Making a house a home can feel daunting, especially if you are balancing meals, cleaning and children! But homemaking matters. If you’re feeling discouraged or wondering how to have a servant hearts that serves Jesus, read on!

God Calls You to Rest

If you’re feeling weary, I want to be the first to tell you to rest. And I know what you’re thinking “How can I rest when there is so much to do?”

But Jesus had a lot to do and He rested. He called all of us to rest (Matthew 11:28). I have found as a mom that I have resisted rest because I think my house will fall apart if I take a moment to myself.

If I don’t vacuum the floor right now the crumbs will overtake us. If I don’t put this laundry away this second it will never happen. If this living isn’t picked up in the next 60 seconds it will forever be a disaster.

But those are the thoughts of an overtired mom, not the kinds of thoughts God wants us to have. God wants us to rest before we get to that point. And rest doesn’t mean taking a day off. Sometimes rest is sitting in a kitchen chair, setting a timer for your children and saying “Mama is praying right now. Unless you need to use the bathroom or something is on fire, you need to give me 10 minutes.”

And that’s okay. Because when we remember who we are doing this for – not just our families, but for God, we find joy in the chaotic moments.

Making a House a Home for God

Making a house a home for God takes time. It isn’t hard but means we have to be intentional about the work we are doing. Diligence, faithfulness and love are the core pieces at work.

Here are 3 ways to help you make your house a home for God.

Remember Who You Are Doing This For

Your service is not for yourself or your family. It’s for God.

And this makes all the difference.

In the story of Mary and Martha (you know the one, where Mary is sitting and Jesus’ feet and Martha is irritated that she isn’t helping her to prepare food).

That story is as much about our heart position as it is about using your gifts to serve. Martha was using her gifts, her ability to prepare food and serve the men, which is an honourable thing to do! But she wasn’t doing it with a willing heart.

She was serving with irritation toward her sister. Jesus doesn’t want us to use our gifts as a means to criticize those around us.

The same is in our homes. If we serve with a heart of criticism, we aren’t serving for God.

Practical Tip

Say a prayer before starting a task, surrendering any negative thoughts to God. Ask for a joyful spirit and willingness to serve the Lord in your activity!

Read the story of Mary and Martha – Luke 10:48-32

Read Colossians 3:23-24

Your Home is a Place of Ministry

Making a house a home means filling it with love and light and joy.

Your home is where your children will first experience God. In your daily rhythms and routines, they have an opportunity to meet their Heavenly Father during the day.

And most of that will come from you Mama! As you move through your day, singing praises or telling Bible stories, they feel God’s presence in your life.

I always say if you are walking with God, your children will walk with God because they likely are close to you.

And this is a good reminder for you to slow down in your day and say those audible prayers of thanksgiving, or surrender or supplication to God so your children can hear.

They learn to pray as they hear you praying.

They learn to find enjoyment in small tasks as they see you seeking enjoyment.

They learn how to handle irritations and annoyance as they see you manage them.

They learn to be good stewards of God has given them because you are being a good steward.

Your home is a place of ministry, you don’t have to go out to serve, you can serve from within.

Practical Tip

Talk about God throughout your day as if He is a member of your family. Tell your children how thankful you are that He has given you strong hands to work, or legs to walk up and down the stairs. Let Him be part of the conversation and activity so He becomes a normal part of your life.

Read Proverbs 31:27

Read Can You Tear Down Your Home?

Trust That Your Work Bears Fruit

One of the hardest parts about motherhood is wondering if the work we do will amount to anything.

I feel this too. Making a house a home means doing the same tasks over and over again that don’t feel like they are amounting to anything.

And yet fruit grows on trees that are well cared for. It’s the daily checks, weeding, pruning and love that makes a plant prosper.

As moms, we help our families grow with our daily activities. Our faith in God is what bears good fruit and we have to trust our Heavenly Father’s plan for our family.

If we think of our home like a tree, it is our love, faith and prayers that help nurture that tree. But it is God who makes the tree strong. It is in Him that we need to grow our roots and believe that we can whether any storm.

Practical Tip

Pray for your home, continuously. Pray for God’s plan and protection and that your home will grow in wisdom and strength.

Not sure what to pray? Get my 30 day guide with all the prayers you’ll need – Pray Over Your Home

You Are Seen, You Are Called, You Are Not Alone

Motherhood is a calling. It may not seem that way but it is one of the greatest joys God has gifted us with.

Joy can come with sorrow, frustration and despair. But when we root ourselves in God, He will renew us everyday.

Making a house a home means trusting this. When we wake every morning we tell ourselves that the job we have ahead of us is a job God asked us to do. Even if it’s a struggle, with our eyes on Jesus, our lips singing His praises, we can have faith that He will carry us through.

And not only that, we know that every step we take is step our children are taking towards God.

I want me children to say “I know God because my Mama walked with Him everyday and spoke to Him like a friend. I can’t deny His existence because her faith was tangible,”

Make that your mission statement. Faith that is tangible so your children can see it, feel it and know it. Make your house a home built on God.