Caring for Your Environment
I am a firm believer that everything I have is a direct or indirect gift from God. If my husband or I earned it, it is because He gave us the ability and opportunity. When I leave this world nothing will go with me. King Solomon made reference to that when he said a man can work his whole life to achieve wealth, and what happens? He dies and leaves it to someone who never worked a day for it.
Ecclesiastes 2:21 "For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it."
Why do we want things? The most obvious reason is to better our lives. God gives us things to meet our needs but also to minister to and meet the needs of others. That brings about responsibility. One that is often overlooked is hospitality. It is easy to have the mindset that this is "MY" space and without realizing it we can become selfish about sharing our time and home with others. Often the excuse is "my home isn't big enough" or "nice enough" to share with others. Or the big one is "I don't have time." It does seem, however, that we all make time for what WE want to do. If you care for and are content with your environment, you will be more likely to share it with others.
What makes us a good steward with our homes? Caring for them and using them. In my last blog, I mentioned that keeping things uncluttered gives one a sense of contentment and gratitude.
Over the years I have talked with women who didn't take care of the homes they had because they didn't like them (or they were just plain lazy). They wanted bigger and better homes. If you don't take care of what you have, why would the Lord bless you with more?
Where to start? Think about homes you have visited and what made you feel welcome, comfortable, cozy, and relaxed. Are there things from those homes you can incorporate in your home?
You may not be able to control the neighborhood you live in, but you can control your yard and home's exterior. Keep the windows and screens clean, trim bushes and plants, keep the grass cut, add some flowers for color. Sweep the front walk and porch. Place a nice welcome mat at the door. It is the first impression people have of you and your home.
"Light" is a major factor in a positive outlook. In many areas, such as Alaska, were there are months with almost no daylight resulting in a high rate of depression. So many homes have beautiful windows covered with blinds or shutters and there is no natural light coming in. Open them up and enjoy the sunshine. If you have trees or plants outside the windows, you can enjoy the shadows dancing on your walls and furniture. If you have small or few windows, make sure you have bright lighting for tasks and mood lighting for cozy evenings. Have you ever felt depressed and just wanted to pull the covers over your head? Depression likes the darkness. Light will brighten your room and your attitude.
Music can create inspiration, relaxation, an upbeat attitude or make you dance through your chores.
Plants are inexpensive and bring the outdoors in. They add color to a room and contribute to air quality. Plants can fill empty corners and add texture to a bookshelf or end table, cost little and many can reproduce new plants.
Clean walls are a must. There is a great sponge that erases marks from painted walls and doors. It is also a good idea to keep a small jar of paint to match your walls in a closet for quick touch ups. Make sure to keep the paint formulas in a file folder indicating the rooms for each.
Spot clean carpeting as needed, dust and mop floors when necessary between regular cleanings. If your walls and floor look good, it is a great background for your decor.
Do repairs as you notice things.
Conversation areas in your rooms should be in an 8 foot radius for comfortable interaction and intimacy. There should be a table within easy reach of the furnishings. At least one or two good task lights (for reading) are necessary.
Line of sight is important in decorating. The colors and furniture placement should flow from one room to another. It gives a sense of unity to the total space.
As much as I love model homes and get great ideas from them, I want my home to reflect the people who live here. We have a history. I have incorporated some things into our decor that break decorating rules but they work because of the way they are placed. In the next blog, I will be sharing some photographs and more ideas on making your home a haven.
Have a blessed day!
Ecclesiastes 2:21 "For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it."
Why do we want things? The most obvious reason is to better our lives. God gives us things to meet our needs but also to minister to and meet the needs of others. That brings about responsibility. One that is often overlooked is hospitality. It is easy to have the mindset that this is "MY" space and without realizing it we can become selfish about sharing our time and home with others. Often the excuse is "my home isn't big enough" or "nice enough" to share with others. Or the big one is "I don't have time." It does seem, however, that we all make time for what WE want to do. If you care for and are content with your environment, you will be more likely to share it with others.
What makes us a good steward with our homes? Caring for them and using them. In my last blog, I mentioned that keeping things uncluttered gives one a sense of contentment and gratitude.
Over the years I have talked with women who didn't take care of the homes they had because they didn't like them (or they were just plain lazy). They wanted bigger and better homes. If you don't take care of what you have, why would the Lord bless you with more?
Where to start? Think about homes you have visited and what made you feel welcome, comfortable, cozy, and relaxed. Are there things from those homes you can incorporate in your home?
You may not be able to control the neighborhood you live in, but you can control your yard and home's exterior. Keep the windows and screens clean, trim bushes and plants, keep the grass cut, add some flowers for color. Sweep the front walk and porch. Place a nice welcome mat at the door. It is the first impression people have of you and your home.
"Light" is a major factor in a positive outlook. In many areas, such as Alaska, were there are months with almost no daylight resulting in a high rate of depression. So many homes have beautiful windows covered with blinds or shutters and there is no natural light coming in. Open them up and enjoy the sunshine. If you have trees or plants outside the windows, you can enjoy the shadows dancing on your walls and furniture. If you have small or few windows, make sure you have bright lighting for tasks and mood lighting for cozy evenings. Have you ever felt depressed and just wanted to pull the covers over your head? Depression likes the darkness. Light will brighten your room and your attitude.
Music can create inspiration, relaxation, an upbeat attitude or make you dance through your chores.
Plants are inexpensive and bring the outdoors in. They add color to a room and contribute to air quality. Plants can fill empty corners and add texture to a bookshelf or end table, cost little and many can reproduce new plants.
Clean walls are a must. There is a great sponge that erases marks from painted walls and doors. It is also a good idea to keep a small jar of paint to match your walls in a closet for quick touch ups. Make sure to keep the paint formulas in a file folder indicating the rooms for each.
Spot clean carpeting as needed, dust and mop floors when necessary between regular cleanings. If your walls and floor look good, it is a great background for your decor.
Do repairs as you notice things.
Conversation areas in your rooms should be in an 8 foot radius for comfortable interaction and intimacy. There should be a table within easy reach of the furnishings. At least one or two good task lights (for reading) are necessary.
Line of sight is important in decorating. The colors and furniture placement should flow from one room to another. It gives a sense of unity to the total space.
As much as I love model homes and get great ideas from them, I want my home to reflect the people who live here. We have a history. I have incorporated some things into our decor that break decorating rules but they work because of the way they are placed. In the next blog, I will be sharing some photographs and more ideas on making your home a haven.
Have a blessed day!
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