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By Karen Friday

What makes a home a home?

Within the first eight years of my life, I moved multiple times. I went from living with both my parents, to living with my mom, then living with my mom and grandparents in a new state, and finally living with a new stepfather and a new last name. 

No matter where I called home, something always felt lacking. As if someone plastered my face on a milk carton. Instead of “Missing child,” it read, “Child of missing home.” 

Whenever we moved to a new house, an emptiness went along inside heavy boxes and heavy hearts.

As a kid, I never knew how to define home. Then I watched The Wizard of Oz and heard Dorothy’s famous line, “There’s no place like home.” 

The Security of Home

It’s also said, Home is where your heart is. I learned a home is more than brick and mortar with a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in. 

Home is where you go to escape the uncertainty of the world. Home is where you find security and certainty. 

But what if your home is uncertain and lacks the attention you need? Your body might be sheltered and protected from outside harm, while your heart isn’t. Exposed hearts are vulnerable to inside harm. 

When I married and started a family, I was determined to make a home filled with the most important things in life. Not a perfect home, a home where our hearts are fully alive.

You can have a home filled with beautiful and expensive treasures but be missing what your family needs most.

4 Priceless Treasures of Home

Let’s look at four priceless treasures that help you make a H.O.M.E.

H – Harmony

A home built with harmony doesn’t mean everyone agrees on everything. The basis of harmony in relationships means understanding each other and living in peace. “Live in harmony with one another…live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:16a, 18b (ESV) 

Harmony applies to more than these directives for believers to dwell with each other and with others who may be different. It also paints a picture to intentionally gain understanding within the relationships living under the same roof. 

Do you ask your husband questions during a discussion or disagreement to really understand his viewpoint? 

Are you intentional to listen to your child explain an issue with a friend, school or sibling?

O – Opportunity 

Maybe you desire to make every opportunity count in life. Whether it’s your career, aspirations, dreams, ministry and so on, you want to seize the day lest the opportunity at hand passes you by. 

The Lord will open your heart with desire and your eyes to see, so you do not miss opportunities with your family members. Like the opportunity to connect, help make a child’s dream a reality, support your husband’s career move and pray a much needed prayer.

M – Moments

There’s at least one thing you will never find in a lost and found—a moment in time. Once a moment is gone, you never get it back. 

My friend has collected Precious Moments’ figurines her entire life. She displays them in a beautiful wood and glass cabinet in one of her bedrooms. 

What if you made it a point to collect precious moments that take place in your home? These are keepsakes to hold in your heart forever. 

Family moments such as laughing, tears over the loss of a pet, celebrating victories, creating traditions, conversations around the table and dancing silly to a favorite song.

E – Encouragement

Encouragement gives support, confidence or hope to someone. (Google)

Home. Where encouragement shows up on your doorstep.

Home. Where encouragement waits to be welcomed in.

Home. Where encouragement thrives and finds a permanent residence.

For there to be no place like home, encouragement needs to be a vital part of the family. 

Find ways to encourage each family member. Give your husband words and actions of support. Help your children with confidence and hope in areas of life. 

Wife Step: Reflect on how you can practically incorporate each of these treasures into your home.

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