Sometimes the world is like a great big storm. Perhaps nothing goes right when you’re at work. Perhaps you endured traffic jams on the way home.
When I walk in the door, I want to find a haven of love. I want to rest, and I want to be surrounded by a loving, fun family. I want to find smiles on their faces, and words of encouragement on their lips!
When you go home, what do you hope to find? What do you provide for others?
Have you ever tried to picture home life from the perspective of another person in your home? When they come home, what do they experience? What do they get from you? What do they get from the other members of your family?
Home is where we need to be able to find love. It’s our haven of love – or it should be. Ideally, it’s a place we look for peace, support, and encouragement too. Without those, a home becomes a lonely house. If your home is an extension of the storm, you’ll tend to seek that port elsewhere. The same goes for the other members of your family.
How do I know? There were times in my past when I did not know what awaited me on the other side of the front door. There were times when I felt there was evil lurking within, and I did not know what I would face when I went in. It made going home difficult.
How does your family view home? Is it their refuge or a part of life’s storms? I can assure you, you don’t want them to feel the latter.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Colossians 3:14
That could also be read: And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Colossians 3:18-21
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Ephesians 5:24-28
These are recipes for success. Don’t be afraid to bathe your family in love. It’s the glue that holds the family together. Husbands, be the spiritual leaders of you homes. Lead well. A godly wife does not mind surrendering to a godly husband.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to look around at your home and your family. Notice how family members greet each other in the morning and again when they return home in the evening. Take time to love one another. Show appreciation. Listen to each other’s dreams. Pray for each other, and pray together.
If it’s not already, turn your home into a haven of love!