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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 7, 2015

The Peace-Filled Home

the peace filled home series from atthepicketfence.com

Not too long ago we had some of our dearest friends over for dinner. Their son was running around with our kids and general hilarity and mayhem was the order for the evening. As the kids played and the husbands talked my sweet friend turned to me and said, “You know, your home just feels so peaceful.”

summer dining room centerpiece

 

It was then I knew she had actually gone and lost her mind. I mean, could she not see what I saw? Pizza boxes on the kitchen island, toys strewn all around on the floor, yelling and screams of laughter wafting down to us from the upstairs playroom.

“You think THIS is peaceful?” I asked her. Did she not see and hear what was happening in that moment? Was my friend certifiable and should I be concerned that she was in our home?

And that is when she said it. “Oh, I know that things are kind of crazy right now but just in general, at it’s core, your home feels peaceful.”

It caught me off guard. It stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple comment (a compliment!) thrown into a conversation (probably one that started off with a discussion about boys and why on earth they can’t seem to aim properly when they’re going to the bathroom) and yet it completely floored me.

And this simple comment started me down a path of pondering and processing what it really means to have a peaceful home. A peace-filled home.

Is it possible to have a home that is peaceful even when life is crazy? Are there things that I have done in my own home that have contributed to it feeling peaceful? Can we create homes that are havens for our families when schedules are busy and jam-packed?

vintage linens and silverware atthepicketfence.com

I think the answer to all of those questions is a resounding YES!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to share my own journey towards a peace-filled home at the Becoming Conference in beautiful Asheville, NC. It was a time to gather together as women to encourage and inspire each other. A beautiful time of sharing hearts and ideas and generally lifting each other up as we journey down this path of womanhood.

Over and over I heard women share with me that they wanted to have peace-filled homes too. That they longed for it.

And over and over we talked about where to begin

Because, you see, I believe that..

 a peace-filled home begins with a peace-filled heart.

And as I was flying back home to Oregon on Sunday, I started wondering if maybe I should share with you what I shared with the ladies at the conference.

I’d like to start a dialogue. I’d like us to be able to talk about whether or not you feel like your home is filled with peace. I’d like to know if you feel this is just as important as I do to the success of a home and a family.

Because I believe it’s a choice. I believe that we have to choose to have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes.

Peace is not the same as happiness quote

 

So, what do you think? Would you like to join me on this journey toward having a peace-filled home? Are you ready to invite it into your heart and into your home?

I sure would love to be on this journey with you!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Peace-Filled Home and thank you so much for meeting me at the fence today,

 Vanessa signature

23 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Peace-Filled Home

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Comments

  1. Nancy Sharp says

    August 7, 2015 at 4:39 AM

    I have tried to keep my home as a peace-filled sanctuary for my family to come home to. Especially after they were grown. Now I continue that as best I can for my grandkids. It starts with my own heart of letting Christ control my life.(always a work in progress!). My husband and I have wanted Christ to be the heart of our marriage. I know that’s why we have been HAPPILY married for 51 years. Then loving my home helps too. My aim is for it to look great but be relaxed and let it say to all, “make yourself at home”.

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    August 7, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    I’m in! LOL Who doesn’t want peace? I have hypertension and a lil ocd so not sure I can gain that feeling anywhere. Not sure how people feel in my home….hubby and I are kind of loners… we tend to go visit the daughter and grand kids in their home. (which btw is not peaceful at all!) I feel peaceful in my home when it is clean and looking good.
    Looking forward to this journey!
    Have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  3. Wendy Johnson says

    August 7, 2015 at 5:16 AM

    I am continually amazed at what I find on blogs. I started reading them because I was bored and because I was interested in the decorating tips. Then I realized there were many Christian bloggers , like you and I found much more than I ever expected. So yes, I want to go on a journey!

    Reply
  4. Kay says

    August 7, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    We all want peace but it begins with the Prince of Peace. Yes, it begins in the heart. I look forward to going on the journey with all of you.

    Reply
  5. Sandi says

    August 7, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    I love what you have written. I will definitely follow along. Hugs,

    Reply
  6. Gwen says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    Strangely I have had men, women enter my home and say they feel peace. And that I can decorate which to me is nothing like anyone else’s space! Yes. Peace that passes all understanding. To be reminded of that I daily need. I’m housebound unless someone takes me somewhere. I’ve found that I who was active and vibrant is now in a new place. Alone. So as I meditate. Really focus on a passage of the Bible. A very very quiet peace fills the air. I’ve been a Christian all my life but this has been a deeper growth of my faith. To find peace in turmoil. In physical conditions. I awoke and meditate on the verse of the week as my mind awoke troubled. “Trust. Trust in the Lord. With. With all my heart. And lean not unto my own understanding. Don’t try to figure everything out on my own. In all my ways. Acknowledge Him. And He will. And He will direct my path.
    As I focus on Gods Word and turn my eyes to Jesus I get relief. I may have to continually repeat verses, sing hymns and spiritual songs but peace returns to my heart and thus peace resides here in my home. Yes your journey if Bible based!!

