Surrounded by Good Things in the Home

LOC: Mrs.Theodore Eickholt and her three children, Iowa, 1936.

A few years ago, I started to feel a heaviness. It was as if there was a dark cloud over my life.  I finally realized that I needed more cheerful things around me. 

The first thing I did was order myself a Christian-based calendar-planner book. This would be something I would see several times a day.  There are Bible verses for every single day of the year. This was something good for my home and life. It helped my mood a great deal.

Then I made sure my wall calendar was pretty. I stopped getting a cheap one from the dollar store because it was lacking something. When I switched to getting one from Sword of the Lord publishers or In Touch Ministry, I felt as if I was supporting good ministries while also having a beautiful, encouraging calendar that was also a necessary item for my home. 

The main screen on my computer has a wallpaper image with an encouraging quote by Charles Spurgeon. 

 

Part of an image on my computer screen, with an inspiring quote.

The walls of my house have mottoes with Bible verses and inspiring sayings to bring a smile and a bit of encouragement to weary minds.  

I believe there is a battle, in our day, over our emotions and thoughts which bring a great deal of anxiety, worry, and discouragement.  We need to counteract this with good things. We need to be surrounded by that which is good and lovely and peaceful.

In the old days mothers were busy keeping house, taking care of their children, gardening, and just trying to make sure all were fed and cared for.  Their own little world was simply their immediate family, neighbors in the community, and guests who visited. This was before there were television sets. It was before telephones became popular. The worries had more to do with what was happening in their own homes and lives.  They were not as overwhelmed and full of fear as we tend to be in our modern day with constant news updates from around the world.  We have so many distractions and things to plague our emotions.  We need to constantly seek peace and find a way to quiet our hearts and soothe our minds.

Keeping lovely things around the house is a tremendous help.  Having good friends and family members who bring cheer and a light of hope and help is a blessing.  But most of all, we need to keep reminding ourselves to "keep walking with the Lord."   

When we are discouraged and down, it is a good time to look at all the good things in our homes.  Take a few minutes to read the beautiful Psalms and Proverbs and find comfort in Scripture.  We need to take a break from trying to solve all of our problems or trying to imagine solutions and just rest in the presence of the Lord.  When we are at our wits end, on the verge of sorrow and fear, it is time to remember that we cannot walk this path in our own strength. It is impossible!

Scripture verses on the walls of a home, an open Bible displayed on a table, pretty flowers from the garden, and a lovely well-kept home will bring rest to our minds. Doing good things and being surrounded by good things is an excellent way to chase away the dark clouds of the world.  We can make the effort, each day, to spread sunshine and good will to our families. It all starts with being surrounded by good things.

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

* Notice: For those who are interested in helping us with the expense of our ongoing medical trips, a page has been set up with all the details:

https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html

We are grateful for your kindness!

 

 From the Archives -

The Blessing of  -  The Mother Who Isn't Busy.

Happy and Frugal Kitchen work  - Basic Cookery.

What Many of us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

 

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

 "At Mother's House" by Mrs. White:

  

For Encouragement in Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book, from 2016, "At Mother's House: The Blessing of Being a Christian Housewife."

In this book, you will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

There are 40 entries which include:  "Poor and Pretty Living;" "A Home Without Clutter;" "The Money Packets;" "A Church Diet for the Family;" "Bringing Home Baby;" "The Children's Prayers;" "The Shabby Garden:" and "Just a Housewife."

Those who are seeking a peaceful home, with the Lord as the foundation, will find encouragement. (Paperback, 122 pages.)