Day 17: It All Begins With You

Proverbs 31:22- "She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks." (The Message)

Proverbs 31:22- She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]. (AMPC)

Proverbs 31:22- She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool]. (AMP)



The Proverbs 31 woman took pride in her home and she also took pride in her own appearance. She made beautiful clothing, cushions, and rugs... she dressed in clothing that was beautiful and practical. She made sure that her home and her body was a priority in her own life.

When people visit our home, they take note of how it looks almost immediately. This isn't to say that your home needs to be perfect or immaculate. We all have busy lives that require a great deal of our attention and time. But caring for our home is so vital for our own health as well as the health of our family.

I know personally, I cannot sit down and relax, watch a movie, or even eat dinner if our house is a disaster. We have three children-- I know the reality of toys sprawled all over the living room floor, drinks spilled, food under the kitchen table, piles of laundry. It is often inevitable. But think back to a time when your house was a mess-- how stressed were you? Could you relax? Was your home peaceful? Did you feel on edge? Then think to those moments when your house is cared for. Are you able to rest? Relax? Does your family get along a little bit better? Are dinners more peaceful? Is your Spirit satisfied?

Our homes can change our entire spirit. 

I know personally, I've always struggled with clutter. Our house was full of it. I couldn't throw a thing away. I'm not sure why, I just clung to things. And then I started going through this spell with anxiety and hypochondria earlier this year and our home was the first thing to suffer. I quit caring for it. I would let laundry pile up for days. I didn't clean the kid's bedrooms. Rarely did the dishes. I did the bare minimum. And guess what? All of our lives suffered because of it. My husband and I began arguing more. The kids couldn't find anything. No one had clean clothes. I was stressed out at 10PM because we realized Ethan didn't have work clothes clean. My life was a mess--- and our home--- our place to feel peace and relaxed-- was suffering because of it.

I read a quote on Pinterest that stated, "Your home is your sanctuary. Take care of this and your life becomes all that you wish it to be." 

Your home is your family's sanctuary. It is the place they run to when the rest of the world feels overwhelming or stressful. And it is our job to ensure that it is peaceful there. Taken care of. That love is pouring from the walls. That God's Spirit flows through every room, every door. When I say 'taken care of'... I mean in all aspects of life. That it is clean. That it is prayed over. That there are positive spirits flowing. That God is active in all areas of your lives.

And not only is the home a sanctuary, but the Bible says that "...know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) Our body is also a temple- a sanctuary- and we should gladly take care of it.

"Your body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in." (FoodMatters)

"Be good to your body. It is the only place you have to live."

"You are your own home."

Your husband needs you to care for yourself (not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well.) Your children need you to care for yourself. YOU need you to care for yourself.

While researching this morning, I came across "20 Ways to Take Care of Yourself in 20 Minutes," and it was too great not to share!

1. Soak your hands in warm dish soap water
2. Make a great salad with all the healthy stuff!
3. Do a 20-minute clean sweep of your home- put away any items left our and clear surfaces.
4. Take a 20-minute leisurely walk
5. Get ready for your day by making a 'to-do list' and getting organized!
6. Take a multi-vitamin or have a protein shake
7. Create a gratitude journal and write in it
8. Write down your goals and post them to look at every day
9. Straighten up your desk area (or wherever you are most of the day)
10. Eat cucumbers- they're refreshing
11. Drink 2 large glasses of water
12. Take a 20-minute power nap
13. Bend down and touch your toes, then do 5 jumping jacks
14. Listen to your favorite music- get up and dance
15. Pick up the phone and call a loved one
16. Look through your photo albums and take in the beauty of your life
17. Take a hot bath and moisturize after
18. Write supporting thoughts and post them around the house
19. Create an emergency plan so you can relax
20. Do yoga poses and deep breathing exercises

And after you're done doing these things to help yourself relax-- take some time to care for your appearance. Remember the woman your husband fell in love with years ago, when you had just started dating. Take a shower, comb your hair, put on your make-up, moisturize, curl your hair, put on clean clothes... whatever makes you feel beautiful-- any of these, all of these. Whatever makes you feel gorgeous and lets your husband see your effort to continue to care for yourself and your marriage. 

"It all begins with you. If you do not care for yourself, you will not be strong enough to take care of anything in life." (RecoveryExperts.Com)

Take care of yourself today, Momma. And after that, care for the sanctuary you and your family are blessed enough to call HOME. You deserve it. Your husband deserves it. Your children deserve it.