Sometimes at the end of a long day I think back to what I've accomplished and frankly, I've got nothing.
Loads of laundry left piled, dishes washed, a bookshelf half organized resulting in a bigger mess that I'll have to tackle tomorrow, dinners cooked only to end up scooted around on a dish and somewhat complained about. Sometimes I wonder why I don't just get rid of everything in our house and cook the same two meals every night.
But I know why I toil with organizing bookshelves, experimenting with new meals and daring to risk wasting a precious hour on a craft that may or may not turn out. Because it adds to our home experience.
Home. Do you love being there? Does your family look forward to going home?
Our home is my headquarters. I work, play, create and invest in lives at home. Home is where my ministry is based. The ministry to my husband and boys. Home should be the safest, most comforting, inviting, beautiful, invigorating, welcoming place here on earth. I feel like anything I do that enhances our experience at home is well worth the trouble. Time making our home beautiful and orderly is time well spent.
But I don't want to have a lovely home just for the sake of loveliness–what a sad waste, like plastic protectors on a sofa. A home that has been tended to sets the stage so the most important stuff can happen.
So on a day like today, as I sit surrounded by the undone, I recognize that I am in the midst of big things slowly getting done one day at a time in the comfort of our home. And I am thankful I have the privilege to set the stage.
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Tara Morin says
OH WOW…I love your post so much. I mean, it’s just been the last few weeks that I had to look in the mirror and say ‘no’ to some people who were asking me to help in ways I didn’t feel like my ‘home life’ wouldn’t be jeopordized by doing. I prayed about it, thought about it and realized that my home is part of my mission as well and that it’s OK!!
Thank you for reconfirming that I’m not the only one in these shoes!
Southern Gal says
I need to re-evaluate my time spent on projects in my home. I seem to think I can just let all that go now for some reason. Thanks for the boost.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
I needed to hear this so badly. Turning in my notice to quit my job was a horribly nerve-wrecking decision. Not because I was afraid to stay at home, it was more that I knew that some women “need” to have a career and wouldn’t understand my reasons. I am not one of those who need to work. I NEED to be at home. It makes my family happier, my home run smoother and at the end of the day, it makes life fuller. Being at home is my opportunity to feed my children, not only putting food in their bellies, but feeding their lives with richness and comfort and tending to their souls, which I cannot provide while working 40+ hours and coming home to be exhausted by the office drama of the day. I applaud women who can work and keep their homes running smoothly, but I am not one of those women.
Thank you, THANK YOU, my friend, for the comfort of knowing I am not the only one who “gets” the fact that these needs have to be filled, these needs are as important as an outside job. You have truly touched my heart today.
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
Just last night my husband & I had a discussion about this. My asking him if it is stupid (sorry, I hate that word too), if I am wasting my time doing what I do here at home.
You can imagine my pleasure when he said it was not.
I, too am so thankful to have the opportunity to set the stage.
melissa*320 sycamore says
Girl, there is more than one writer in your family. Beautiful words.
emily says
What a beautifully inspiring post. Thanks for writing it.
Candace says
Thank you so much for this post. It really encouraged me! I never thought of my ministry being where my ministry is based, but you’re so right!
Richella says
What a beautiful reminder of what’s what. Leave it to Nester to keep things straight–if not in the family room and kitchen, then at least in her heart.
Natalie @ Naddy's Blog says
Thanks for this post! Taking a rest from working in my living room, after taking 15 minutes first to unearth my living room, which has obviously been *lived* in! This was the perfect encouragement.
Marilyn Yocum says
LOVED this! The invisible unsung heroes of life are those who create spaces in which the important can happen.
Monica says
I love this post. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones on overdrive, but I have been nesting like a mad woman for the past month, and this was just what I needed to make me take a look at my motives. Whew! I came out on the other side with a newfound “permission” to nest my heart out. For now, this is my calling to my family; this truly is my purpose.
Thanks, as always, Nester-lady. You rock.
duchess says
What a great way to look at our everyday lives. Sometimes we just need things put into perspective. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement & advice.
Cindy says
Guess I need to reevaluate my situation..huh, after my post this morning at my blog. I feel completely as you do….but for someone who has moved as often as you have, would love some advice on how you live up until the moment you pack everything up and into the moving van. (you’d have to check out my post to see what I mean)
Thanks Nester, can I be you when I grow up?
Hugs!
Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home says
When things are a mess, I’m temped to throw everything out too! Thanks for the reminder.
Katy says
So beautifully said!! Thank you for reminding me what I needed a reminder on!
katie says
thank you………
Gussy says
woo hoo for YOU, Nester 🙂
I love how you put the attention on a home being a safe place. Not just a beautiful place, but a safe, fun, amazing place to be.
xo
Sherry says
Inspiring post! Definitely want to make my house a “home” that the children and hubby want to be in and myself. I can’t tell you how discouraging it is to wake up to have dishes in the sink/laundry to be done, etc.
