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Little Change, Big Effect In the Home and Heart

Have you ever noticed how a small change can create a big effect?  Oftentimes I overwhelm myself when wanting a different or new thing for my home.  It gets stuck in my mind that I need a complete overhaul!  Then realizing that is not possible, it is easy to get discouraged.  But a recent refresher course showed me it doesn't take a whole lot of change to get a big effect.
Recently my neighbor showed me some nice touches she did in her home that made a big difference.  One of the things was new curtains.  They looked great and gave the room a whole new look.  The best part?  She purchased them at a local dollar store for a very reasonable price. 

One day this week while running errands, I stopped at a local discount store Fred's.  They are not known for great quality products, but for their low prices.  They had some curtains that I loved.  Great price, great pattern, a great change for my living room!  So little effort, such a big change.

Many times I want the atmosphere of my home to change.  Attitudes, words and actions sometimes need a total renovation.  Where have I been known to begin?  By pointing these negative factors out!  Does this work?  NO!  It tends to cause a downhill slide.  The bad behaviors continue and there is the added burden of family friction and stress because my words did not build up, but instead, tore down.  God's Word reminds me "A wise woman builds her home."

Of course prayer changes things and instead of complaining to God about the things I don't like, I feel the nudging of the Lord to change ME.  "Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me."  When my attitude is right, big changes can occur in the home.  I can overlook minor discretion with grace, correct with gentleness in my tone and generally have a better (and hopefully contagious) attitude.  A little change in heart can yield a big and beautiful effect that can make my home sing! 

Making your home sing Mondays

Comments

  1. Beautifully put. Change our attitudes and change our homes! As they say, the woman is the barometer of the home.

    Love the curtains. I have never seen curtains at a dollar store, maybe I'll have to start looking more carefully!

    Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday.

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  2. It took me awhile to figure this out (and a lot of nudging from the Lord) that regardless of how others might act, I was going to choose to act honorably in what I did to try to glorify God in what I did and what I said. So regardless if my husband would say thanks if I did something, I made it a point to say thanks to him and not let it bother me if he didn't say reciprocate or to compliment him regardless of getting a compliment back, etc. I do remind myself that my "plank" is so much more bigger than others "splinters". I definitely want a heart that is pleasing to our Lord :)

    betty

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  3. A wise pastor once told me that instead of waiting on God to change a difficult person in my life, I should ask God how He wanted to change ME. That helped me deal more gracefully with that person for many more years. So, I can testify that the attitude change does make a difference.

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  4. So right - little things make such a big differenc....referring to so many different things!

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  5. Beautiful curtains!!! I love what you said in your post and it's so true as well as very inspiring. Blessings to you!!!

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  6. From curtains to conviction in about 30 seconds....you always speak to my heart. Love how you can take a normal event and find the Lord in it. Thanks for the great post.

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