Bless This Home

My husband and I had a conversation this past week on our feelings about traveling away from one another, traveling away from our kids, or when our kids go stay with family without us.

Me and John like it when our kids go with grandparents and we have a little bit of free time. But if the kids are gone to long, we will begin to miss them and wonder what they are doing and when they will be back home. We love to go on trips with our kids and even without our kids on our anniversary. But again, we will miss our kids or miss our home. Even our kids will be asking by the end of vacation, when are we going home? The worst is when John has to go off for a trip for serving or for school, or when I go to a conference or retreat by myself.

This weekend, John is serving on the kitchen staff for the Walk to Emmaus Christian Retreat in Winchester, he will do this again in a couple of weeks. Although it has been a busy weekend and me and the kids have been home, we still miss him. Even with one person in our nuclear family missing, our routines are off and something just seems missing.

Our conversation acknowledged our gratitude for time with God and time of sabbatical retreating and vacationing. And we acknowledge our fear and grief when we are separated from one another. This is going to be a busy month, but with God’s help our home will be fine and blessed.

Pray and Read Psalm 127-128

Psalm 127–128 (NRSV)

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

A Song of Ascents. Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

The first psalm is attributed to Solomon. This was likely when the building of the temple in Jerusalem was finally completed.This work was begun by his father King David. Solomon felt blessed and relieved when he waw able to complete the temple build. This temple was to house the Holy of Holies, a place where God’s Holy Spirit could reside. David had promised that he would build God a home among God’s people and know that was accomplished.

What makes a house a home? Seriously, you answer the question?

I like my possessions, my spot on our couch, I have every kind of comfort item I need and I typically know where they are located. But of course, the kids and their messy rooms, my husband and his favorite spot. Our pictures and even the decor make our house a home.

But what really makes a house a home? What makes this church building a church? Many of you already know the answer to this for it has been drilled into your head for a long time. We will get to that answer, it is right after all. But I want to talk about them in order as they are listed in this passage and frankly, by importance.

First, we need God. For a house to be a fully blessed home, God must bless the home. The most popular verse in Joshua is said by the warrior leader himself at the end of his story. In Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:15 NRSV

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Israel was blessed when they served only God and had no other gods before Him. Joshua declared this as a victory cry for God’s people. i imagine him saying this as a unifying statement for God’s people to stand together and state that they will serve no other than God. For when their ancestors who were in the wilderness made the golden calf or participated in the worship of other gods from other regions, they lost their favor. The Amorites lost their land to the people of the One True God. They knew where their blessings came from. God Bless This Home!

Secondly we need peace and serenity. There is nothing like coming home and getting in some comfortable clothing and relax. When there is peace in the home, a persons mental and physical state is so much better. Some people, some children are not blessed with a peaceful home. Someone may have caused harm or is causing harm. As Christians, we should do what we can to ensure the ones that God has placed in our path have a peaceful home.

So, how can we find a peaceful home? When we find our rest in God, then we can really rest better than trying to find rest on our own. Sometimes the parents, who are traditionally the ones most guilty of this, will try to make a home by how much they work and how much money they can bring it. There is never enough money to do all you want to do. There is never enough time to accomplish all you want to accomplish either. The more you strive, the more you have strife. There are responsibilities that will always need to be taken care of, and bills to pay. Worrying about these things will not cause them to go away or become easier. Putting your trust in God and balancing out your priorities will easy your stress. Enjoy every moment given, from your time in your career, to your time with your family.

The third thing we need to make a house a home is family. Yes. this is the answer you all have heard many times. When I ask you what makes a church, the building or the people, what is the correct answer? Church is not the building but the people inside it. Home is not the building but the people that are inside of it. Whether you live alone or with others, your family makes your home. Your family can be your fir babies, your memories and creature comforts, or your hospitality when you have visitors. Family is those who loves your and cares for you, also those to whom you show love and care.

Home is where you can see your blessings. From your children to your fur babies who I believe counts. You can see your memories, make more memories and enjoy life in a God blessed home. You can cook what you want and wear whatever you want. You can surround yourself with the things you like and the people you like. I pray that each of you have a peaceful home. I pray that your home is filled with the Holy Spirit and all who live in the homes represented here are filled with the love of Christ. I pray for each of you to be happy and blessed. When we are each happy and blessed, then we can help others find happiness and blessings in the Lord. Your home is a powerful witness to those around you outside your home, whether you know it or not.

So, first of all a home is where God resides with His people. God should be an active part of your life, especially your home life. Secondly, you have to personally have God in your life, making your heart His home. Know that He is in control of your life and cast all worries on Him. He loves you and loves the ones you love so trust that you will be given all you truly need. Finally, show that godly love to your family. Protect them, provide for them, and spend time with them in an effort of balance. If you are single or it is just you in the home, then you must take care of yourself, which sometimes gets neglected. You must show yourself love and peace and make your space, your happy space. Rest in the Lord, and He will show you favor.

So as me and John were ending our conversation, I noted that once we get past this crazy month of travels, things will be better. John will be through with his two separate weekends of serving with the Emmaus retreats and I will have been to the New Room Conference at the end of September. When October comes, we will be looking forward to time with family and friends and making even more memories with each coming holiday. John added, “There is always something isn’t there?” I said “Yes, but we are blessed and can count it all as joy.”

Although no bed sleeps as well as the bed back home. Although no kitchen is stocked with everything you and your family like to eat like your own kitchen. Although there are many fun and beautiful places all around the world, there is nothing like the blessings of home.

May God grant each of you love, peace, joy, patience, and all the blessings in the name of our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.