Current Favorite: Book

At Home with Madame Chic

by Jennifer L. Scott

 

I devoured this book, stopping only because I was so inspired by her words that I needed to immediately execute them in my home. Many of my personal thoughts on home and housekeeping were echoed throughout the pages, so much so that at times I felt like she had invaded my mind and taken notes. Candles for every day luxury, music to set a tone to the day, clutter-free house for a clutter free mind, prep work for busy mornings; all these things have been marks of how I desire for my home to look and feel but reading it afresh was just what I needed this time of year to get back in the game of homemaking. There were of course things I have no current plan of making a part of my life, but the beauty is I can take and apply only the portions of it that match who I am and how I am wired. The same goes for you of course.

 

 

Homemaker.

 

 

 

The word might make you cringe, might make you smile, might not strike you in any particular way. But for me this is a word I want to embrace more and more this year. I am at my house every day for at least 18-20 hours. I have four children and a husband who spend much of their life at our home. It not only makes logical sense to work hard at making it a place I want to be, it also stirs my creative, up for a good challenge personality. Thus far in working towards these changes I will say that I have found myself relishing the precious days we have been given more.

 

My eyes have become more trained to take in the beauty all around, be it in my children, the endless piles of snow out my window, the way my house lets in light...all of it can fuel thankfulness. Christ calls us to be thankful. It is hard to be thankful when our eyes see deadlines, dirt, meal making and whining children as we bow over in an overwhelmed state. But lift up your eyes. Lift them up and see Him. He will accomplish his good plan and we simply need to heed His direction for us. No, it probably is not a home cooked meal, probably not a clutter-free entry way, but certainly is our heart's state as we go about these daily to-dos. While I strive to grow in homemaking I pray I do not miss the forest for the trees.