Did you know that the home is associated with healing? In Luke 12:42, 43 Jesus tells a parable of the master of the household who appoints a faithful and wise steward to be in charge of his home and to make sure his servants have food while he is away. This same parable is repeated in Matthew 24:45-47. The word household is “therapeia” in the Greek and means “healing, attendance to medical needs, domestic.”In other words, our homes should be homes of healing—healing the spirit, soul, and body. That’s why God ordained the home. It is an oasis from the storms of life, a sanctuary from the chaos and strife in the world, a place of safety to nurture and raise children, and a place of healing.
One of the powerful places in the home is the table where we eat and fellowship. It is the gathering place. The home centers around food and fellowship. If we do not smell the wonderful smells of spices and herbs enhancing the food cooking on the stove and the aroma of homemade bread in the oven, we miss some of the joys of life.
If we do not sit around the table to communicate, discuss, and share our revelations and thoughts as we eat together, we miss the true essence of home. The table is communal. It promotes oneness, not independence.
The picture God paints of a blessed family is of children “all around the table” (Psalm 1238:3). Tables are meant to be filled. God didn’t intend the 1.8-member family of today’s society. He loves the filled table. And not only the immediate family, but often grandparents and extended family. And friends and strangers. Each one comes with expectancy, ready for new dialogue. The place hums with conversation. No one is lonely. The togetherness brings healing and joy.
And when we eat, it is important to eat healthy foods. This word “healing” that is used for “household” is used in only two other places in the Bible. Both talk about healing.
Luke 9:11 where Jesus “healed them that had need of healing (therapeia).”
Revelation 22:1, 2 speaks of “A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing (therapeia) of the nations.” Healing foods; not refined junk foods.
Are we careful to prepare healing foods for our husbands and children? This is such an important part of being a homemaker.
Make your home a beautiful place of healing for the spirit, the soul, and the body.
Love from Nancy Campbell
Granpa's Chair is a photograph by Mike Savad which can be purchased.
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How do you walk around your home? Do you walk with a spring in your step? Oozing joy and happiness? Pouring out encouragement and blessing? Or does this sound a bit over the top?
Can you imagine what the world would be like if God’s people had not limited their families? The land would be filled with righteousness and the image of God. We would have a landslide for righteousness at voting time.
“A mother is a chalice, the vessel without which no human being has ever been born. She is created to be a life-bearer, co-operating with her husband and with God in the making of a child. What a solemn responsibility. What an unspeakable privilege—a vessel divinely prepared for the Master’s use.”
Don’t you love the words of this hymn?
This is where God planned for children to be nurtured and taught, not in daycares away from their mothers. Children need their mothers.
A young lady asked Colin and me the question, “What’s the answer to a good marriage?”
1 John 3:8 says: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” The “works” of the devil? Yes, the devil works. It’s the same word that’s used in Titus 2:5 where we are exhorted to be “keepers at home.” Many versions of the Bible translate this Scripture as “workers at home.” It comes from two Greek words: “ergon” which means “to work” and “oikos” which means “home.” This literally means “WORKERS at HOME.”
Do you embrace your womb as a gift from God? Part of who you are as a woman? A sacred place? Or do you see it as something that does not fit in with your lifestyle? An organ that you would rather make obsolete?
Dear fathers and mothers, although of course I am particularly writing to mothers. I want to remind you today (as you already know) but sometimes we need to be reminded that your children belong to YOU.
Are you raising your sons into maturity? Too many young men, even in their twenties, are still “little boys” today. Thy are not ready for responsibility. They are not ready for marriage. They are not ready to provide for and raise a family.
Dear ladies, this Scripture also applies to our daily lives as mothers and wives.
I read this quote when raising my children and it has always been a challenge to me. It is so true that just as camellias bruise so easily so we can hurt the hearts of our children—a harsh and unkind word can be like a sword in their spirit. Brushing them off because we are too busy doing other things can cause rejection in their hearts. Ask God for His grace each day as you nurture and train these living and eternal souls that God has so graciously given to you.
Titus 2:10 exhorts us to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” It’s not enough to read the doctrine. It’s not enough to think about the doctrine. We must put it on like a garment and wear it. One commentary says it means to take precious jewels and arrange them in a way to show their beauty.
My Friday post was about BEAUTIFUL DOCTRINE. The Bible also tells us what we are to do about this beautiful doctrine.
Don’t despise the time it takes to prepare meals. Every meal is another opportunity for dialogue, discussion, and interaction with your children. Think of how you can make every meal a special occasion. Think of how you can make every meal a love affair. Make your family meal times the most wonderful moments of every day.
Does doctrine relate to us in our everyday lives? This last week I memorized 2 John 1:9: “Whosoever transgreseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” What a profound Scripture. It’s all in a nutshell. If we live in the doctrine, we are in Christ. If we don’t, we don’t belong to Him.
“I’m pregnant!” No, not me, although I still dream about it! But these are usually the words a mother will say when she sees the pink line! Actually, It’s not such a beautiful-sounding word, is it? For something so wonderful I am sure we could think of a better word.
I am amazed at how people who say they believe the Bible take little notice of it. They tolerate homosexuality in the name of loving everyone. That sounds so good, and of course we love each person, but we cannot condone the act because it mocks God’s eternal plan.