How To Love Your Imperfect Home
I remember the day we moved to our current home.
The carpets needed a good cleaning, the fixtures were dated, and my master bedroom was half the size of my previous one. I knew all of this when we decided to make this our new home. However, I still found myself looking for imperfections and making mental lists of all of our future weekend projects.
The funny thing is that this home was an upgrade from our last place.
Our previous home had foundation issues, the basement would flood when it rained, and the walls were splitting. The home was literally falling apart.
So why was I not elated about our new place?
It wasn’t long before I realized that my ungrateful heart was the real problem and not my home. Here I was in a perfectly safe and clean home complaining about things that weren’t trivial. The same person that several years ago did not have her own bed to rest on.
I know it’s easy to feel that our homes don’t measure up when we are constantly flooded with images of designer homes by the media. Unfortunately, we wind up losing sight of what home truly is: a place to meet with God in secret, a haven for our family, and a place to share the love of Christ with others.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your home to look beautiful. But when we deem our home inadequate because it doesn’t meet society’s standard, we end up planting a seed of discontentment that is not pleasing to God.
With so many families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, we need to reevaluate the desires of our heart. How can we expect a greater blessing when we can’t be content where we’re currently planted?
So how can you love the home you’re in?
How to Love Your Imperfect Home
Here are some ways to start shifting your attitude and find contentment in the space you’ve been blessed with:
Focus on the positive
It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of your home. But imagine how much your attitude would change if you focused on the positive things your home has to offer?
Perhaps you live in a small home. I personally live in a home that’s considered small by American standards, but I love the fact that I spend less time having to clean it. We also don’t have a big backyard in our current home. However, I’m grateful that my husband doesn’t have to dedicate an entire evening to landscaping.
Make a list of what you love about your home as a reminder and begin to embrace the place where God has planted you.
Make it a haven
Your home should be your family’s haven. A place to enjoy and create new memories together.
Light up your favorite candle scents, create a comfy nook that your family can enjoy, or play uplifting music. I personally enjoy clearing out clutter and having a clean space that enables me to relax. I also have a few of my favorite Bible verses and quotes around the home. These are little things that can instantly change your mood and space.
Figure out what brings you joy and recreate it in your home.
Practice hospitality
This is tough for me because I’m an introvert and a perfectionist. Both traits that can get in the way of hospitality. I wind up stressing myself out with cleaning and cooking that I lose sight of what’s truly important.
However, God desires for us to have a heart of service, and what better way than by opening our home to others. Our home is a tool that we can use to fellowship and share our testimony with those that need to witness the love of Christ. This will also help you embrace your space in a new positive way.
Choose gratitude
It’s easy to focus on the negative and lose sight of how truly blessed we are. Each day take the time to thank God for your home, keeping in mind that this is not our permanent home.
When I find myself complaining about my tiny closet, I remind myself to thank the Lord for all of the clothes I’ve been blessed with.
Gratitude is being content in our circumstances regardless of what they may be.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” ~ Philippians 4:11 (ESV)
Do you find yourself struggling with discontentment?
My prayer is that you will find peace and joy in your current home. Trust that God only wants what’s best for you, and that even your “imperfect” home is part of His perfect plan.
Blessings,
Jesenia
