The Refuge of Home


The world is increasingly becoming a scary place. We no longer live in an era where safety is assured in public places.

Last night my husband and I had a date night, which is usually code for running a few errands and enjoying a dinner together. While we were gone, Rusty pointed out an area where a shooting took place last week. If this wasn’t enough, I felt far from safe while we were shopping. The Gander Outdoors store we visited instructed that all large bags and backpacks be checked into customer service. I’m assuming this policy is in place to deter shoplifting. Before we entered the store a family was screaming at each other in the parking lot. Needless to say, I was very happy to pick up the few items I needed for Mabrey’s upcoming birthday and unfulfilled Etsy orders and head back towards home!

Now, the topic of why the world is becoming less safe by the minute is a very important to think about, because a world that refuses to walk in the ways of the Lord will always be just that. We must turn back to Him! But today, I’d like to talk about the overwhelming relief I felt when my husband finally pulled his truck into our driveway.

I didn’t always feel this way. I used to love spending time in public. Home almost seemed like a boring enemy. Why would I want to spend my time there, whilst the world offered all kinds of fun, excitement, and new experiences?

I was so incredibly misguided, ladies. At the time I didn’t understand that a simple and cozy home beat a loud and potentially dangerous public place any day. I used to think that I wasn’t a “home body,” and that nothing could ever change the way I was wired. Well, I’m happy to say that by nothing less than God’s grace, I now prefer to stay at home. Why the change?

I believe my thoughts began to shift towards building a loving and godly home (that we actually stay at most days) when I threw aside the weight of feminist thinking many years ago. This was the slow start for me. I wanted to provide my family a safe haven and a place of refuge, but for a long while I still longed to leave it each day with my children in tow. I thought this was normal. I didn’t understand there was a better way!

The Father’s ways are higher than mine, and when I continued to surrender more to Him day by day, I realized that He desired our home to be a refuge from the world which is increasingly becoming more sinful. But what good is a refuge when I choose to leave it on a much more regular basis than necessary? What good is a refuge when it stands empty?

Ladies, the Lord truly did a work in my heart for me to realize that I had been a fool to think that the world had more to offer my family than the home He has so graciously provided for us did. Only by His grace, I now desire to provide a life for my family that we don’t need a vacation from, starting in our home. While I still enjoy experiencing new things with my family, I can say that my heart feels more at rest in our home. I see it as a place of refuge, and I usually sigh with relief when we return there.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Isaiah 32:18

It is very important for us to remember that our home will never be our refuge unless the Lord is our refuge first. He will guide us as we seek to create a refuge for our families if He is our resting place. I’m so thankful that the Father has given us a place of refuge in this world. He is forever merciful, and I am forever grateful.

My 31 Day Journey to finding rest in the Lord can be found on Amazon.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I would love to connect with you on Facebook. I’d also like to invite you to my Mary & Martha Facebook Page, or to look at beautiful and inspiring Mary & Martha home decor. It is a such a blessing to serve you!

By the way, I also have a new line of mom tees in my Etsy shop. I hope you enjoy them!

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11 thoughts on “The Refuge of Home

  1. Magan says:

    Wonderful words, Nicole! I had just told my husband when we went on a date night a couple weeks ago that I just wanted to go home. Neither one of us felt safe as we walked the mall to the shoe store. It’s so funny because just a couple years ago we would go to the mall just to kill time. We ended up leaving and just ordering his shoes on amazon. We have become total homebodies. 😊

  2. Marilyn says:

    Nicole, thank you for this post. I,too am a homebody. I would rather stay home with a good book. I prefer to order my needs on line. God Bless you and yours.
    Marilyn

  3. Karen Del Tatto says:

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful post! I loved your Biblical insight on how our homes are our refuge with God at the center.

    I’ve always loved the verse from Isaiah you shared.

    I enjoyed my visit here! šŸ™‚

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