    Reply
  7. Design Chic says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    What a wonderful compliment from your friend and I must say, whenever I’m here, I too feel that peace. In the midst of all of our busy lives, there is something so comforting about the warmth and peace of home…wishing you two a weekend that is just the same…

    Reply
  8. N from Va says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    I really enjoy your posts and this one touched me. My home is not peaceful and I struggle with and know it. My husband and I are separated and I recently moved with my 6-year-old son.. I am working to let go of clutter but much of the clutter falls into the ‘collectible antique’ category and I often shuffle items from one storage area on the floor to another (we do not have much storage or closet space as it is an older small colonial).

    More pressing though is that the home is not happy. It feels cluttered, a bit heavy, and unsettled (anxious).
    Reading your post renewed my commitment though. With the school year starting soon I also need to start fresh and bring more space, light, less clutter and more peace and love into our home.

    Am grateful for your blog.

    Reply
  9. Becky Steffen says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    I would love for u to share more on the peace filled home. Thx for what u write. It’s inspiring to me. Love picture decorating ideas very much too 🙂 bless you

    Reply
  10. Sue Tait says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    A peace-filled home… How I longed for that for so many years. At one point though, it became a necessity rather than a longing. When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I found that there were changes I had to make for my own health and well being, and the item on the top of my list was to remove the stress in my life. I finally accomplished this by finding a different place for us to live and changing our lifestyle dramatically. This involved moving from town to 50 miles away to 65 acres in the woods, and building the house of our dreams. We did this in1994, and it was the best decision we ever made. There is no traffic here to speak of, no sirens all through the night, no light pollution, no jarring sounds, just birdsong, the sound of breezes through the many trees, the sounds of water in the creek, and mostly nothing. Nothing but peace.
    The house we built is our own design, there are so many elements of it that came from my grandmother’s old house, windows, doors, flooring, bead board,other things that remind me of the happy days I spent there as a child. The exterior is all wood with a metal roof, the interior is all wood floors, pine planks, and painted sheet rock walls, very organic in atmosphere. It is the sense of peace and quiet that every visitor here notices and remarks on when they come here, and that was our goal in designing the house. But the nature that abounds outside, as well as the comfortable atmosphere inside is a source of peace to me that is invaluable in alleviating the worst symptoms of my condition.
    The main reason I am better is the peace in my heart. And it is difficult to name which caused the other to happen, the peace of our surroundings causing the peace inside, or the peace in my heart that caused me to be so happy about the decision to live here.
    I think that surrounding yourself with peace-inducing items is always helpful, but it is true that there must be that quiet in your own heart to begin with for anything outside of yourself to work for you.
    I love your great articles and appreciate the opportunity you give us, your followers, to voice our own thoughts.
    Thank you thank you thank you!

    Reply
  11. Julia says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    This post is so timely…and yes, I want to follow along with you. Just yesterday as I was leaving work I prayed that my home would be more peaceful. I know the Prince of Peace and I must let Him reign in my heart and my home!

    Reply
  12. Carol says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    Many years ago I was a “mama” trainer at the college. The football players came out and would always say that it was so peaceful and restful out here. My home is neat (most of the time) not over decorated and I truly believe God lives here.

    Reply
  13. Carol Weiler says

    August 7, 2015 at 9:30 AM

    Yes. Peace. Please.

    Reply
  14. Michelle Mortensen says

    August 7, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    Thank you for this wonderful, though-provoking post. It really made me think.
    Best,
    Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com

    Reply
  15. Maria Gonzalez says

    August 7, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    Beautiful post and I completely agree! A peace-filled home is my goal.

    xo, Maria

    Reply
  16. Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life says

    August 7, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    I so enjoyed getting to listen to you share at the conference on this topic last weekend! Thank you again for traveling out such a long way to come. I’m looking forward to following along here too and joining in the dialogue.

    I love your statement that a peace-filled home begins in the heart. I think that this is so true. Our children and other people can tell when we are comfortable with ourselves and our homes, when we are focused on showing them love and hospitality and not just fulfilling certain expectations we’ve set, and when we have the mindset and perspective to see the big picture.

    Just like the saying goes, if mama’s not happy, no one is happy. (Did you say that in your presentation? I kind of feel like you did… 😉 ).

    Reply
  17. Lisa Mothersead says

    August 7, 2015 at 3:31 PM

    I love that quote! This has been a priority in this home we bought 8 years ago. I’m so glad it’s trending now. Lots of great ideas from bloggers like you gals.

    Reply
  18. Bonnie says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    I am older and I have found that PEACE is the answer and only Jesus can do that. I commend you for what you are going to do. Love your blogs, etc.

    Reply
  19. Peggy says

    August 8, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    Beautiful post. I’m in for the journey.

    Reply
  20. Mary Alice Kenley says

    August 8, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    I

    Reply
    • Mary Alice Kenley says

      August 8, 2015 at 4:38 PM

      I have learned as my children have grown up, married, left and started their own families that having a peace-filled atmosphere is one of the main reasons they like to come back. It isn’t uncommon to look out on one of the screened porches or the dock and see two of them, just sitting and talking with each other. Makes my heart smile every time!

      Reply
  21. Dawn Findley says

    August 9, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    Peace begins in the heart with God the center of the home. With peace you can have a beautiful home and outward countenance. Love your blog and yes I look forward to more. God bless you.

    Reply
  22. jane@Bluebird1959 says

    August 10, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    I’ve packed my bags and am ready to journey together! Love this idea and I look forward to reading more. Jane

    Reply

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