March 28, 2022
This post is going to be a very “unblog” post, certainly not one that would make me lots of money. But today I want to share my heart about something that is a very real struggle for me and one that I believe is a very real struggle for many other Christian women. Yet few have the courage to voice their thoughts and struggles and deal with the struggle biblically.
The desire to create and make our homes beautiful is completely natural and a desire from God Himself. He is the Master Decorator, and in a small way, our homes can reflect God’s beauty.
What is beauty? Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, yet beauty exhibits some element of orderliness and form as so exquisitely demonstrated in God’s creation. God’s creation in its original form was balanced, cohesive, and completely functional.
Creating a beautiful home is very important to me. Since I was a little girl I loved decorating and enjoyed learning from others who were skilled and talented in decorating. Now that I have a home, the possibilities for decorating are endless, yet to my shame decorating has often become an idol for me. I placed a higher priority on decorating my home than on God Himself and the wonderful people He has placed in my home with me.
Our world today is completely saturated with social media, and lest I shoot myself in the foot, it can be very helpful. Obviously, I have a blog and a YouTube account. We can learn so much from others, and I am grateful to the talented ladies who have shared their hearts and homes over the internet to countless others around the globe.
Yet, very quickly our hearts can turn from searching for inspiration to wishing we had what Sally Sue has on her Sally’s Sue’s Sweet Blog. Sometimes looking at other blogs and watching YouTube videos can be inspiring, but honestly, sometimes I am left feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, and honestly downright envious and discontent. Envy and discontent are sins of the heart and ones I have had to ask the Lord to forgive me of many times.
Does this mean that I should live an austere life with no pretty things and just the bare necessities? To some, that may be the answer, but I believe God would have us enjoy beauty with the right perspective. God intends for Christian ladies to be keepers of the home, and keeping the home includes creating a pleasant environment.
Recently, a simple thought came to me as I was working on my home. Don’t focus on decorating my home, focus on creating beauty in my home. This thought is undoubtedly not original with me, and surely other articulate ladies have written eloquently on their blogs regarding this topic.
What exactly do I mean by “creating beauty in my home?” Well, I would say creating beauty in my home is making my home a pleasant environment with what I have currently (time, resources, energy, and ability). This includes contentedly accepting from God what I have and choosing to joyfully make the best of His gifts to me. Creating beauty in my home has much more to do with my attitude and perception of God’s goodness to me than painting walls or setting up beautiful vignettes.
Decorating trends come and go. Colors come and go. I probably will not have the same resources whether finances, time, or energy that others have. Yet I want people to “feel at home” in my home. The best compliment people have ever given me about my home is that it’s cozy and feels like home.
Biblical Truths to Remember
Here are a few encouraging (and convicting) truths from God’s Word that have brought my focus back to God as I considered what to do in my home. May these verses quiet your heart and give your wisdom for your home. Ask God for creativity and wisdom. (James 1:5)
God is the Author of beauty, and He promises to grant wisdom if I ask. Sometimes, the very best thing to do is just ask God to help me be creative with my own abilities and resources and not worry about what others are doing! Rejoice with others who have beautiful homes. (Romans 12:15)
Remember someone may be wishing she had a home like yours! Keep an eternal perspective. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Eventually, everything I see will pass away, including my home. Yet what I do not see, such as investing in others, will extend into eternity. Are my priorities in the right place? Am I investing in my kids as I should?
Remember what season of life you are in. (Titus 2:4-5)
If you are a young momma with little people in your home, now may not be the time to repaint the walls, strip the furniture, or wallpaper the bathroom. Go outside with your kids and bring in some wildflowers and put them in a vase. Read a book to your kids and wrap up in a cozy blanket. Snuggle with your hubby on the couch instead of painting the kitchen for the third time. Maybe your kids are older, and you can afford the time to spend decorating and redoing furniture. Every situation is different and merits seeking God’s wisdom.
Choose to be content with what you currently have. (Heb. 13:5)
You may not always have it!
Keep a balance. (Ecc. 3:1)
There have been times, when I felt guilty decorating, like it was a sin. There have been other times when nothing could stand in the way of my decorating! God is a God of beauty, and with the right attitude, He wants us to be the keepers of our home which includes creating beauty and order.
I am currently in the midst of repainting my kitchen a crisp white. Due to my personal energy levels and the sweet little people in our home, it is taking me quite a while to finish this task. Yet the results are rewarding, and the décor will really pop against the white.
I had thought about repainting our living room which is currently beige, not a bad color just not the trendiest. After painting a very large swath of white on the main wall, the realization hit me that the current color is just fine, and in fact it is a comforting color. All my current décor works with this color, and at this season of my life, repainting the living room is not worth the monumental effort required.
Perhaps sharing these two scenarios will encourage you that yes, there is a time to push hard and refresh your home in some way, and yet there may be other times to step back and leave something alone. I get a chuckle out of some bloggers who just cannot leave well enough alone and have repainted their homes for the 22nd time.
Questions to see if my heart is in tune with God:
The following questions have helped me take a “heart check-up” to see if my heart is in the right place.
Am I getting angry if I do not get my way about decorating? (Ps. 37:4)
Do I wish my kids were not around so that I can finally do what I want? (I Sam. 1:5)
Am I trying to keep up with some blogger or YouTuber and her home? (2 Cor. 10:12)
Am I trying to impress others with my home? (James 4:6)
I once saw a simple quote, profound in its beautiful simplicity.
Beauty flows from a heart at rest.
Sadly, I do not know who to attribute this quote to, yet these are wise words. When my heart is at rest with what God is doing for me, I can see the beauty of His goodness (Ps. 116:7). When I was angry and discontent with God’s provisions, I lacked creativity and was frustrated with my belongings. When my heart was quiet before God and settled contentedly with His doings for me, I had the most joy in creating beauty in my home.
May you enjoy the rich blessings of God and joyfully create beauty in your home!
-Ashley
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