Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:1
Do you wish that things at home were better? Do you wish that everyone in your family got along all the time? Would you like your “home sweet home” to be a “home
happy home”?
Making your home happier doesn’t mean changing the people who live there. Making your home happier starts with you. (You can’t build a tower of blocks with your hands if you keep kicking it down with your feet.) Instead of tearing your family apart with irritation, sharp words, or grumpy actions, begin instead to act and react in ways that will “build them up,” encourage them, and make them feel glad to be a part of your family.
Proverbs 13 has several suggestions for places to start your construction:
* Listen sincerely when someone in your family is speaking (verse 1).
* Offer words of encouragement to sad or hurting family members (verse 2).
* Speak respectfully and kindly (verse 3).
* Share in the household work without complaint (verse 4).
* Be honest (verse 5).
* Act consistently in ways that show that you respect your family (verse 6).
* Be willing to let someone else have his or her way (verse 10).
* Accept discipline without argument (verse 18).
Proverbs 13:7 offers probably one of the best thoughts there is on how to make your home happy: recognize your family for the treasure that it is
Finally, Proverbs 14:1 tells us, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Whether man or woman, foolish, thoughtless words and actions can destroy a home while wise, thoughtful words and actions build up a home. When it comes to the kind of home we live in, we are each responsible for our part in making our “home sweet home” a “home happy home.”
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to stop acting selfishly and treat my family members with the love and respect they deserve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.