Thermostat

Fall has arrived in all God's awesome glory. Anyone who knows me or has followed my blog for any length of time knows that autumn is, hands-down, my favorite season. I love it for all the obvious reasons: the blazing leaves, the warm scents, the tasty comfort foods, the coziness of being hugged in a favorite sweater, the long-lived traditions, the anticipation of the coming holiday season. For these reasons and so many more, I {heart} fall.

As much as I love the current season, I also have very clear expectations of what should and should not be at this time of year. Specifically, the timing of the turning on of the heat! We ought not have to turn on the heat prior to October...and even then, I'm reluctant to do so. September is a free month, you know!

In the last chilly week of September, as the temperature in our house dipped, I was resolved to keep adding layer upon layer to stay warm. That was good enough for me! My husband, however, after listening to the weather forecast one night before bed, determined it best to turn on the heat. And it was wise to do so. As he set the thermostat to 68 degrees, the temperature in the house gradually began to rise. Before long, our entire home was a warm, comfortable temperature for our family. And through the course of that night and the days to follow, it maintained the proper temperature.

As Jon set the thermostat that night, I was reminded of a valuable lesson. Many years ago, while reading one of Elizabeth George's books, I was challenged (convicted) by her statement that as the wife and mama of this house, I am the thermostat! It's my responsibility to create the atmosphere in our home. I've seen far too often how my bad attitude, unwise words, and quick temper can impact, influence, and deflate the guys in my house. It can have a definite chilling effect! However, I've also seen how a positive attitude, words of affirmation, and a joyful heart can cause my guys' hearts to soar. My loving words, reactions, and reponses bring warmth, comfort, and security.

I know, I know. It's easier said than done. Obviously, none of us has consciously set about to tear down our home and the loved ones who live within it. So we (and I'm talking to myself here) need to make a conscious choice---a prayerful decision---to create a loving atmosphere in our homes. But how?

It begins as we rise each morning, giving the day over to the Lord and asking Him to give us hearts that match His. Many years ago, Elizabeth George also admonished me with this golden truth: You can't impart what you don't possess. Yes, I've been guilty of attempting this more times than I can count. But if I'm going to speak and model love and hope and life into the lives of my guys, I need to be meeting with my Father God and hiding His Word in my heart. I need to make sure that my heart and my life lay open and accessible to Him to change me, shape me, and conform me to His image. I need to pursue Him and be satisfied in Him.

As the fall temps and my thermostat reminded me, we as women have the glad responsibility of setting the atmosphere in our homes! And with God living and working through us, it can be a balanced, steady, consistent place of comfort and joy!

"Every wise woman builds her house..."

Proverbs 14:1