The boxes, the ugly brown boxes with slick tape and words like fragile, living room, guest room stack up in the new garage. Those same boxes occupy my new, would be writing room. But there is progress happening in our new home. Those same boxes used to take up living space in the family room, my closet, kitchen are shuffled to a more manageable place so we might do life.

I’m asked by sweet friends if we are settled in.

I hesitate and take a deep breath. Well… My first inclination is to say not quite.

The walls stand bare.

My mantle (I’ve never had a beautiful mantle…what to do with it???) is cluttered with potential decor. Disjointed and not the least bit pinterest-worthy.

Our old furniture sits awkwardly in our family room. My grandmother’s old recliner that I sit in at the moment, once recovered in cute fabric I picked out as a newlywed, has seen better days. Nothing flows in the room. Our budget tells us it will take a few months to save up for a comfy new couch that will hopefully welcome in our new friends for deep, meaningful conversation.

Frankly, I’m tempted to allow our front door to remain closed to hospitality and new friends until…well…I’m not sure what until looks like because I’m overwhelmed with my “Home Decor” Pinterest board.

It would be easy to wallow in this temptation to view my home as not a worthy home while everything is disjointed and not perfectly arranged on the mantle. You bet that my favorite catch phrase #firstworldproblems trails through my mind as I breath in and allow TRUTH to take hold of my lack luster feelings toward my home decor. I’m typing this with a “practice what I preach” moment so here goes…

If I truly believe that we are called to make Jesus famous in every square inch of our lives, an old red lazy-boy or lack of that beautiful Ikea couch SHOULD NOT keep me from RISING UP. So in keeping with the theme of my book JUST RISE UP! and the TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE I will indeed…

~Make this a house of praise regardless of it’s decor. Those who walk through the door will feel they are known as we go deep in conversation and praise His name forever.

Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever. {Psalm 145: 2}
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness. {Psalm 145:6}

~ Humbly approach the throne of grace with every type of need yet seeking God Himself with in these four walls (and outside of these four walls!) rather than what He gives us. GOD HIMSELF. Yes, a house of prayer on our knees is what this will be. A house of thanksgiving and a house of GIVING is what this will be.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you! {Psalm 145:10}

~Teach my child that this home, however lovely, is not our HOME. With a Kingdom perspective we will do life differently placing more emphasis on things eternal than that which fades away. New couches, finely arranged mantles, gorgeous galleries of frames on our walls pale in comparison to what awaits us in our heavenly home. Until then our priority is to live out the good news of the gospel and let our home be a refuge pointing to the heavenly hope of Jesus Christ. Kingdom minded, right in our own neighborhood.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. {Psalm 145:11-12}

~Allow God to arrange that calendar which hangs on the wall and holds appointments, practices, meetings. It is HIS agenda that our home revolves around. Might we add more white space to that full calendar?

The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing. {Psalm 145:14-16}

~Pray that this house will be a light shining toward YOUR beauty, goodness, mercy Lord! Let not my insecurities of slip covers, wall color, tablescapes keep us from bringing others in through the doors and ministering to their hearts. Amen! It is all for Your glory for you desire community among your people regardless of decor.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts. {Psalm 145:4}

Will you take this posture and make Jesus famous in and with your home? No matter the place, apartment, large or small home might we RISE UP! and make His name renown with in our four walls.

 ///

Would you like info on my book JUST RISE UP? If so CLICK HERE!