Abbie says
Thanks for the reminder that the mundane AND fun/pretty things are important for having a safe, welcoming home! Well said!
ClassiclyAmber says
Thank you! That was just the encouragement that I needed to read about today. I, too, feel that my most important ministry is my husband and children…and need to live it more!
<3
Terri says
This is SO my heart, too. Our home is my mission. I have beautiful, fabulous, wonderful children. I am so blessed to be here for them. I have been home for 12.5 years and have never wanted to be anywhere else. My husband, though, is very discouraged about the state of his career and thinks I need to go to work full time. The thought makes me so sad. But God is in control and has a plan! Blessings!
BlueCastle says
This is perfect. So many times I feel discouraged and as though what I do is not worth much, but you’re right – home is my mission.
Thank you.
Chantel says
That was beautiful. I hope I can remember that home is part of my mission as things get hard. thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings and writings with the world. It helps to know others understand.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Great post, Nester! 🙂 You have a great way of offering gentle reminders that give me some real food for thought. 🙂
FaithBarista Bonnie says
“I recognize that I am in the midst of big things slowly getting done one day at a time in the comfort of our home.”
This line really spoke to me and made me smile. We are doing what is most important, even though it doesn’t feel that way!
What a wonderful encouragement for me, on this rainy stormy day — at home with the kids.
I tell myself that God sees what no one else sees – and I pray He rewards me by helping me get through the day.
Bugs & Sunshine says
And THIS is why I love you so much! You are such a doll!
Summer says
Inspiring and beautifully said! Your description sounds amazingly like my house! This is encouragement I need often!
Bonita says
Lovely message and one I need to embrace.
Kimberly says
As someone who has often looked elsewhere for my “ministry”, I so appreciate this resetting of what is important and of value. My husband and children need to be ministered to before anyone else. Thanks Nester!
PS Good luck with the books. We have shelves in every room, and there are still stacks in every nook and cranny!
Holly says
what a great post! Thanks Nester!
Holley Gerth says
Nester, I thought about this post on the drive to work this morning and I said to myself, “Self, Nester is saying that your home just needs to be your favorite place in the whole world. That’s all. Nothing fancy-schmancy.” And I breathed this HUGE sigh of relief because I think lots of times it feels like home is supposed to be for everyone else…to make us look like Martha or whoever. And I can’t decorate worth a flip so that scares the living daylights out of me. But what you shared gave me so much freedom to just make home what I love and what I want to share with others I love too. You’re wonderful…thank you!!
Crystal says
Whew. I came here today & read this & it was meant for me to read! I was feeling so discouraged today, looking around. Thanks for the post. You inspire without knowing the impact. God Bless.
The Scooper says
As always, your big dose of perspective puts me in my place…in the best way.
monique says
oh what a nice post! I was just chatting with my friend about how my house resembles those on “hoarders” (minus anything smelly and rotting) So much to do 😉
Jen Kirby says
after reading this post I wondered whether you have seen Flylady.net it is a website that helps us to get our housework into focus I love it because now I have a shiny kitchen sink which is the starting point – as I was one of those who hated housework – just thought it might help others also
tiny twig says
sweet friend–your little post encouraged me a lot today. 🙂 it was a day where i was feeling like home life is so…blah.
Mary @ Passionate Perseverance says
thank you for sharing. I need to go and finish my bookcase now…inspiration has come at last.
blessings and grace…
Amy Fixx says
Thanks for this post! It has been a long day…it’s nice to know other people share the same views on taking care of their family:)
Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms says
Nester-girl,
Usually, decorating and home-improvement type folks stress me out, but you most certainly do not. After reading your encouraging posts and easy-breezy decorating advice, I feel “free to be me” and create the home best suited for my family.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom! What a gift He has given you!
Liz says
Tomorrow my family and I will be moving into our perfect little dream home. As I type, it is new and beige. Thank you for comfirming for me my decision to just live in our house to “feel it out” before I dress it up. I want it to be a reflection of our family, not a backdrop of what I want others to think of me. Also, thanks for the reminder that our homes are our ministries. I really needed to see that today.
Heathahlee says
I wonder sometimes why I do some of the things I do in and for our home. I mean, we love having people over, but not just that…I want it to invite ME and my family in. So that we WANT to be at home, not scattered hither and yon…wherever that is. So, you just explained it better than I ever could have…I do that stuff “because it adds to our home experience.”
Thank you!
Rebecca says
Thank you for the encouragement! It’s so easy to see what we’re NOT doing, instead of focusing on what we ARE!
Sophie says
Thanks for this! It’s a quiet evening on Good Friday, a time when Christians turn to think on the tomb. I realize that it is comforting after all the struggle. This is what home is -a place to prepare for the Resurrection miracle of the everyday.