Encouragement for Today - Feb. 25, 2011

February 25, 2011
Home Shaping
Karen Ehman

"But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

Devotion:
They stood piled high on the living room coffee table: pristinely wrapped boxes with curly, coordinating bows and snappy gift bags whose transparent tissue papers peeked out of their tops with anticipation.

Nearly three dozen friends eagerly gathered for an open house for my new found friend Thida. A Cambodian native, Thida met my friend Marcia's eldest son Keith when he was studying abroad in her country. Now married and living in the United States, our circle of friends showered Thida with well-wishes and the heartfelt welcome of an old-fashioned housewarming party.

What domestic treasures she opened that night! New fluffy towels in deep jewel tones; contemporary metal candleholders and spicy-scented candles; kitchen utensils and casserole dishes; picture frames and pots. Ever a soft-spoken and grateful soul, this sweet twenty-something new bride was visually humbled and verbally thankful with each package she unwrapped.

Every so often, she would look at the crowd and utter the same phrase, "Oh…..I want to thank you so much for helping me to shape our home."

We knew what Thida meant. She meant to "furnish" her home; to decorate and outfit it with needed and useful items. However, somehow when trying to get her sentiments across by speaking in English, her second language, the phrase she continually chose was "shape our home."

As I heard sweet Thida utter these words many times that night, it struck a chord within my soul. In essence this group of siblings, aunts, cousins, and grandparents-by-marriage, along with an abundance of new friends, were doing exactly that!

Thida is from a country where, of the 14.5 million inhabitants, only a few thousand claim to follow Christ. Over 95% of Cambodians are practicing Buddhists.

Thida began a relationship with Jesus through the example of an aunt and, although the rest of her family is still Buddhist, this strong woman now loves and serves the God of the Bible. She chose to break from her parents' tradition to begin a new life with Christ. And, aside from her aunt, she had no one who could help her to know just what it meant to live life as a woman and wife according to God's ways.

Thida made a choice. Rather than choosing the false god of her ancestors, she choose the true God of the Bible. And she and her husband desire nothing more than to build their home and grow a family someday according to the ways of the Lord. And now we, as her circle of support in her new country of residence, will try our best to encourage her in her endeavors; to model a Christian home with our actions and decisions. Yes, you could say in essence that we all have made a covenant to help precious Thida to do exactly what she declared—to "shape her home."

Do you know another woman who has made a decision for Christ? One who left her former ways to walk in the ways of the Lord? If so, there are eyes upon you, watching, soaking and learning. What will she see? Will you help her shape her earthly home, and her heart's home, with God's truths while building on the foundations of Christ?

Home shaping is significant business. May we all be mirrors that reflect Christ to those who are watching, soaking and learning. And yes….perhaps even shaping.

Dear Lord, may I be ever mindful there are others looking to me for an example of how to shape our lives according to Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
For more encouragement and a "Home-Shaping" themed basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog

A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman

Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy

Shaped with Purpose Workbook and accompanying CD is a wonderful gift for women in your life!

Application Steps:
What are some ways you try to weave the Bible's commands into your home life?

List one practical way you could help a new believer to align their family relationships with Christ.

Reflections:
Have I ever known someone who gave up the religion of his or her ancestors to follow Jesus? What adjustments did he or she have to make? What obstacles were faced?

How can I help others who are new in the faith to ground their hearts in God, His Word and His ways?

Power Verses:
Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" (ESV)