Since we are doing a craft tonight that involves picture frames, I thought it would be good to look at the meaning of the word “frame”. The word “frame” has several meanings. It can mean a structure that holds a building together or a border that makes a picture look even better. It can mean “framing someone”- incriminating a person for something he or she hasn’t done. So framing something or someone can make them look better or make them look worse. I have seen beautiful photographs and paintings ruined just by being put into an ugly frame. I have seen people make others look bad when they had done nothing wrong. Let’s apply this to our own lives: take a look at the atmosphere of your home. That will be your picture. Is it a happy one or is dark and depressing? What would outsiders say if they just popped in unnoticed? Now look at yourself as the frame: are you making things look better in your home, enhancing what is already there or are you making things look worse? How much negativity is coming out of your mouth? Are you moping around sad and depressed all the time? Or, are you trying to make your home a pleasant place to live? My sister-in-law gave me a book before I moved to Australia. It is called Making Your Home a Haven. It really made me think about how I would set up our home once we got settled here in Australia. One of the things I learned from this book is that it’s not just a clean, warm appearance that makes your home a haven, more importantly; it’s what’s inside of you. You have to open your heart to the people who God has entrusted to your care and those that visit your home. Some homes are just so cluttered and neglected that it would be very hard for anyone to enjoy being there. Do you know what the word “Chaos” stands for? Can’t Have Anyone Over Soon! I have been inside of some very beautiful, immaculate homes but felt very cold and miserable because of the atmosphere inside. It was not warm or inviting to me at all. You could tell that the family never did anything together and that everyone led their own individual lives. But, I’ve also been in some not-so-clean or tidy homes but felt very welcomed because of the attitudes of the people inside. They made me feel welcomed. They loved being together and had fun together. I think balance is the key. Have your place nice and clean enough that you would never mind unannounced guests coming over but don’t be so particular about everything that your own family does not feel welcomed there because they may mess up something. Bring out the board games and have a Family Fun Night. Have a picnic in the lounge room on a rainy day. Pop some popcorn and enjoy a movie night. Invite the local kids over for a pizza party. Please don’t be guilty of just bringing out your best china and tidying up when guests come over. You should make your family feel special each and every day. Don’t make a sick friend a wonderful meal and dessert without doing the same for your family. Frame your home with love. These Bible verses sound very funny but to those families who have to endure the day-in day-out terrible attitudes of an unhappy woman these are very traumatic. Proverbs 21:9 says It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. And Proverbs 27:15 adds A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Have you ever tried to go to sleep with the tap dripping? So, we as keepers of our home must be aware of how we are framing it. If we are single we have this time to really create a special place for our family and friends to visit and always remembering how important our attitude and demeanour is. The Bible also says in Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Let’s not be foolish but build our house with care and frame it with love. See your family as wonderful treasures, gift from God. Take this season of life to make your home a happy place, a place that people love coming to. Make your home a haven of peace, joy and order. Ask God to help you. After all, He is the Master Builder! Find that joy in Him and spread it around!