The pear tree in our backyard is a blessing to us. We took this photo last fall as we gathered all the ripe pears to enjoy as a family. Not all of the pears on the tree were good; some were blemished, bug-ridden, or rotten to the core. Those pears were left for the squirrels or tossed away. We gathered only the good fruit. We were thankful for the fruit that had grown so beautifully and we enjoyed its sweet goodness.
In our homes, we should be striving for purity that reflects the goodness of the Lord. It matters what we choose to think about during the day. What we watch or read or listen to in our spare time will have an effect on how we relate to one another.
My favorite verse to help keep my mind in check is Philippians 4:8 which states, "Finally, brethern, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."
Desiring purity, things that are lovely, and remembering what is true are just some of the ways that build a peaceful, God-honoring home. Often my husband will sit down with me at the end of the day and say, "I love our home. It is so peaceful here." We should desire our homes to be a haven, a respite, and a place that nurtures our spiritual growth.
This vase of flowers picked by a sweet friend at our church helped get my thoughts flowing this week. The flowers had been there since the previous week so the vase water had become greenish, the leaves under the water had become slimy, the petals were falling off on some of the stems, and the once beautiful bouquet was fading. I thought of the verse that says, "The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever " (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV).
I managed to rinse out the vase, pull off the old leaves, pluck off the old petals, and rearrange the bouquet in fresh water as pictured above. What a difference! The arrangement graced the lunch table one more time almost as beautifully as it had the previous week.
Like the reviving of this bouquet, how much more does the Lord do for us who are repentant of our sinful ways and desire to be pure, God-honoring and lovely. When we meditate on these truths it should spring in us a desire to be more like Him. We should fill our minds with good things, not things that are rotten, worldly, or lustful. May we fill our hearts and homes with things that are clean, uplifting, kind, and pure and be blessed with homes that are truly a haven.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).
