“Build your life on the foundation of gratitude to God and true humility…build the frame of your life out of self-discipline…build the walls out of service to others…build the roof out of prayer and quiet time…build a garden around your life out of peace of mind and serenity and a sure faith.” Anonymous“It’s my kitchen this year so I’m going to do it my way,” which was my polite way of saying, ‘back off.’ Why do holidays often revert to tension and a sharp tone of voice? Short answer: family dynamics. Even as we rotate homes, the sister who’s kitchen we’re in is likely to be backed into a corner at some point by everyone else’s ideas until some form of this declaration is interjected into the discussion. Today, however, we are better at backing off than when we were younger, which I give full credit to how we’ve integrated our faith into our everyday lives.
Just think, this retreat could be a real world for me if I were to turn over my rights—or what I think of as my rights because it’s my kitchen—to God’s ways. If I based my life on gratitude for the fact that I have a kitchen to cook in and a family to spend time with, if I worked in the kitchen accepting of the habits of others for just this one day, if I realized this was my opportunity to serve my family with generosity of spirit not just generosity of food; then I might enjoy the holidays more.
Does this description of a home to live your life in sound appealing? Would you like to take a walk in its garden? What will you do today to take a step toward making it a reality in your life?
2 Comments
Cynthia Kearney
1/9/2018 05:07:13 am
My friend remodeled her house and in the evening after the crew went home they took a marking pen and wrote scripture on the walls and doorways before the drywall went up, a house built on the words of God!
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Libby Taylor-Worden
1/9/2018 08:04:00 am
What a great idea. If I ever remodel my kitchen, I'll be sure to do that on the studs before the sheetrock goes up.
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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