The Importance of Home

As a teenager and young adult, I never understood the importance of home.

I was distracted by the things of this world—entertainment, status, materialism, prestige. My “center” was always out there. And sadly, “home” was often an afterthought for me.

When we began homeschooling, I easily fell into the patterns I had always embraced. I saw life as happening “out there,” and I felt the need to sign-up for more, get out more, and plan for more.

The Push of the Culture

There was often the pressure of feeling like I wasn't doing enough. I felt like we needed to be out more so that the children could "socialize." I felt like they needed more sports, activities, and options. And then, I often felt bogged down when we were out so much that I couldn't get through our homeschool day or keep my home clean and orderly.

This led to a lot of stress. I found myself more irritable, and the last thing the children (or I) wanted to do after a day out and about was come home and do our chores . . . or cook or tidy up. We'd all often meltdown in some way or another.

Now, it's not that any of those things are bad, but I can say that our culture puts a lot of pressure on us as parents. It pushes and pushes and pushes us to spend more and do more so that our children can be more in order to just keep up with the great out there. It's easy to get so caught up in it all that there isn't time left over for what truly matters.

It took time and years for us to shift our “center” and see all the beauty and life-giving fruit of home.

Home Matters

In our home, life happens in the everyday moments. We pray, we read, we discuss tough topics, and we grow together. We explore, and we create. We cook and bake and sew and craft. We draw and play and build and dig. We train, and we teach; we live, and we share.

"Quality time" happens in all of it. It's not scheduled or "organized." It doesn't require extra expenses or materials. It simply requires time and intention. . . the very things we often give up when we become so busy out there.

In the home, we nurture, and we cultivate. We build something greater and more meaningful, something more lasting.

And then, we take those lessons and gifts and talents, and we multiply them for the glory of God.

We share meals. We give handmade gifts. We practice hospitality. We visit grandparents and friends. We are moved from the inside out.

What we do in our homes truly matters.

And it is so much more important than what we’ve all been led to believe.

Character and morality and self-discipline all begin in the home. Love and respect and stewardship all begin in the home. Faith and righteousness and compassion all begin in the home.

Home is important.

Through home, we are able to point our children to our true center, Jesus.

May we not lose sight of what is most valuable.

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