Week 1 - Making Your Home a Haven

A week or so ago I posted about an upcoming challenge from here - Courtney at Women Living Well.  Today begins week one and the first challenge is to light a candle in your home and pray for peace in your home each time you see that candle. 

This week, Courtney challenges us to be a Proverbs 14:1 woman "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down".   Courtney gives two separate examples of homes and asks the question - which one is yours?  Is it the discontented, rushed, unhappy home or is it the contented, relaxed, fun, prayful home?  She has encouraged me this week to slow down.  I don't have to get everything done on my to do list but rather spend time making my home a haven - a place of rest.  This was also the topic of my devotions this morning - finding time to rest, just as Jesus did in his travels.  

Yes, I have lit my candle this morning - it is sitting on top of my entertainment center in my living room where I can see it from almost everywhere in my home.  I'm going to use the candle as a reminder to:

1)  Read to my kids, play with my kids, and do all of the little learning activities I plan each week

2) Listen to my husband more, encourage him after a long day and pray for him each time I see that candle flickering.

3) Continue to make my home decluttered, cozy, a restful place to be. 

4) Take time for myself - if I am worn out and discouraged, how can I encourage the rest of my family?  Taking time for my daily quiet time, doing something I enjoy each day and just making my family happy :-)

So, after all of that - are you ready to make your home a haven?  Light your candle and ask yourself, what will it remind you of this week?  Feel free to share with me in the comments section and also, head over to Women Living Well and read Courtney's inspiring thoughts.

I love the ocean .. water in general . .. it is one of the most peaceful places for me to be - sitting on the beach.  I want to make my home feel that peaceful today.  Ironically, blue is not one of my favorite colors but as I think about my main living area in my home, I wonder, maybe I should aspire to make it remind me of this . . . just something to think about.