For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Do you ever just sit in the car for an extra minute when you get home from somewhere and enjoy the silence of your own thoughts?
With two little boys in tow most days, that moment right there is a luxury for me. Silence is hard to come by. But as I sat in my driveway for a few extra moments the other day, I was reflecting on HOME.
What is it to me? Where is it? Is it a concrete or an abstract term?
So many puzzle pieces make up a home… the roof and walls, the people and pets, the food and beliefs, the conversations and cuddles, the neighborhood and routines.
My husband and I have thought a lot about each one of these puzzle pieces lately as we discuss making a big move for our family, albeit temporarily. With kids involved, the decision feels so much bigger than us.
This debate of moving or staying has been anything but simple, so here are the aspects of “HOME” that we have tried to keep in mind as we draw closer to closure on this decision.
This one might be easier to answer after you’ve considered the other more straightforward aspects of what your family requires, but at the core, what is most important for your daily rituals to feel “at home.”
Maybe it’s the couch you all come home to at the end of the day, the music you put on, the snacks you share, or getting out in the neighborhood together. It could be something tangible or intangible.
Everyone’s needs vary throughout the seasons, both in the year and in life, but knowing where you spend the most time together or what/who you can’t live without will be a significant factor in finding your way home.
If you’re social and involved in your community, school, work, or church, this is a very important one to consider—especially when moving entirely out of the area. Goodbyes are hard—even if they’re see-you-laters—and it takes time to build that up again.
Weighing your connection with your current community against the access to new social groups to dive into in the new area might make it clear what aspects of your current social circles are most important and where you can lean in more where you’re at now or get connected quickly after your move.
If you’re a believer, access to a church community is such an integral part of getting involved in a community. Dig in there, but also get involved with other interest groups in your community.
The physical space of your home, both inside and out, is important to your daily habits and routines, but so is the surrounding environment. Just as the specs of your home need to serve your family’s needs, consider the climate and landscape of where you live against your hobbies and goals.
We love hiking, biking, and skiing for social and fitness reasons, so I know we will always live near the mountains. Now, it’s just a matter of how close we want to live to the mountains to fit those things into our regular routines.
Access to healthcare, education, and other essential services is definitely a piece you don’t want to leave out if you are considering making a move. So check out the schools, make sure you’re comfortable with the level of accessible healthcare, and maybe even consider if your go-to bank, grocer, or retailer is in the area if that’s important to you.
Neighborhood security is important to us when looking to move because I enjoy regular walks around our current home. Knowing that we live in a friendly area with low crime rates is essential for our physical and emotional security.
Will this space grow with your and your family’s needs? Will your needs change in the next five years? Ten years?
Career growth should be considered with job satisfaction and family income needs in mind. Things like access to daycare and schooling can be pivotal to deciding where to settle… as well as extracurriculars or recreation you want easy access to for you and your family.
My husband and I love dreaming forward about all the options and painting the future of our family, but we can get a little hung up on the details. It is important to remember that as we plan for the future of our home, we need to allow grace and leeway for God’s plans to take root in our lives as we direct our path.
I control my decisions, but God controls the journey and how he will use my choices for his glory. (Jer. 29:11, Prov. 3:6)
I am a bit ashamed at how late in this process I handed over control and started praying into this decision. Still, a friend reminded me that by seeking God through this experience, there is likely something to learn about Him and myself.
So, as I sit here today with 80% clarity on what the next year holds for our family, I’m choosing to let God take control of the unknown—and the known—so we can move forward in faith with whatever happens.
I invite you to pray this over your home with me.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the blessing of home. May this place be more than just walls and a roof, but a sanctuary of Your love and peace for all who enter.
Lord, help us create a home filled with Your presence where our family can grow in faith and love.
Show us your face in nature and the people we see throughout our neighborhood, and help us be your light here.
We pray for wisdom to recognize the true meaning of home in You, beyond physical structures. May our hearts always find their home in You.
Amen.
Lauren is a founder of For This House. She is passionate about living authentically for Christ both personally and professionally. Lauren lives in British Columbia with her family of boys. She enjoys nature walks, quality time with family or friends, and exploring new places. Learn more about Lauren.