Chapter Ten....Creating a Culture of Beauty

I really love this chapter, because I think as women, we have tremendous influence over the culture, climate and attitude of our homes.  Having a welcoming, warm home allows us to show Christ's love-to our husbands, our children, and guests in our home.

Beauty's Expression
Are you romantic, adventurous serene?
*Uniquely you-Does your home reflect who you are, what you love, and the way you really live?
*Defining your expression-through color, nature, art, and objects
Beauty's Attitude
Like I said in the beginning, the woman can really make or break the beautiful environment in the home through her attitude
*Promote peace instead of quarreling-the Bible tells us to pursue peace (Psalm 34:14, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, I Peter 3:11)
*Cultivate contentment instead of complaining
Take it to God, focus on the positive.  I read a wonderful book while ministering to a family member called Finding the Hero in your Husband, by Julianne Slatterly.  She is affiliated with Focus on the Family and if you feel like this is a weak area for you, I can't recommend enough to read and pray for God to help you grow here!!
*Strive to be slow to anger instead of quick-tempered
Ask God to reveal the source of your anger, whether it be weariness, unresolved issues, etc.
*Set the temperature
You can decide the attitude of your home.  It's as simple and hard as that.  If I can tell this to our 2, 5, and 7 year olds, then surely as adults, we can choose as well!!
Beauty's focus
*Focus on your husband
*Focus on your children
1. the beauty of special memories
2. the beauty of the dinner table-Statistics are staggering at the benefits of that family connection time around the dinner table.  If you are not doing this as a family, why not start now?  Take that time to all gather together and share about your days.
*Focus on those in need
There is no greater way to get your mind off yourself, then by focusing on someone else's need!!

I LOVE talking about hospitality-I think this is really my spiritual gifting.  I want my home to be a place where people can drop by-that I've kept it with excellence-but not so pristine that kids are afraid to play.  As my kids get older, I want them to hang here with their friends.  I want my kids to remember family meals together where we discussed our day and valued one another.  If this is something that does not come easily for you or gets you feeling anxious just thinking about it, I want to encourage you to take a baby step this month.  Take one small step that will help create the home environment your family deserves, and you deserve as well and see what God will do for all of you!!

I want to encourage you to insert your name in this scripture this week....speak this life-giving breath of fresh air over yourself!!

Jaime looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) Jaime will not eat.

Please take some time to look over and answer the Reflection Questions as well as the First Steps outlined on p. 196-197.  Please have  Chapter 11, Professionalizing the Roles of Wife and Mother, ready by our next serving time on June 2nd.