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Making Your Home a Haven Challenge

 
 
Every fall, there is a Making Your Home a Haven challenge over at Women Living Well.  When I first began to participate, our family had three sons living at home.  All three were active and involved in church, school and sports activities.  Since then things have calmed down quite a bit.  Two sons are adults now and as they have became independent, our home and schedules have slowed down some. 
 
But, the need to make home a haven has not dimmed.  A Christian home should look different than the world we are a part of through work and outside activities.  Where the world generates drama and strife, our homes should reflect peace and a place to relax.  Where day in and day out, pressures force us to rush, stress and be what others need us to be, the home should be where we come, let the atmosphere of love and joy envelop us, renew us, recharge us and equip us to go out and be the best we can be. 
 
This type of home atmosphere doesn't just happen.  It must be intentional.  God's Word is the foundation of a Christian's life.  Following His ways, bring great joy and peace, even in the midst of difficult seasons.  This challenge takes God's Word and encourages us to apply it to our homes while making an effort to make our home a true haven. 
 
Challenge Week One: This week the challenge is to buy a large candle and light it everyday in your home.  Candles add warmth and scent to the home and seeing the flicker of light softly swaying brings a coziness to the room.  Every time your eye catches the candle glowing, let it be a reminder to pray for peace in your home.  One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace, it is something in the life of a Christian that should be evident.  Praying for peace for our home and family is powerful. If we can learn to be peaceful at home, we can almost always be peaceful anywhere!! 
 
Let's let peace be the theme and as we pray for peace in our homes, let's read and remember a few verses on peace:
 
Isaiah 26:3  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
 
John 14:17  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
John 16:33  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
 
Romans 14:19  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
 
Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
Philippians 4:6-8  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
  
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