Recipe for a Happy Home
My wife and I retired 12 years ago. Both of us had a bucket list prepared that we wanted to accomplish after we retired. My wife has started her list and mine remains “untouched by human hands.” I wanted to learn how to bake; seriously!! I fantasized about working up a four-tier chocolate cake with a pound of pecans scattered all over decadent chocolate icing.
Well, she asked me some basic questions about appropriate behavior in the kitchen and I did well until, “Is it important to wash your hands after handling raw meat?” “Well, not really; the cooking process kills the germs,” I proudly trumpeted. “Wrong, Julia.” I have not been in the kitchen since! Talking about “kitchen things,” the last time we took a visit to a Hallmark retail shop, we found a wall plaque which listed “The Recipe for a Happy Home.” I would like to share it with you.
IN OUR HOME, WE
DAILY GIVE THANKS. To start the day off right, thank the good Lord for His blessings. We can rise up in the morning and maintain throughout the day giving thanks for God’s salvation, love, His active presence in our lives, and His desire to help us to have a good day. He loves it when His kids are happy!
TRUST IN GOD. Put your faith in action. Faithfully commit your entire family’s day and yourself to God’s safe-keeping and protection. He has a ton of angels anxiously waiting to do His bidding.
BELIEVE IN GRACE. We all mess up. When offended, forgive—NOW! The blessed Lord will joyfully forgive when seriously asked. We can to. It is also good to show love and mercy to your kids every so often; sometimes; well. . . Once in a while.
SHOW KINDNESS. Don’t take being kind toward your family for granted. It’s great for everyone’s self-esteem , including mine. It also leaves a sweet fragrance of joy, fun, contentment, and peace in the family.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Love is the spiritual glue that keeps families secure, safe, happy and together. God’s love for us plus our outward showing of love for our family equals joy.
FORGIVE QUICKLY. If poor behavior is recognized and a sincere apology is offered, forgive and then drop it. If Jesus separates our sins from us “as far away as the East is from the West,” (Psalms 103) surely we can, too. Grudges hurt the “grudger” more than the “grudgee”
HAVE A CHEERFUL HEART. This can be tough. Listen to the news or count your myriad blessings. My choice. Jesus personally stated, “I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!!” Jesus Christ is our source for permanent joy, well-being, and security; no matter how big my problem may be. He will NEVER stop loving us and advocating for us. Even when we are 75+ years old, grouchiness comes oh so easy, and you hurt all over from just getting the mail. I am alive, my grandchildren still love (I hope,) me and only by the blood of my loving Savior I am eternally going to Heaven. Jesus promised it, and it is 100% totally impossible for our Lord to break a promise. It is not in His genetic makeup. He is altogether lovely and altogether holy.
SHARE WITH OTHERS. Willfully sharing with others is evidence of a good heart; a Christian heart; of being “good people.” Also, it is the first step toward improving one’s own heart condition with the Lord’s help and guidance.
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. By knowing Christ as our Savior who died for our sins which gave us eternal life, we have direct 24 hours a day continuous access to the living and viable presence of our loving God. Because of this, we can talk to God about anything anytime anywhere. He truly personally cares. Praise Him; love Him; worship Him, pray for needs of others, tell Him our deepest need. Everything God does for you and me and our families is done out of pure love from His heart toward ours.
Jesus promises us an abundant life. (John 10:10.) If we prayerfully follow these nuggets of good “food,” prayerfully, I believe we may draw closer to our Lord’s heart and His abundant life and presence.
Thank you, Lord Jesus!!
You are a great Father!