Practical Steps Towards Having a Heart for Home

November 11, 2022November 8, 2022 RefreshHerLeave a comment

I was blessed to have a mother who was home most all of my growing up years. I remember her presence in our home and what a warmth and security it created for me. When she wasn’t there, things just weren’t right. She created the cozy atmosphere, set the tone, kept things running smoothly and made it lovely.

A woman that has to work outside the home can do all those things; it will just take much more energy and effort. Some who ARE home struggle with loving it. It seems more like a cruel taskmaster that is breathing down their necks. Indeed, there is always something that needs our attention! But how do we deal with those responsibilities with joy, rather than dread?

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home · Home making · Uncategorized

A Heart For Home

November 4, 2022November 4, 2022 RefreshHer10 Comments

After being away from home for over half of the month of October, my heart and feet have been very happy to be back in my residence! I am very much a home-body, loving everything about home life. I think I’ve learned to appreciate it even more after so much absence. As I have “dug my heels” into the necessary chores and responsibilities of running a home, I’ve thanked the Lord for His gift of home, and for the blessing of being a homemaker. When our girls were young, at one time, my husband worked three jobs so I could stay home and care for our family. What a sacrifice! For many years, I have said to my husband,

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Heaven · home

Not Home Yet

September 28, 2022September 27, 2022 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Last week we headed out on a VERY long road trip. We traveled from Tennessee to New Hampshire where I was blessed to speak at the Ladies’ Retreat at The Wilds of New England. My husband wisely decided we should take two days to get there and two to return. The trip was fabulous. We saw some color just getting ready to peak in the next couple of weeks. We saw rivers, Cape Cod homes, mountains, quaint New England towns, and of course the beautiful campsite at The Wilds.

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home · Home making · Women's roles

Homemaking – A Tapestry of Beauty

July 27, 2022July 26, 2022 RefreshHer10 Comments

If you’ve ever done cross stitch, or embroidery you know that to create anything that turns into something beautiful takes planning. It takes time. It takes instruction. It takes intentionality. So when we think about weaving a tapestry in our home, we know that none of these steps can be avoided. The ultimate Guide is God’s Word. He tells us what it should look like. Then it’s up to us to take the needle in hand, and begin the tedious day-to-day work that is necessary.

Let’s look into God’s Word to get more instruction. Titus 2 says

“Admonish the young women to be homemakers. (Verse 5)

If that word brings to mind the dull, boring task of mundane chores, I ask you to read carefully and let your heart be encouraged about this important role.

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home · Home making · Wife's Role

A Heart That Makes a House a Home

July 6, 2022July 5, 2022 RefreshHer4 Comments

“Something Smells really good! My husband, Jeffrey exclaims every Friday night when he walks in the door. Most weeks, he has been around the world and back and when he walks in that door, I want him to feel that he’s really home. What he doesn’t realize is that what feels very casual, is, in fact, quite deliberate:: The music is playing, all the lights are on, there are flowers everywhere, and chicken and onions are roasting in the oven.

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