This post may contain compensated links. Refer to my disclaimer for more info.
We all need a refuge to come home to after battling the demands of this world. I don’t know about you, but I get caught up in the busy and forget to make my home a peaceful and haven-ish place. The reality is that we slowly fall into a rut where home isn’t a sanctuary anymore and the thought to prepare our hearts is nowhere on the radar. The TV’s blaring, the house is chaotic, and we’re not talking to each other – we’re stuck on our devices. Sometimes my mind also becomes a cluttered and anxious hot mess. BUT… it’s a new season. Join me with these helpful hacks to get us back on track!
Prepare our hearts and home
Each season has its own perks. For instance, Summer is a great time of unpredictability, random fun, and messiness. That’s why we love it, right? What I’ve found is that by each season’s end, I’m ready to organize my life again.
God is so wise to give us seasons, isn’t he?
How to create time with God
During this fresh start, we can commit to a systematic time to spend alone with God. Only you and I can determine how long and when according to what season of our lives we are in. As long as our heart and commitment are present, our time with our Savior will not be in vain. We can learn lessons from Him that will change our focus to the important to-dos in our lives.
Decide when is best to get alone with God. For most, getting up before the family each day for the peace and quiet is a great idea. It’s hard, but it’s so rewarding. Find a short bible study online or on your phone that is profitable but simple (there will be a bible study group here on THTG soon).
How to encourage family time with God
We can’t make our family have a personal time with God daily. When we finally see the reward of systematic time with God, we want it for our loved ones too. We can teach younger ones how, but for olders and husbands, nagging won’t help!
All we can do is lead our family by example and use encouraging words. Committing to pray for our husbands and our kids on a daily basis is huge. Pray for them privately and in their presence.
How to create a sanctuary home
I’m not suggesting a perfect home but an intentional decision. A home where the whole family knows that they are loved and protected – physically and emotionally. It’s a tough world out there. Knowing that there’s a safe sanctuary to come home to will do more for our people than we could ever realize.
Have a no tolerance rule against constant bickering among family. Yes, there will be disagreements but there should not be a feeling of having to win battles at home. A sanctuary is a place to relax and recharge and be with the ones you love. This attitude begins with us. We should pray for wisdom to respond with grace and patience to our family.
How to create a cozy nest
Creating a cozy nest that our people love to come home to is so important. Would we want to come home to a chaotic, cluttered home? Or even worse, a perfectly neat but sterile one? No one really wants that, right?
I’m decorator-challenged, but I refuse to give up on this. Clutter serves no one, so the first step is to declutter and live with less in those areas like the living room and kitchen where the fam spends the most time. Then fill the rooms with some unique pieces that feel cozy and full of love. Things like multiple textures, meaningful wall hangings, and a burning candle go a long way!
I’m convinced that the reason everyone is ‘farmhouse’ crazy is that it exudes a feeling of cozy charm that we all want our homes to represent.
How to connect with our people again
There’s no way around it – as wives, we must fight for the limited amount of family time when everyone is actually at home together. We all have good intentions of family dinners and deep conversation. You’ve probably realized like I have that if we don’t set firm plans for it, it ain’t gonna happen, honey!
Create rules about device time during the evenings. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Is everyone home by 8 p.m.? Have a basket on the counter where everyone puts their device in it for an hour while the fam plays a board game, chills around the fireplace, or even watches TV together.
Even if everyone can’t manage to always eat dinner together, we can commit to an hour of undistracted family time, can’t we? Because of extracurricular stuff, this won’t be possible every night but let’s fight to make it happen on the nights that we can.
Agreed?
How do YOU suggest we prepare our hearts and home for new seasons?
Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.
☕️ It’s THE REAL DEAL around here ☕️
Declutter, declutter, declutter – I’m doing that too – with both God and with my home!
I’m going to pin this to read again and again. Such wonderful things to focus on, especially at times like this. Thank you!
Is it already time time switch seasons?! I needed to read this. Oh, and just a few weeks ago we started a device basket; it has worked great!
Author
Yay for the device basket. You know I love my devices as much as anyone – but we’ve got to focus on our families more! That’s why my mind lives in the old days so much. Such a simpler time! Thanks for your input!
love,
shan
These are awesome tips!! This summer has been super busy and we’ve gone through a lot of changes. These tips are just what I need to start working on as we prepare for fall and my girls to go back to school.
I’m trying to get organized before school starts – getting rid of old clothes and toys!
This is such a wonderful post. I’ve got to do better at finding time to just “be”.
I am all about the no-clutter too! I really need to set aside time before the fall gets here to really declutter the place. There’s always room for improvement around here!
This is great! My husband and I are entering a new season and have been really focusing on spending time with God. Together and alone.
Lauren
https://www.basicbabelauren.com
Love this post! Thank you ♥️
Author
I’m so glad, Kim. Thanks for telling me. Makes my day!!
Such a beautiful post and a great reminder of the important things in life!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Author
Thanks, Belle so much.
much love,
shan
Love this! This is really a beautiful post! Life is beautiful
I love this so much! I’m working on decluttering right now, but I also need to get back into a daily Bible study too. This will definitely be a focus for the week.
Love this! I have a similar post in the workings about changing the mood of your home. I love your reminder of the importance of family time. We have allowed society to rob that precious gift from so many families! No matter how hard I try to beat the crowd waking up to spend time with the Lord there is always at least one little begging me to stay for snuggles. One day they will be too big to snuggle so until then, I’ll soak it up and continue to thank our father for loaning us little souls!
Hello Shan, these are awesome tips. Such wonderful things to focus on. This is such a wonderful post. You have a beautiful home and decorated in a good manner. Thanks for sharing.