Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Celebrating My Home, My Life

As we reflect on the resurrection of our Lord, write a post that celebrates life.
Last fall my husband and I sold our first home. Our realtor told us that our counters and refrigerator had to be bare and our house had to be decluttered. Much of my kitchen got packed into boxes, and for a few months, I didn't miss any of it! How many useless extra appliances did I HAVE to have, that just took up valuable space? Also, about 2/3 of my kids toys got packed, and they didn't miss any of it. Two positive things I learned was A. how much we really do NOT need; and B. by keeping my home free of clutter, clean up time was super quick.

But let me be honest. If you walked in my home during that time - it was lifeless. No personal pictures of family and friends. None of my kids artwork on the fridge. No toaster on the counter revealing what my family has for breakfast most mornings. As free and easy as it was on one hand, my house felt dead to me. So while I learned some practical things that I continue to do as an attempt to keep my house clean and decluttered; on a spiritual sense, I learned that your home is where your family is. During that time, my home was not together. My husband was away working during the week. When my son brought art projects home from church, they went right in a box to be packed. Nothing in that house represented our life. I learned that your HOME is the daily companionship of your family, the daily messes, the never-ending laundry, the bills that need to be paid, the pot soaking in a sink from a delicious meal that fed your family-home is your life and not the four walls and roof that you call your house.

So here I am in my new house, its cluttered again - not entirely with useless things but its cluttered with things that represent our life - my kids' muddy shoes are sitting by the door. I have their artwork displayed with pride - not only on the fridge, but on windows and bedroom walls. The playroom never looks like it belongs in the current issue of an organizational magazine, but its because my kids are playing there. There are sippy-cups in the sink at any given time. We have our towels from this morning hanging on a hook to dry, and our toothbrushes are sitting on our upstairs bathroom sink. All of these are major no-nos when selling a house, but it is our home. Yeah its lived in, and I love it!

Blessings,

Jen
This article is my submission to the blog challenge sponsored by Art Bookbindery, "Empowering Writers to Self Publish."

3 comments:

Beba said...

Yes, that is what your house make home.... real one

Karen Hossink said...

Jen,
I have enjoyed reading through your blog. Especially LOVE the welcome statement!!! Yes, it sounds like you and I are in much the same place.
Thanks for visiting my blog. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
Warmly,
Karen

Nancy Murphree Davis said...

I totally agree with you about the desired "realness" of home. My husband would emphatically prefer the realtor's look.

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow