the movie- remembering to take time to enjoy my family despite my “to-do” list! There are so many amazing moments I would miss out on otherwise. And this giveaway package is wonderful- thank you for the opportunity!
Karen,
Thank you for a wonderful devotion this morning. We have many young women in our church who are getting married and starting families, and I think all of them would love to have Christian women coming along side them to help “shape the home”. I think that’s a perfect choice of words from Thida and words I’ll practice using in my own life.
Bless you for sharing your thoughts with others and bringing God closer to each of us in a personal way.
hugs,
Pamela
Loved the devotion, something I’m continually trying to do – shape our home towards Christ. I’m all in – for the drawing and in agreement with your blog entry.
Have a blessed day!
I have a framed sign that says, “Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.” Sometimes we are so focused on the worldly things that we don’t stop to actually listen the the soft voice of God calling us.
Morning Karen!
This devotion really hit home for me as I converted from Islam to Christianity and was disowned by my family as a result. My journey as a Christian these past 5 years has certainly not been easy but God has always been faithful to bring people in my life who willingnly and lovingly stood in the gap for my family.
Praise God He did reconcile me to my family back in 2008 but it has continued to be a struggle with them being Muslim and not fully accepting of or open to my faith. Still I know God is able and I continue to lean on Him to give me the strength to be a witness for my family of His light and truth.
Some things I do to spiritually “shape” my home is play praise music throughout the day. It really sets the atmosphere of peace and joy in my home; even my 14 month old lifts his hands and says “Jeeshoosh!”
I do love decorating too. Lots of pictures of the people we love capturing the wonderful memories with them. We have scripture throughout our house too. One of my favorite ones is a little metal sign that my husband got to put near the front entrance; it says “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.” Genesis 31:49.
Have a great weekend!
I loved this deovtional. Such a beatiful phrase to have in my head as I think about all the things I want to do in my home. Shaping it spiritually is the most important thing!
One of our favorite things to do is read Curious George Makes Pancakes and then have our own pancake breakfast!
Today just happens to be my wedding anniversary. It has been far from perfect and we have walked a painful walk as of late but God always sees me through it all somehow, especially when I are unable to “see” for myself. What you have said was very “timely” for me in many ways. Many thanks for what you do Karen. ~?
Karen,
I have read your book and loved it so much. it spoke to me right where my heart needed it. My sister who is forty just got baptized for the first time! Your post today hit the spot for me and I can hopfully model for her a Christ-like life. Thank you!
Lisa
What a wonderful devotion this morning! To shape a home is a terrific description of what we do as wives and mothers!
Blessings to you!
Linda
I’ve read several things this morning related to the use of my tongue and the impact it has! I’m listening God! Thankful today that I have a family to love, share life with, and clean up after!
Also thankful for beautiful women like you Karen who put so beautifully into words what so many of us are thinking and feeling. Blessings.
I love your “welcome” book. I keep checking it out at the library and I finally went and bought your Homespun Memories from the Heart so that I can start some of these traditions with my family. As a mother of two small children and younger Christian, these have been wonderful resources! I have deep love for my parents, but my mother worked a lot and we didn’t have a Christ centered home. I always feel like I am starting out way behind as a mother trying to shape her home. I thank you so much for writing your books and blogs and sharing your wisdom. These are invaluable tools!!! If I don’t win your book, this will be another that I will have to go out and buy. Excellent resource to keep handy and to share. LOVE AND BLESSING!!!
This spoke volumes to me, and it will be my next verse to memorize: “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1
How easy it is to tear something (or someone) down without so much as a thought for the result! My prayer is that I will think before I speak and not tear down with words.
Thank you for your devotion. Beautiful. I like that phrase “shaping your home”. It reminds me that we should always strive to follow Jesus’ example and adapt his characteristics.
Just be yourself and be willing to listen!
The biggest way I tear my home down instead of building it up is by confusing living and life. I get busy living and meeting my responsibilities and I forget that real life with a capital L is investing time communicating with my family and loving them with me not just my hard work for them, which is sometimes for me because I really heart a clean house.