Housekeeping

 "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23

    What would it look like, I wonder, if Jesus and His Father came to make their home with me? To answer this, I pondered how I make a house a home, and these points came home to roost:

• Our house is cleaned regularly
• The grounds are orderly and well maintained
• The shelves are stocked with necessary supplies
• The bedroom provides a place of quiet rest
• We live peaceably among our neighbors
• We strive to make our home welcoming to guests
• Harmony is fostered; rare arguments are settled quickly
• Our home is protected against intruders

    In likewise manner, because the Lord made His dwelling within my soul, proper housekeeping is a must. All the above points apply:

• "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
• "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." 1Corinthians 14:40
• "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
• "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest...rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29
• "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18
• "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13
• "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27
• "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

I would not want to live any other way.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15