Making home a place of love and safety

I am sure you have been bombarded with news about COVID-19. Social media continues to be filled with articles and images calling on people to heed the warnings from local, state and federal health officials to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Their warnings are loud and clear, “Stay at home.” The home seems to be that safe place, that place that is going to prevent us from contracting this virus or from spreading it. With the home now being so central to prolonged time together, I would also like to focus on the home but from a different perspective. Home is the space where you live, it may also be in a senior citizen or care facility.

Proverbs 24:3-4 states, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” The book of Proverbs is known for its wisdom and is called wisdom literature. It has moral and ethical elements. And these flow out of a right relationship with God.

I have heard some of my colleagues say that being at home has taught them so much about the value of home and family. As people of faith, who have a relationship with God, as we reflect on our homes during this time, let’s embrace this wisdom that the book of Proverbs speaks about. This wisdom includes knowledge, understanding, instruction, discretion, and obedience. Most importantly this wisdom is built on the fear of the Lord and the Word of God. Let’s help to make our home a safe and happy space for all.

In the midst of this pandemic, consider using wisdom in our relationships at home. Wisdom that demonstrates an understanding of the importance of love in the home.

A few days ago, I wrote to all my married children and suggested that they take this time with the family as a gift especially to the children. I encouraged them to hug their kids often and to find every opportunity to spend quality time with their kids. Parents, we may not know how to fully homeschool our kids, we may not have the best skills to keep them occupied for hours on end doing educational activities, but we do have the God-given skills to love them unconditionally during this time, alleviating their fears and making home a safe space for them. Adults, we can do the same for one another in the family. Let’s use the words of Proverbs and live through understanding and love in the home so that we too can uncover the rare and beautiful treasures that are hidden inside.

God bless you and your family and families around USA and the world.