I’m currently reading a book where the atmosphere of the home is described as follows: “Willow Heights seemed to him Paradise, its inmates angels, and his own life—beatitude.”
I had never read the word “beatitude” in that light before. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 immediately come to mind. However, the more I thought about it, the more I loved it.
The full meaning of this word is “supreme blessedness.” Is it truly possible to make a home of supreme blessedness? It seems to good to be true, doesn’t it? No one in a home is perfect—husband, wife, or any of the children! And all our sins, selfishnesses, and fleshly natures don’t make for a lot of blessing.
However, God wants to come to our home. He wants us to live His way. He shows in His Word His plan for us and when we seek to do it His way, we can experience more and more of blessedness (not that everything will be perfect until we reach eternity).
The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 are written to those who are not experiencing a perfect or easy life, but they show the way to have a blessed life in the midst of difficulties. They are written to those who are poor, who mourn, and who are persecuted. They are written to those who want a pure heart, who want to make peace, who show mercy, and who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Read them over again.
The words of Corinthians 13:4-7 are also like beatitudes. When we put them into practice they bring joy and happiness. I know a young lady who was preparing for her wedding day. She decided to read this passage and meditate on it every day for the few months leading up to her wedding. She is now married with two children and knowing them well I know they have a marriage of supreme blessedness.
It is true that the beatitudes and the love chapter talk of attitudes that are opposite to our fleshly nature. Our flesh wants to do the opposite. But Christ who dwells within us wants to live His life through us. We must get into the habit of yielding to His life and saying Yes to Him and to His ways.
Can we seek to bring more blessedness into our homes today? Can we make it a habit of our lives to, little by little, make a marriage and a home of supreme blessedness?
In His love,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: The Charm of Home: Tasha Tudor