A House Becomes a Home

When Tyson and I first got married, we moved 4 times in 4 years! We have been able to experience both sides of the spectrum when it comes to living conditions.

Our first home was a little one bedroom apartment. It was perfect for just the two of us. When you opened the front door, you could stand there and see our whole place. I remember my favorite feature being that I could plug my vacuum into the electric socket in my bedroom and vacuum my WHOLE house without unplugging it. I began in my bedroom, moved on to the bathroom, then kitchen and finally the living room. The cord literally reached from one end of our little home to the other. We loved living there. It was perfect!

My dad’s job then took my parents to California, so to help with their house, Tyson and I moved into their beautiful established home. This was completely different than what we were use to. We suddenly had a master bedroom, guest bedrooms, a loft, two stories, an office and even our own swimming pool. I definitely couldn’t vacuum the whole house with one electric socket. 😉 We loved living there. It was perfect!

We continued moving around the city and are now in our fourth home. It is cozy and comfortable for our little family of three. Some say it looks like a little doll house. We love living here. It is perfect!

When I think of the word “house” I think of bare walls, empty cupboards and clean floors. It most likely {but not always} has walls and a roof for protection. My husband served a mission for our church in Cambodia, where their houses were constructed with brick, metal sheets and dirt floors.

No matter the living condition, the size or what our houses are made of, we each have the opportunity to make our house a home.

One of my favorite songs from Primary is called Our House Becomes a Home. The first verse says:

Our house becomes a home when it’s filled with charity,
When caring loved ones always treat each other tenderly.
Our house becomes a home when we live in harmony.
Together we can make our house a home.
A house has walls and windows; a home is something more—
A smile in ev’ry corner, and love at ev’ry door.
Our house becomes a home when there’s joy and gladness there,
When cheerful voices greet us and sweet music fills the air.
Our house becomes a home when there’s happiness to share.
Together we can make our house a home.

With each of our four houses we have lived in, we have made them our home. Through love and laughter. Through uplifting television shows and wholesome music. Through prayers and having Christ the center of our home. Through forgiveness, selflessness, service and kindness.

Now that I have a baby, I learned first handedly how hard it is to make my “house” LOOK like a “home.” When I think of a “home” I think of perfection. No dishes in the sink. Spotless counters. Stainless floors. Dusted shelves. Toys in cubby holes. And everything in order. BUT I tell you today, I now know that that actually isn’t what a home is. “Home is where your heart is” is what they say. And I am sure ALL of our hearts are full of love for our families. In that case, I believe that “HOME is where your FAMILY is”… and if my family is in my home, my house is not going to be spotless. I have a one year old! There will be dishes in the sink because we like to eat! There will be spots on the counters because sometimes we make messes when I try to cook with a baby on my hip. There will be stains on the floors from spilling her sippy cup of apple juice. There will be dust on the shelves, because I would rather play than dust. Toys will not be on the shelves and everything will not be in order because we like to have fun!

My challenge for you today and this upcoming month is to make your house a home. No matter how big or small our houses are…Whether you can vacuum your whole house with one electric socket or you have to unplug it 10 times, we can make them become HOMES. Make your child’s bed, write a note to your husband and put it on his pillow, buy a special treat for your children to wake up to, play a family game, watch a family movie, have a dance party… bring happiness into your home. It doesn’t have to look good – it just has to feel good.

“There is beauty all around, When there’s love at home; There is joy in every sound, When there’s love at home. Peace and plenty here abide, Smiling sweet on ev’ry side. Time doth softly, sweetly glide,When there’s love at home.” – Love At Home 

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

January 21, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 6 Comments