Be a Heaven
M
aker!
Early in February spring peepers started filling
the air with their voices, and out my kitchen window,
across the backyard, I saw daffodils blooming in the
woods. During that same week I watched two blue-
birds checking out the nesting box on a post in our
yard. Evidently the unseasonably warm, spring-like
weather had sparked their interest in looking for a
place to build a home where they could raise their
family.
These sights and sounds, harbingers of spring,
were very welcome. Suddenly,
like the bluebird, the desire to re-
furbish my own “nest” surged
within me! For starters I threw
open the doors and windows and wel-
comed the fresh, sunshine-filled air that
poured in, brightening and freshening all
the rooms in the house. Then Iwas seized
with an almost uncontrollable urge to go
after every speck of dust or grime that
might have accumulated over the winter
and to eradicate any clutter that stood be-
tween me and the “nesting place” of my
dreams! Once done with that I would
look around for ways to renew and beautify my surround-
ings, both inside the house and out. I want my home to be at-
tractive and well kept on the outside; neat, clean and pretty
on the inside. Aaah, spring time! Revival time!
My home is dear to my heart; my favorite spot in all the
world. At any given moment there is no other place, this side
of heaven, I would rather be. When I am required to be away
for any reason I yearn for my own space, my own surround-
ings, my own things, and the best part of the trip is arriving
back home.
Does that mean that my home is my idol? Does my de-
sire for beauty in my home mean that I worship things? Does
my concern over the appearance of my home mean that I
have too much pride? Does God read my heart and write
“proud, envious, covetous” by my name? In all honesty, I
have often grappled with those questions. A thought comes
to my mind: “Should I be satisfied with less heart longings,
less striving for things difficult to obtain with which to beau-
tify my home, cherishing instead that which God values
above jewels, a meek and quiet spirit?” Undoubtedly yes, but
I ask myself: “Does the meek and quiet spirit for which I
yearn preclude my having a home that is comfortable and at-
tractively appointed both inside and out?” I hope not, be-
cause I want to have both!
Then another thought takes hold in my mind: “It is a mis-
take to think that order, neatness, taste, and convenience are
actually pride and love of the world.” A gaudy style and
needless ornaments could be symptoms
of vain pride, which would not be pleas-
ing to God, but God has given us tangible
proofs that He loves the beautiful. He cre-
ated for man a beautiful world and
planted a lovely garden in Eden. He deco-
rated the earth with exquisite flowers of
many varieties and colors. Yes, I believe
God is pleased with the beautiful.
Do I yearn for an earthly mansion be-
yond our means to acquire or maintain?
Do I spend large sums of money to deco-
rate in a style that does not match ourway
of life? My answer to both questions is
No. I am very content with our modest home and my deco-
rating style definitely could not be described as elaborate or
gaudy. Rather, it is relaxed and I try to achieve an atmo-
sphere of softness, warmth and comfort that appeals to the
senses. I like to furnish our home with simple things that
wear well, can be easily kept clean and can be replaced when
necessary without breaking the budget. With some
Woman to Woman
Vol. 2, No. 3
“And ye are complete in him.” Colossians 2:10
May./June 1999
H
E
A
R
T
H
C
A
R
E
(Continued on page 12)
Our Mission Statement: Believing that we can find
completeness in all areas of our lives only “in him, who is
the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10),
it is the mission of Hearth to Hearth to provide a forum for
Christian women to reach out to each other in friendship,
with joy and hope; and to encourage each other to find
our completeness in Christ as we sojourn here on our
way to the kingdom.
