12 Simple Ways to Bring Peace into Your Home
She dropped by unannounced.
And I couldn’t help cringing somewhat. Ever-so-slightly mortified.
You see, she was an author, something of a celebrity, and now a personal friend.
So, of course, I was thrilled to see her, but was also deeply concerned about the impression we were making. Suddenly self-conscious of the layer of dust on the piano and the ridiculous pile of dirty socks by the front door.
I faintly whispered to my husband, “Oh, what must she be thinking??”
And his helpful response, “That we live here.” (Thank you, Dear).
But we soon lost ourselves in conversation and enjoyed a lovely time of catching up on each others’ lives. Ignoring the young boys rollerblading through the entryway and the teens crooning love songs while cleaning up the lunch dishes.
Our own happy kind of chaos.
The hour passed quickly and our glamorous friend got up to go. Before leaving, however, she turned to say something. Then stopped. Clearly something was on her mind.
“I don’t know quite how to say this….,” she began.
Oh dear. Here it comes.
“But you know what I’ve noticed whenever I’m in your home?”
The dust? The heap of shoes on the porch? An impressive amount of loud noise? Some of my silent guesses.
“It’s the peace that I find here.”
Hubby gave me a slight nudge.
Well. What d’ya know.
Where I saw mess and mayhem, she saw joy and contentment.
A peaceful home.
Maybe there’s no easy formula, but here are 12 simple things that can help bring peace into your home:
- Speak kindly. It’s amazing how a little kindness goes a long way to setting the tone for the home.
- Gather regularly. For meals. For prayer. To simply hang out with each other. Enjoy your togetherness.
- Laugh readily. Joke and play. Be ready to have a good time with one another. Lighten one another’s load with a good laugh.
- Work cheerfully. It seems there’s always a job to be done. So why not make the most of it? Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Phil. 2:14).
- Give generously. Of your time and your possessions. The home is a place full of all kinds of giving opportunities.
- Apologize humbly. Just say you’re sorry and ask forgiveness. Pride has no place in a peaceful home.
- Forgive quickly. Don’t waste time nursing a grudge. Let it go right away and get on with a loving relationship.
- Hug freely. Give your little ones a squeeze. Wrap your arms around your big kids. Your spouse could probably use one too!
- Pray frequently. Ask God to bring peace into your home. Lift up the needs of the day. Seek Him for wisdom when you’re stumped (or even when you’re not).
- Stand firmly. Stand up for each other. Stand up for what’s right. Stand strong.
- Cheer loudly. Let your family know you’re behind them. All the way. Offer your enthusiastic support. Who doesn’t need to hear a warm cheer now and then?
- Love genuinely. Seems obvious, I know. But sometimes we forget how powerful love can be in our home. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘”love will cover a multitude of sins.’” (I Pet. 4:8)
So in all honesty? I often wish there was a little less dust on our piano and a few less shoes jumbled up on our front porch. I don’t know why those dirty socks can’t seem to make it to the laundry room and I wouldn’t mind if it was a wee bit quieter.
But I guess we live here (as he often likes to remind me).
In our dusty, noisy, slightly crazy – nevertheless peaceful – home.
*For a FREE printable of this list, click here: Peace in Our Home
In His grace,
