I sit at the kitchen table looking out at the garden and tears slip down my cheeks. I love this view. I love this house. And tomorrow we move. We leave the place where all three of my girls have taken their first steps and said their first words. Where we have shared 6,000 meals. Where I have rocked babies in the middle of the night. And sung “Be still, my soul” 8,000 times while tucking in blonde little girls. Where I have written 11 manuscripts during countless hours in the middle of the night. Where we sheltered in place and rode out hurricanes. Where we grew from a family of three to five. This place feels holy. Sacred. Deeply intimate.
One week later, still surrounded by half-packed boxes, our family is nestled into new walls, but they already feel familiar. We are immediately at home in this place. We have had a dance party in the kitchen, a dance party in the den, another dance party in the kitchen. Cooked food together, put new drawings on the fridge, and spilled on the floor. Tickled, laughed, and chased. Planted flowers in rich soil. Sung goodnight songs and prayed middle of the night prayers.
Visiting the old house that felt so full of life last week now feels vacant and echoey. Empty. We see a list of things to fix and clean. A new thought percolates. Maybe our family thrived in spite of this house and not because of it. It is true- what makes a home sacred are the individuals who fill it.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV)
When we choose to follow Christ, an amazing thing occurs. The Holy Spirit moves into our lives and takes up residence in our soul. Our body becomes a temple where God Himself resides. In Him, we have wisdom and power unknown before.
Our body, temporary, flawed, and wasting away, becomes a home for the Creator of the Universe. Out of the darkness of our fragile existence, God’s light shines through us in extraordinary ways to bring God glory.
Like me with my old house, we are tempted to think that somehow the walls are special. That this piece of property the Holy Spirit enters is what makes the relationship so intimate. The truth is that God’s love makes this connection possible not because of our merit, but in spite of our lack of merit. We shine light to others not because of our worth in and of ourselves, but because of the Spirit we carry within.
Our value is in the work God is doing inside our shabby exterior. It is the seeds He is planting and the fruit He is growing. It is the song of love He sings over us. It is the meals shared in the daily bread He offers through His Word. It is the delight He takes in us as we delight in Him. Our lives are the walls, but God brings us to life. When we have the right resident, we thrive and shine!
Father, thank you for not looking at my broken life and giving up on me, but instead moving in and making my soul a beautiful place because of your Presence. I stand in awe that you would love me enough to delight in your work in my life. I want to shine your light to everyone around and share the life I have in you.
What is God doing in my life that allows me to shine for others?
Want some Christmas in July?
Celebrate the holidays early with our awesome 2025 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza! You’ll meet 74 Christian authors with Christmas-themed books and have a chance to win print copies of those books, plus unique Christmas items, including my Advent devotional, Mary’s Treasure.
Thanks for reading this week’s devotion! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
See you next week. God Bless!
Enjoy your new home and creation of special new memories too!
Glad you are dancing in your new house, Erin!