Feeling At Home

Maybe it’s just because I love design & pretty things…..but I love to see other people’s homes.  (so I’ve included a few photos of ours)  I love to see how other’s decorate.  The colors they use.  The treasures they find at estate sales or in their own attics.  (does anyone have an attic anymore?)

I love to see the details.  The things that bring them joy.  (not that ‘things’ should bring us joy)  But if we are going to live, we may as well be happy looking at a few things that our heart delights in.

Your home should be THE place!

The place that you feel comfort. 

The place you want to come home to. 

The place that you want to be at the end of the day.

We don’t live in a mansion & we don’t have expensive heirlooms but I sit in our home, in different rooms & I LOVE the life that is lived here.  I love that the walls are covered with pictures of moments that we have found joy in.  Music plays in the background usually.  Candles flicker.  And peace ‘generally’ reigns.  And sometimes it’s not even just when we are all sleeping!

Even with 3 kids playing & crying & fighting.  There is still peace.  It sounds funny to say.  But there is a big difference between noise & peace.   Holy Spirit peace.  That peace that fills each room even when noise is heavy & loud. 

I do love beauty.  And it doesn’t cost much.  

You can have a beautiful home & not spend a fortune. 

 I’ve done it, so I know!

  It’s so good to be surrounded with ‘pretty’!  I hope that everyone feels AT HOME in their house & that beauty covers every wall, permeates every room & that loves resides over all! 

The Joy In Christmas

I love the sights & sounds of Christmas.

The bright lights on the trees.

The candlelight. 

I love to hear the bells jingling around the Clydesdales as they carry families down lit up streets.  Loved ones snuggled together under a huge blanket, taking in the delights of the season.

To listen to songs of love for Jesus.  The ‘Hallejuiah’s’  & the praises to the One that came into this world to save it.  He came for me!  And he came for YOU!  Seriously.  Like I’m even worthy of that?!?  YES….I am….You are….so, so, so worthy!!

I love the smell of the cold air.  The wood burning fireplaces that permeate the crisp nights.

I love the peace I feel. 

The calm that settles on my heart & on the world for just a little while.  I wish the peace of Christmas could radiate the entire year! 

In the craziness of shopping & cooking & parties & traveling, a peace still resides.

I admit, I feel overwhelmed at times too.  By the things that fill the calendar.  The over-committing I do because I want to be a part of everything.

I make lists & more lists.    Lists of…..

…things to do.

…gifts to buy.

…things to bake.

…Loved ones to send cards to.

…Parties to attend.

I love to give gifts.  To wrap them, in love, for the person I am giving them to.  And for each one I wrap, I pray.  For God to bless this person that I love with mercy & grace & good health & the peace of His love to fall on their hearts forever & ever.

My husband asked the other day what I wanted. 

I want this world to experience the JOY.  The abundant joy that God brings.  Not just on one day.  Not just in one Christmas Eve service.  But every day.  I want the world to celebrate His love, His birth, His death & resurrection, His love….every single second of every single day.  That’s what I want this Christmas!