Home

Home Sweet Home. Home is where the heart is. Home is where mom is. Home is wherever I'm with you. There's no place like home. So many quotes about home. For me, home has been several different places over the years. Growing up I had a wonderful home. I lived there with amazing parents and two pretty great brothers. We were taught right from wrong, how to make wise decisions, to go to church, and many other important life lessons. Now, home is with my family. I have a wonderful husband who really is my best friend and three precious children. Brett and I take care of our family together, combining the lessons we learned in our homes and raising our kids.

I love to be at home. Sitting in the yard, watching the kids run around. Digging in my flower beds, planting new things. If I take a step back and give myself a chance to reflect. I can even enjoy the not so fun things like laundry and cleaning. A few days ago I was changing sheets in the kids' rooms. I thought about how messy each room was, the floor cluttered with Legos, baseball cards, Barbies, and American Girls. I was angry because these things have a place and they weren't there. But, then a thought hit me hard. These rooms will not always be cluttered with toys. The kids will grow older and toys will go in the attic. They will be replaced with sports equipment and beauty products. And then, those things won't even clutter the floor. Their floors will be nice and tidy. Their rooms will stay just the way they are, because my kids won't live in my home anymore. They'll be creating their own homes.

As I teared up about these sad, sad thoughts, I realized how important my job is RIGHT now. I have been given a great responsibility by God. He has entrusted three little lives into my hands to instruct, discipline, and teach. What Brett and I demonstrate in our home will mold our children and affect their futures. I use the word demonstrate, because I know that my kids are watching what I'm doing way more than what I'm saying. From a very early age we see our children imitating our actions.

I want my kids to grow up to be like Christ. I want them to serve others, to spread God's word, to be lights in this cruel, heartless world. I can tell them that I want that for them every single day. But, until I'm like that they won't understand the importance. They will only hear me say "I want you to be a servant." But, they won't see anything to imitate. I need to become more like Christ. I need to become more forgiving. I need to serve more. I need to seek opportunities to shine.

Our earthly homes hold so much responsibility. So much joy. So much laughter. And, sometimes so much pain. But, this is not our final home. One day I hope to be in heaven with my Father. I want as many people as possible to be there with me.

At camp one time, we had a skit group come perform. One of the skits (the only one I remember) was about two friends. They hung out at school and on weekends. They talked on the phone. They sat by each other on the bus. But, they never talked about Jesus.  One day, everyone was put in two lines. One friend was in one line and the other in the other line. They were lines to heaven and hell. The friend in line to hell walked over and said "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

It is our job to go into the world and tell people. This does not just mean going on mission trips. This means telling your kids, your family, and friend. Let's not just stay tucked inside our homes living life. Let's tell people near and far about a home that's far better than anything we can imagine. Let's not risk someone asking "Why didn't you tell me?"