Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Looking In

Have you ever been outside in the evening and looked inside your home? I have and it warms my heart every time.

I see love, warmth, beauty glowing through the open windows. I see happy children, and a home that draws me in - it is a place I'd want to be even if it wasn't my own home. It is inviting and welcoming.

You might enjoy it too - when everyone is happily engaged, step outside for a minute and savor the view and the inviting presence exuding from your own family!

Here's another thought -
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16
Does the light that shines out of my home point others to praise our Heavenly Father? Obviously, I'm not talking about if I have a light on or not. Does the light of His love shine out of my home?

Just as glowing lights draw us into a home, may His love draw someone home to Him through the windows of our hearts, souls and homes.

May He use our home to shine the light of His truth and love into our neighborhood, families and world!

19 comments:

Katy said...

Yes...LOL...i have done that too. I love to look in my windows at night when I am pulling in the driveway or something...LOL. Glad I am not the only one who has done that!!! haha! :)
So true...our light should be shining before all men (and women) for Christ!!!
Hope you have a great day Monica!

Anonymous said...

Bill and I were just talking about this on one of our evening walks. wondering what people thought when they looked in. I love looking inside our house as we walk up. I also love looking inside others houses ( front window and not peeping tom style )Ha. You know what I mean! anyway good comparison to the Bible verse. I am sure there are many times when I hope people aren't looking in.

Deb Burton said...

I love that verse from Matthew. I like pairing it with Philippians 4:8 as my life verses. I hope our home is a reflection of those verses, and that others feel the love of Christ and even want more of what we have in the process.

barbara said...

I love looking in others' windows (!), but I've never looked inside my own - I'll have to do that.

Each time we leave the house, I remind the kids that we want others to see Christ's light shining through us. Thanks for the reminder that we really need that focus in our home too - what if someone were standing outside looking in?! Christ is there, is He seeing love in everything we say and do?

Linda said...

I can't ;)

We have these very sheer white curtains that will let in all the light, yet doesn't allow anyone to look inside..

We had been living in an appartment on the second floor for thr 4 years we have been married, and it was SUCH a shock for us not to be able to do 'just anything' anymore, because in the 'real house' we now live in, people can look in! *lol* (no big front yards here in holland)

It's so silly when you're doing a happy dance with the kids and all of a sudden you see a neighbour watching in.... so now we got these curtains.. maybe once we're used to it, we'll remove them ;)

greetings from holland!

Anonymous said...

It's so funny to see that other ladies like to look in windows too.
My family laughs at me, cause if we go anywhere at night, I'm straining my neck to look in the front of houses. I especially love when there's a big, beautiful staircase right inside the front door!!
And it's so much fun at Christmas...such pretty things to see!
What a beautiful comparison with the Scripture!
Dawn

~aj~ said...

I just did this last night! Funny coincidence. :)

Aubrey said...

Boy, is this blog becoming a born again, "saved" blog or what??? Why does everything turn into a biblical verse?

Jenny said...

I'm one who enjoys taking my walks at dusk so I CAN see into people's homes. :{

I know that sounds awful, but I do it for inspiration and decorating ideas--really, I do!

It's early and light enough outside that people haven't drawn their blinds yet, but dark enough inside so that lamps are turned on. Are you glad I don't live in your neighborhood?

Monica Wilkinson said...

Aubrey - One thing I will never do is apologize for being real or sharing of who I am here. I am born again and love God, therefore that is bound to spill over into what I share.

In fact, if it doesn't - I'd have to wonder if my faith was genuine. I am very thankful that I have the assurance of being with our Lord forever in eternity - if you have questions about this, please do e-mail me.

It is obviously everyone's choice to choose to read my blog or not - a blog is a very personal thing that we choose to share with others.

I am thankful that so many lovely ladies have chosen to visit my blog. Please do not criticize me for sharing of myself - if you choose to visit here - you know what you will find. And that is a woman who loves God and her home and family. This is what I have shared about and what I will continue to write about here.

Monica

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for the challenge that you worded so beautifully. you are a great encouragement!

Aubrey said...

Yes, you are correct about people choosing to read your blog and just to make one point of my own and I'm sure there are tons of other Christian denominations that will agree with me...it is a pompous thing to assume you are saved just because you choose to say you are.

The Liberty Belle said...

What a delightful post...with a good message for all.

Wendi said...

It always gives me a great feeling when I pull into the drive at night and see the warm glow from my home.

~Tammy~ said...

Very well written post and response to Aubry! I admire how you handled that.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hi Aubrey -

You are absolutely right that saying you are saved is not enough.

It is a step of faith to call out to Him and ask for forgiveness and eternal life. And, it is His amazing grace that says, "yes" when we come to Him in this way.

The evidence of His Spirit living in us is in the Fruit of the Spirit - whether we have these qualities in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control.

Not just "living a good life" - but living a life committed to Christ.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts -
Monica

Debra said...

I love looking in our window at night and watching my family. I also love looking in other's windows too - glad I am not alone! You just wonder what are they talking about, what are they watching, etc. I am so interested in others' lifestyles, cultures, etc. Thanks for a great post.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful testimony, Monica!

gemma said...

Monica,

What a wonderful post. My mother always walked around the house and peeked in the windows and until I had my own home, sadly without children but warm and welcoming nevertheless, I never knew what she did that for.....thanks for verbalizing that wonderful feeling of checking out your life, sort of.