At the Well

Welcome back to the well! I pray that you will be refreshed as you stop to get a drink of encouragement and inspiration. This week, our host is Lisa at
A Second Generation of Homeschooling



She came up with the awesome and practical topic this week:
Welcome Home Daddy

(Preparing your home for Daddy's homecoming at night, training the children in preparing the house for Daddy and making Daddy feel loved and appreciated)

Discussion Questions:
How can we lay a welcome mat of love for our husbands after a long day of hard work?
How can we make our homes inviting places where Daddy longs to be at the end of a long day? How can we involve our children in this process and teach them to show reverence to their Daddy?

I love this topic! God sooooooo convicted me of welcoming Brian home several years ago. Honestly, though, it can be a habit that I "fall out" of, if I don't purposely make the effort to do it! I first "heard" this idea of sending husbands off to work/welcoming them home at a Hearts at Home Conference.

What a revelation!!!!!! I had never realized how important it was for ME to honor Brian by letting him know that I valued him and his contribution to our family.

I had selfishly focused on ME and how I was working so hard at home, and how I needed HIM to come home and help me! I was the one taking care of babies all day. I had to do everything!!!!! I needed some help!

Pity Party!!!!!!!!

And, then I heard a speaker talk on this subject and OUCH! God convicted me of my selfishness. I had never thought about how Brian needed to come home and unwind and feel appreciated. He had just been out in the world, (in the marketplace, not the most Godly place!) and had the stress and pressure of work. I realized how fortunate I was being at home, listening to Christian radio most of the day while I went about my work. I was able to snuggle the kids and rest. I was even able to get a little devotional time in the afternoon while the kids napped.

So, I changed my focus!!!!!!!

I have always felt it is important for Brian to come home to a nice home and dinner. And, I feel since I am AT HOME, it's my responsibility to take care of our home. My 1st ministry is my family- taking care of them- not volunteering at church or school; not taking care of a friend, not small group bible study.......I am involved in all of these things, but after I have taken care of my family. If/when they begin to interfere with how well I take care of my husband, children, or home, something has to give!

Here are some guidelines I try to follow:

1. Stay off the phone when it's time for Brian to come home!!!!!!!!

It would never seem to fail- at 4:45 someone would call the house. And, Brian would pull in at 4:50. Ouch. How does that make Brian feel? Not good. I'm sure he wondered why I couldn't finish my phone conversations sometime in the 9 hours he was gone! That definitely did NOT communicate that I valued him more than whoever was on the other end.

This is the biggest area I have to train my kids in. They think they MUST answer the phone when it rings and that it is "rude" when you don't. I am trying to teach them that whoever is on the other end can usually wait. We can call back. Whoever is on the other end is NOT more important than our family.

2. TV off!!!!!!!!!!

Again, what does this communicate to Brian if we can't turn off the TV for 10 minutes when he comes home???? Priorities???? And, again, this can be hard for the kids to follow- if they are in a middle of a show. So, I need to prepare them in advance, warning them in advance and turning it off in plenty of time!!!

3. Snack ready...

We usually don't have dinner right when Brian comes home, so I like to have a snack ready for him. This really speaks to him!!!! And, it usually is so simple~ carrots and dip, fresh veggies, crackers and cheese....

This can be hard, too! The kids love to eat these snacks, so saving some for Dad AND it still looking nice can be hard!

4. Surprise Party!!!!!!!!

I know it sounds a little strange...... But, the kids love to hide and jump out and "scare" Brian. When it's dark (the winter months) we even turn out the lights! We all jump out and scream, "Surprise!" Brian isn't surprised or scared, but loves to play along!!! It's fun for all of us!

I think the most important thing for me is to pass on this attitude of welcoming home. When I read the awesome book, A Woman After God's Own Heart, I also was convicted about doing the same for my children. Wow! They so appreciate being welcomed home~ it makes them feel special and loved.

I get the fancy glasses out and they get to drink juice out of fancy glasses and have snacks on the good china. Wow! Do they know they are missed when they are away.

Elizabeth George had awesome, practical ideas in her book.

The coolest thing is that the kids (and Brian) have internalized this habit of welcoming home. When I speak and am gone for the weekend, I return to a clean house and posters about how much they missed me. I get to see first hand the care and love one feels when you know you are missed when you're gone!!!!

Thank you, Lisa for this week's great focus. I have to confess I have gotten lazy and sloppy in welcoming Brian home, (and thus, the kids, too.....) So, I am recommitting to making hubby feel special and appreciated by welcoming him home. Will you join me?

Please visit Lisa and Chelsey to get lots more encouragement and inspiration!