Decorating your home can be fun, or it can be work. It is relaxing to some and stressful to others. Some see it as a waste of money and others see it as a “necessity”.

When considering finances and being good stewards of our money, decorating has been on my mind. A lot.

Is it a waste of money? Do we really need this new painting for the living room? Should I be spending valuable resources and time on decorating?

The answer I have come to: Yes and No. It all depends on my frame of mind. Decorating can be prideful for me, or it can be out of a desire to bless my family.

When Decorating can be for God’s Glory

Let me set up a scenario for you. A new family comes over for dinner and I have worked the apartment to perfection. The table is set, the food is cooking, the background music is on, the candles are lit, and the decorations are in the right place. We lovingly welcome a new family into our home.

Okay, let’s stop there. I could very well have two different motives going into this. The first is that I am motivated by pride. I want this new family to see my beautiful, perfect house. I want them to perceive that I am the best homemaker and that my house is perfect. The decorations are just so beautiful, and it’s all about me. {And trust me…it’s very easy to fall into this!}

OR, my motivation could be that I want to make a warm, inviting house. I want a new couple/family from church to enter my home and feel welcomed. I want them to feel like I have put time into making them feel welcomed. I want my house to be a safe place to invite people into. I want them to feel comfortable when entering my home and that they are invited.

And believe me, I have had both motivations. As homemakers (or maybe it’s just me?), it’s easy to become prideful about our domain. We take pride in our home, and can easily be motivated to show it off.

But my purpose in decorating my home is to be warm and inviting.

My Desire in Decorating

I want my home to be a safe haven for my family

I want my husband to happily anticipate coming home each day. I want my home to be relaxing; a refuge from this busy life. I want my home to be warm and loving! I want my husband to feel love before he even sees me.

I want my home to be a place of tranquility and peace

A place that is conducive to the study of God’s word. A place free of clutter so our minds can likewise be free of clutter.

I want my home to be inviting and welcoming to new comers

I want to share God’s word with those coming into our house by how our home feels; not stuffy and perfect, but rather comfortable and loving.

 What is your motivation for decorating?