Home, Sweet Home

We spent last week out and about at a national conference for our church association. I had a great time seeing my family and friends from all over the country. The kids and I had lots of free time to sight see and eat ice cream (yum!), but each and every moment, I desired to be home.

Believe it or not, I missed doing laundry and cooking and cleaning. I don't necessarily enjoy those activities, but somewhere along the way I've learned to appreciate them. They are some of the ways I take care of my family, the way I build my house.

I also missed our family devotional time, when we curl up on the couch and read and pray together. I missed walks in the park and playing outside. I missed the time spent on my living room floor, giggling and pretending to fold laundry (I fold. Rooster unfolds. It’s a game we play).

I missed those quiet lunches with my husband when our kids, by the grace of God, decide to take an early nap. I missed having time in the evening to wind down and reconnect with my husband after a long day of work.

I missed being home.

Vacations are wonderful, but at the end of the day, I long for the structure, stability, and peace of our daily routine at home. 

Home is where my heart best connects with my Savior. I find peace in hanging laundry on the line on a sweltering warm day. I find contentment in my routine Bible reading. I find joy in knowing that I am doing the work God has set before me to do this day, even if most of it will have to be done again tomorrow {smile}.

I haven't always felt this way. I've done my fair share of complaining and wishing and wanting to be out there doing something, anything other than staying home. But this past month God has revealed a change in my heart. I know there is a big wide world of adventure out there, things to do and places to see, but none of it seems all that important to me anymore. 

I'm sure there will still be days when I can't wait to get out of the house, but right now, my heart is irresistibly drawn to the joy, the contentment, and the rest found in these four walls, the daily blessings of loving my family and building my home.