Thinking Humbly & Soberly About Our Homes

Examining Scripture:

“For I say, through the
grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think;
but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt
to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have
many members in one body,
and all members
have not the same office:
So we, being many,
are one body in Christ,
and every one
members one of another.”
Romans 12:3-5

Evaluating Soil:

It’s easy to have a sense of pride about our homes. After all, we work hard to acquire and pay for them, furnish and decorate them, and clean and care for them. In most societies, our homes represent us and become status symbols of who we are and how well we’re doing in our social standings.

Unfortunately, our homes can influence how we look at ourselves and others. They may make us feel superior or inferior depending on our living conditions.

If we don’t have the home we want, we often dream of the home we’d like to have, or how to make what we have better.

Since God’s Word instructs us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, it’s imperative that our homes not become sources of vanity or arrogance. This thinking can hinder our holiness.

Experiencing Seasons:

Whether my home is cluttered and dusty or organized and polished, I always feel at home in my home. I can laugh, cry, be loud or quiet, do what I like or do nothing at all, and feel at ease doing it. It’s where I nurture my well-being and grow and where my hubby and I take our shoes off and live.

Unfortunately, due to our long-term remodeling plan and long list of maintenance needs, I’m uncomfortable about the condition of my home. It’s not that I’m expecting it to be magazine or social media worthy. But, I’d like for the current projects to be further along and things to be more finished and nice.

Why? Because I want my home to represent us well and show that we care about what we own. I’d like it to be more useful and welcoming and make a better first impression.

What I’m learning is, I’m being proud about my home. I don’t want people to think less of us. So, I’ve set false expectations and standards for my home that are higher than we can manage at this time.

Embracing Solace:

I do feel more at ease when I remember that everyone struggles to maintain their homes. That’s reality. Whether you buy, build, or rent, hire work done, or do it yourself, homes cost a lot and take a lot of work to maintain.

That’s why I’m trying to chill out, be more grateful, and embrace the solace of simplicity and the season I’m in. It’s hard to maintain my spirit of pride when I consider the many comforts God graciously provides through my home.

Enjoying Simplicity:

Simplicity is a beautiful word to me these days. It means I don’t have to keep up with others or try to live life beyond my means.

Employing Solutions:

We must remember that dwelling places are temporal tools that could be gone in a moment’s notice.That’s why our homes should never make us think we’re better than someone else.

Bring It Home

Have you ever felt too proud or ashamed of your home?
How have you overcome it?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC