Mom Heart Moments #288

I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.

WHILE VISITING VIENNA THE past few weeks, I was struck by the beauty and quality of design in almost all of the buildings downtown. Each building was constructed with an elaborate plan, not only considering structural strength, but also beauty and detailed design evidencing the skill and craftsmanship of the architect.

Our modern-day homes lack the craftsmanship and artistic skill of historical buildings that were built to last for centuries. The pragmatic and commonplace have swallowed up the art and strength of dwellings crafted for beauty and visual design as well as structural strength and longevity.

When God created the heavens and the earth, He created them with minute and detailed intricacy and order. There was color and form and beauty woven into every aspect of His creation as an expression of His own life art. The pinnacle of creation, though, was the crafting of man and woman in His image. He then created order and beauty within the structure of the relationships He designed: family —meaning father, mother, and children —and generations of family connections.

God’s purpose in giving order and structure to these relationships was to provide a community of security, comfort, pleasure, inspiration, purpose, and belonging. When children are born into families where the structure is intact, there is beauty, health, and moral and educational strength. Family was the perfect design before the Fall, before there was any sin in the world.

Even in less than ideal circumstances, we can be encouraged to pursue God’s beautiful, original, meaningful design for motherhood and family.

While no family is perfect, whatever situation you find yourself in, ask God to renew your vision for motherhood.