what makes a house a home? in our search, it occurred to me: home is where my family is. it could be anywhere. and i do mean anywhere.
the world will have us believe that a bigger, newer house is the American dream. the mansion in the latest subdivision is the answer to a better life. the world tells us that more square footage, higher ceilings, home theaters, granite countertops, gated communities, and custom closets is the key to living the good life.
i'm not fooled.
higher ceilings, home theaters, bigger, better, newer, more... it doesn't come with a guaranteed lifetime of happiness. probably quite the opposite. because in a matter of time there will be a newer neighborhood, with bigger houses, even more updated features. the school district will re-zone. and re-zone again. and the world will relentlessly tempt us with bigger, better, newer, more.
comparison. materialism. coveting. discontent. this mindset is a dark place.
i am not fooled.
i know what home is. and it has nothing to do with the house's square footage, resale value, or zip code.
home is wherever my family is. home is what we make of it. happiness is my family. my joy comes directly from the Lord, and He lives in my heart. it has nothing to do with the house where i live.
home is snuggling with my children.
home is warm and has character.
home is where my children play together.
home brings us closer, doesn't spread us apart.
home gives us more room in our budget to give.
home is where we can teach our children to be thankful for the real things of life.
more, bigger, better, newer...it doesn't matter.
home is family.
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| {i love this Mod Printables print} |
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"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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." Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
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But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 NIV
"Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life....Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God." Colossians 3:4-5 The Message
"Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"" Hebrews 13:5 The Message
"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." 1 John 2:16 NIV
