During construction of our house, my sister-in-law shared the coolest idea with us – when building their house, their family wrote scripture and their names on the wood studs with a Sharpie.
A home built around God’s word. Literally.
The passage in Deuteronomy about teaching scripture to children came to mind.Focusing on God’s word isn’t just for Sunday morning, but instead for every day, and should permeate every aspect of our lives.
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
-Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (ESV)
As my husband and I prepared to walk through the house after framing (before drywall), we considered what we wanted to write on our doorposts.
What do we want our house to be used for? How do we want to live life as a family? What scripture is special to each member of our family? We really do desire for God’s Word to permeate our lives and for our home to reflect it to others.
We thought about what we do in each room of the house and picked scripture to remind us of what we WANT to happen in each room. It was really fun to think about the purpose of each space.
Thinking about our kids and what we desire for their relationships with God was even more fun. And special. By far, this was one of the best parts of building a new home – and yes, I think it was even more exciting than picking out countertops and finishes.
We’ve lived in our finished house for 2 years. While we know what verses are hiding just behind the drywall, it just isn’t enough to know the words are there. No, we want those words to affect our life.
Now we are finding ways to display the verses in each room. They will not only be part of the structure, but also part of the livable space. We have a few more rooms to go, but are making progress!
Many of the verses are displayed today because my PhotoShop-talented mom gave them to us as a gift (Thank you!). Talk about a gift with deep, lasting significance!
Here are the verses we chose for our home and family.
Kitchen and Dining Room:
Our family’s day starts and ends in the kitchen and dining room. We share our meals and talk about our days – the heart of our home. We chose Joshua 24:15 because we want to be a family who daily chooses to serve the Lord.
Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
Living Room:
Our living room is where we hang out as a family and guests. It is where the television is, and where we spend a lot of our time. This is where life happens! Philippians 4:8 reminds us of what we want to happen in this room. We want our activities and talk to be filled with GOOD things that honor the Lord.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Front Door:
On the post for our front door, we chose Numbers 6:24-26. I cannot think of a better prayer to pray over those who enter and exit our home. We are still looking for a way to display this one above the door.
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
Office:
Our office is currently being used as a ‘LEGO room’. One day, it will be an office displaying Proverbs 19:21. This seems like a suitable verse for the place where we work, pay our bills, and consider our finances. We want all of these things to be submitted to the Lord and to follow His leading for our family.
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Our Son’s Room:
Ephesians 6:10-11 was the first scripture verse our son memorized. He learned it while we were helping him work through his fear of thunder storms. It is our goal as parents to teach our children how to be clothed in God’s armor so they are equipped to stand firmly in faith on their own.
10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
Our Daughter’s Room:
Proverbs 3:5-6 was written on our daughter’s doorpost. It is our prayer that she will grow up trusting God to guide her steps. We pray this verse with her and over her often.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Our Bedroom:
For our room, my husband and I chose two verses. Ephesians 4:2-3 expresses how we want to treat each other – with gentleness, humility and patience through love.
The second is Song of Solomon 6:3 – we belong to each other…now and forever.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
and
3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine
Song of Solomon 6:3 (NIV)
While our family is not always good at living these things out, the verses serve as a reminder to point us to God. Often, when the day seems chaotic, a glance at the displays in each room can give me words to pray for our family, and change our attitudes.
Our kids are also very interested in the verses and often ask us to read them out loud. And, we can refer to them as we teach them about each verse and what it means.
I am so glad we took the time to select and write scripture during construction. I love how displaying them helps our family to remember in God daily life, and as we share our home with others.
How have you posted what is important to your family in your home?
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