Creativity in the Home

As the beautiful colors of fall peak (and yes, as we even have some snow here in Minnesota!), I am reminded again of the beauty and creativity with which our God paints this world.

As author Edith Schaeffer writes,

“We are created in the likeness of the Creator. We are created in the image of a Creator.”

I think God sets an example for us as women, to show us how to bring beauty and art into our homes. He also cares more than that we live in His beautiful kingdom; He wants us to create beauty from the inside out, as we create atmospheres filled with love, joy, peace, hope, patience, mercy, kindness, gentleness and more — homes that reflect our Creator’s character.

Edith Schaeffer continues,

“So we are, on a finite level, people who can create. Why does man have creativity? Why can man think of many things in his mind, and choose, and then bring forth something that other people can taste, smell, feel, hear and see? Because man was created in the image of a Creator. Man was created that he might create. It is not a waste of man’s time to be creative. It is not a waste to pursue artistic or scientific pursuits in creativity, because this is what man was made to be able to do. He was made in the image of a Creator, and given the capacity to create — on a finite level of course, needing to use the materials already created — but he is still the creature of a Creator.

Oftentimes, when finances are tight, when homes are filled with toddlers and sticky fingers, and when schedules are packed, we get overwhelmed with the thought of creating beautiful homes — let alone filling those homes with peace and joy!

Another problem I have is getting discouraged when all the things I want to create could never possibly be accomplished in one lifetime, let alone the week or so I allow them on my “to-do list.”

Or here’s another problem: Do you ever struggle with coveting, as I often do, especially if I watch too much television (specifically, HGTV or the DIY Network)? God says that coveting my neighbor’s house is sin, because I begin to worship the creation rather the Creator. God also says that I should be careful not to compare my life with my sister’s life (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Yet, even with all these dangers and obstacles, I am still made in the image of a Creator. In the coming weeks, I’d like to explore the arts and the topic of creativity in our homes. How can we create beautiful and peaceful homes? How can we encourage creativity in our children? How can our gifts and talents be used to spread the gospel in our hopeless world?

If you’d like to explore this topic faster than I can write about it, I recommend the following:

• I wrote an article on creating a loving atmosphere in our homes. Read it here…
• Read some Bible verses on the topic of the home and how Christ wants to live in it:

Revelation 3:20     John 14:23    Psalm 101

Psalm 112:3    Psalm 113:9    Psalm 127:1

Psalm 128:3    Proverbs 14:1    Proverbs 14:11

Proverbs 15:6    Proverbs 24:3    Deuteronomy 6:7-9

• Read some of my favorite books on this subject: The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer, and Simply SenseSational Decorationg, by Terry Willits.

Until next time,