The awe inspired by the beauty of the Grand Canyon or the splendor of Niagara Falls points to an intelligent Designer. He's provided continual aesthetic delights for us. I'm grateful our Creator isn't dull or boring—but He has imaginative flair! He could've put together a shabby, dull, monotone world, but that would've been an extreme misrepresentation of who He is.Beautifying our homes conveys some of the more creative qualities of the God we serve. If we want homes that display His glory by reflecting His character, then it helps to become students of beauty and creativity. Soft, calming colors that blend and tastefully chosen pieces of décor and artwork provide an appealing atmosphere. The furniture doesn't have to be expensive or new to possess comfortable beauty. Small touches like scented candles and soft classical pieces playing in the background can fill the air with a pleasant ambiance. Framed Scriptures communicate His Word in an attractive and personal way.
I've heard that Edith Schaeffer, wife of the late Francis Schaeffer, led more students to Christ through her cinnamon rolls than her husband did through all his philosophical discussions. I'm not sure of the accuracy of that statement, but I do know that sensory comforts can aid the education process! After her husband's death, Edith blessed the world by writing a beautiful tribute to God's creative character in her book Forever Music. The following excerpt was written to challenge us to use our creativity:
To be made in the image of God, the Creator, means that creativity is part of what human beings are in the very warp and woof of their beings. Human beings can't help being creative any more than they can help breathing, or communicating with other human beings .... Men and women, people, were given the earth to take care of, and to use in interesting, original, creative ways .... There is a staggering diversity in Creation from the silence of snow to the delicate sound of rain on leaves. What amazing "models" have been made—not to be copies as if by Xerox or with a camera, but to give inspiration to creativity and birth to ideas in endless combinations and variations. The captivating ingredient in the whole fantastic stream of reality is that the Creator God created beings in His likeness so that each one could be a creator on a finite level.1
What ways are you using your God-given creativity to give your home an inviting atmosphere? I'd love to hear your "beauty tips" for the home!
1 Edith Schaeffer, Forever Music (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1986), 86.
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on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 12:19 pm
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Thank you for this post! It is inspiring. We were in the home of Christian friends recently (condo) and the beautiful way in which the hostess had decorated was calming and refreshing. Although I desire to do this in a better way (home decor), I'll share a few little decorating touches that I think bring beauty and warmth to the atmosphere:
* a vase (or vases) of fresh-picked flowers (or even artificial flowers/plants can add cheer!)
* the smell of a fresh baked good (when possible)
* the scent of a sweet-smelling candle, lit or unlit (be careful of the cheaper ones though, which may cause soot on the ceiling!) or a bowl of pot-pourri
* houseplants
* tasteful window treatments that let the sun in, and clean windows!
* homemade artwork
* artwork/photos displaying nature (God's creation) and animals
* photos of family and friends, or adventures, tastefully displayed
*snacks/beverages available (fruit bowls are pretty!)
*wall-clocks
*flower wreaths
*pretty tissue boxes
*a magazine holder w/edifying magazines
In His love,
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Blessings through Jesus,
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I've just returned from spending time in my cousin's home. I came home feeling relaxed and ready to "spruce up" my home a bit. She had scented soap and candles making every room smell nice. It made me feel very welcome to stay in such a nice atmosphere. Those little touches make a big difference!
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 2:21 pm
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 3:21 pm
What a blessing to have a husband that can, and is willing, to help out in this department! Also, Leslie has passed on several good tips for you.
In considering how you could "tap into" the creativity God has given you, here's a few suggestions:
1) Ask. Let God know that you are needy in this area and you desire to cultivate this area of your life in order to display beauty as a means of reflecting to others what He's like.
2) Consider inviting a few friends over that seem to have a creative flair and ask them to give you some tips. Ask for input on how to improve your home decor.
3) Consider attending an interior decorating or even basic art class (sometimes these are available through local libraries, craft stores, or community colleges).
4) Pick up a few home and garden magazines that will give you helpful tips and ideas. Also, use your computer skills to check out some good blog-sites on this topic.
Thanks for being so open with your struggle in this area. You aren't alone, many women can confess to feeling a failure in this area! Adding beautiful touches to our home is a way of presenting an inviting and attractive environment -- but remember, the most important beauty we can cultivate is the beauty of a Christ-like heart.
No matter how perfectly decorated the home, if it contains members whose lives are filled with anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and self-centered focus, the home has lost its beauty.
Hope this helps!
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I am asking God to give you wisdom and discernment from Him to know how to honor your mother, but also how to be responsible in the care of your own home.
Although you've probably held discussions with her in the past and sought a solution that would bring about an agreeable compromise to this problem, would you feel free to share this post with her and then humbly relay your desires to give order to your own home?
If she is unwilling to part with unnecessary clutter, could you propose that she purchase or rent some type of storage unit where these things could be moved? Or perhaps agree on allowing her to store as much as she wants to keep within her own living space, but explain that in order for the family to have a home of order, the amount she keeps must be limited to what will fit in her area of the home.
You may have already attempted all I've suggested, and my heart goes out to you, I pray you can reach a peaceful resolution that will benefit the entire family.
Revive Our Hearts has some encouraging radio interviews with Donna Otto on this topic that I think you would find helpful:
https://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=9244
Praying for you,
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 5:38 pm
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I get discouraged sometimes when I look around at my house because everything is in disarray, not organized and just stacked where it can be due to lack of finished space. I don't want to be a nagging wife because I understand how much he has on his plate and I can only do so much. Work in progress.
However, with my 5 children we try to keep things in order as much as possible until the day the house is finished! Families and children of all ages love coming to our house and its not because of what my house looks like! They keep coming back :-)
I'm grateful for the love of Christ and try to convey that to each of my guests whether family or friends in serving them and loving them in my home making it feel like their home or a place of refuge for them.
Thanks for the post!
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Thank you for your response to my post the other day. I just now got a chance to come back and check it. I deeply appreciate your advice, but I must admit, I HAVE tried all of those suggestions. As for storage, she already has several properties filled up with JUNK and is paying taxes and lot rent on them. I'm forced to pay rent when there are properties in my family that could be utilized if she would part with things. That's the most absolutely FRUSTRATING thing about it all, since she lives with me.
My grandmother's house, which she owns, has not been lived in since 1976 because she started storing stuff in it back then to the point of making it uninhabitable. Plus, she has done so with two other properties as well. I wish she could be MADE to do something, but she can't. I will show her this blog and maybe that will help. It has been an awful mess and a huge shame and embarrassment all of my life. I love her but she really gets to me sometimes.
I will check out the radio interview you mentioned. Thank you so much for your kindness and especially for praying! I've been crying out for a solution to this enormous problem for a very long time. God bless you.
Barb
on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I will pray for you too! The Lord has used the prayers of these dear people (Kimberly and staff at ROH/TW) in my life, more than once. Don't give up, dear sister! The Lord has the solution and it is good you've been looking to Him, even if it has been a long time. Luke 18 comes to mind about persistent prayer/faith, "that men ought always to pray and not to faint", and that the Lord is looking for faith. He is faithful!
In His love,
on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 5:53 pm