Home Sweet Home

Yes, home sweet home.

So cliche.
Yet, so true.

To know me is to know that I have a serious case of wanderlust....a deep desire to explore and take in the great big world God made. That said, at the end of the day, there truly is no place I'd rather be than home with my family and all the comfort that home is. I'm wracking my brain to come up with words strong enough to express how very thankful I am that home is where I get to spend my days, serving Him here with these kids He's given me to raise for this fleeting time.

Yes, I know that everything "bird" is overused nowadays but I do have to say that our home
really is like a nest.  (I am a "contented sparrow", after all. :) A place where the family of birds is safe and dry and cared for, a sanctuary where they are nourished, if you will.

Because I'm geeky like that, I looked up the definitions of "sanctuary" and "nourish"....

sanc·tu·ar·y /ˈsaNG(k)CHo͞oˌerē/

1. a place of refuge or safety

nour·ish /nur-ish, nuhr-/

1. to supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth

2. to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc.

3. to strengthen, build up, or promote

And I asked myself, am I doing that? Providing a safe refuge for my husband and children and anyone else who comes through our doors? Am I supplying in this place all that's needed for growth, health and life...spiritually, physically, mentally & emotionally? Am I cherishing, strengthening, building it up? What do I think that looks like in practical terms?

Well, I recognize that it's all absolutely by His grace. The Lord builds this house and we're but dust without Him.
I want my kids to know that the peace and comfort and love they search for is found in a Person! And I want this home to reflect that person. To me, it looks like.....

words everywhere that point to Him

warm light and brightness

and colors that cheer

unexpected treats

celebrations

a place where thanks is given

where each one's uniqueness from Him is marveled at

acceptance goes without saying

a place where unconditional love is given and received

compassion is the default

animals are friends

everyone is welcome

meals are shared

messes are made

forgiveness is granted

creativity overflows

diligence is cultivated

yet unstructured time abounds

something's always baking

a candle's flickering

vegetables are growing

and we are, too

prayers are fervent

curiosity is endless

learning goes beyond our books

simple moments are cherished

kids and parents mess up but,

thankfully, did i mention, forgiveness is granted?!

Oh, Lord, may it be so in this place.

May you dwell in the strength, comfort, safety,
and love of the One who cherishes you this day, my friends.

Megan

"My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!"

Psalm 84:2-4