Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east,
and there He placed the man He had made.
(Gen 2:8 NLT)
"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
(Joh 17:15-16 NASB)
In many ways this is probably my first blog for the Haven even though there are a few others out there previously. This is the first because I want to explain why I am doing this. God has given me a picture and a passion for families. As I share nugget size thoughts and insights I hope to be an encouragement to others. I also hope that this will be a place for you to share comments, thoughts, and even prayers. My hope is that this will not be some detached ramblings but will be a place where we can both share and be approachable. I know that I will be blessed as I clarify my thoughts for myself and hopefully you will be blessed as God works through us both.
At the time that the picture of the Haven came into focus for me, I simply had a heartfelt desire to be the kind of woman, wife, and mom that God wanted me to be. I wish I could even say that it was my pursuit, but it seemed to hit me in the face at every turn like God was pursuing me. The devotion that I read, my scripture reading schedule, and so much more seemed to pull me along in my process.
The picture was simply a safe place, a haven, for my family. It would be a place that my husband wants to come home to, that would be a respit from the world that he was in throughout the day at work. For my kids it would be a place where they knew that they were loved unconditionally. I saw my home as the tool for this, but as the years have gone on we have realized that the home is a starting point, but as we grow we actually become a haven for others to experience. This Haven was and is to be a place that builds my family up for the purpose of empowering others to walk together with God, the foundation and source of our safe Haven.
God is the original creator of havens... He made the Garden of Eden as a special place for mankind. He hoped that it would be a place that they wanted to be. Over this week I will explore some parallels with the Garden of Eden and our havens.
Jesus calls us to be in the world, but not of it... We need to have a place (or places) that reminds us whose we are (God's) and builds us up while we continue to go into the world to empower one more to walk together with God.
As we begin this process take some time and think about the state of your haven or home. Ask God to help you see your home and family through His eyes. Make a list of all the things that are a distraction from your home being a place your family wants to be. Give the list over to God and determine to work with Him on one thing on the list to create an environment where your family will more want to be.
I invite you back regularly to continue the process, to help us all remain focused as we empower one more to walk with God by beginning at home and then going out into the world.
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