“The idea of happiness has always taken material form in the house, whether cottage or castle, it stands for permanence and separation from the world.”  -Simone de Beauvoir

Every home, whether we recognize it or not, has a presence in the lives of its occupants and guests.  The home provides shelter for its occupants as well as a feeling of love and security as the family creates memories day by day, hour by hour.  Defining the home’s mission is important for progression of the family.

With so much focus on things outside of the home, isn’t it time that we have a change of perspective and get to the core of a happy and balanced life?

In Proverbs 29:18 it says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Vision is important for anyone to progress.  Therefore to have a vision for every part of our life is essential to our personal and family’s progression.

Sit down with your family in a family council meeting and decide together what your family’s desired mission is for your home.  This mission can encompass or reflect other missions such as the family’s mission and the missions of the individuals in the home.  Hopefully, you already have a Family Mission Statement, if not taking some time to create one is very beneficial for the family.

What a Home Mission Statement is Not

It is not a list of goals.  It is not about plans.  While these are important things to discuss, a better place to put these would be in a family vision statement or as a list of family goals.

What is a Home Mission Statement?

It's simply that- a statement, or declaration, of who your home is dedicated to and what it stands for; the purpose of your life together, the values you stand for; the priorities that regulate the home; the commitments we make inside of our home for the ourselves and those who visit.   

Most families have unspoken house rules.  While working on your family mission statement, it can be a good time to discuss these unspoken rules and decide if any should be written into the statement in some way.

Can you raise a family and be a homemaker without a home mission statement?  Sure, but writing down our intentions are powerful and people tend to live more productive and fulfilling lives when they write down their goals and intentions.

In Matthew 5:14–16 Christ taught us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  

Let us create our homes to be filled with light and good works to better help raise our family to the Lord.  Start today by creating your family’s own personal home mission statement.  

~Shiloah Baker, Editor-in-Chief

This month’s Home and Family magazine issue will help you, the homemaker, by sharing ideas for backyard gourmet’s, homemaking good reads, natural parenting, and more.  If you aren’t a subscriber yet, don’t miss any more fun, intelligent, and informative articles…subscribe today!