Everyone who lives as a family knows that sometimes it can be chaotic and challenging. And if there’s no remedy, it’ll start weighing on your heart, causing sadness.
The definition of family may have changed and been shifted around lately, but the truth is that there’s always one person who seems to be at the helm, steering the ship.
In my home, it was ‘The Mom’. Mom took care of the scrapes, the bruises, the broken hearts, broken bikes, and supplied a pillar of strength and reason for everyone around her.
But who looks after ‘The Mom’, and more importantly, how does ‘The Mom’ take care of herself? How can her wisdom, life lessons, and self-care be passed on to those she loves?
The Beautiful Chaos
| 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love.” |
When you’re doing your best, running your life from a place of love, you also need to remember you need love and peace too.
In fact, each person on this earth can be overwhelmed and will need to seek a little ‘time out’, an intentionally delegated space for thought, prayer, questions, and breathing.
| Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” |
This place of peace doesn’t have to be a whole room. It can be literally a windowsill, even a small alcove. If you’re tight on space (e.g., you live in an apartment or a tiny home), you can even use a tiny candle or a yoga mat.
Think of your ‘place of peace’ as also a place in your mind. Not only a physical location.
Tip: If you can have that place be filled with natural light, that would be very helpful.
Anyone can bring their troubles to this spot to reflect on their well-being, take a moment for themselves, do some yoga, meditate, or journal. For children, it might be drawing pictures, writing stories, or reading. Whatever brings peace to their soul and time to reflect on a hectic day, or takes a moment to be with themselves (and/or God).
| Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” |
Our Senses
- Sight: Soft natural light, beautiful Christian wall art, anything that inspires love of life, of family, of others.
- Sound: Soft music, chimes, a small fountain. Even the sound of silence can be healing.
- Touch: Sometimes it’s nice to have something soft to stroke. Using prayer beads, a cushion, or a soft rug can offer a tranquil setting and something tactile to help focus your thoughts.
- Smell: A natural scented air diffuser or candle can bring nature indoors—even a fragrant plant or herb.
By feeling and realizing our senses and the experiences they bring, we are closer to God with the realization that all of this is made possible because of a higher power.
Serenity
The clearest example:
| Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV) “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” |
The health and well-being of the whole family are precious. With the information that everyone has access to these days, the internet, the news, the news on the internet, false news, all the back-and-forth discourse, and AI, it can be daunting and scary to find your way through it all. Should you ignore it? Should you watch it? If yes, what should you watch?
It can be easy to get lost in feelings, and time spent in conversation as a family can help everyone with hard questions.
Teaching (learning and practicing as well) how to communicate with each other in this calm space can encourage sharing in love, caring for each other, and participating in fun, too!
Modeling this behaviour for your kids is a powerful lesson.
Conclusion
Creating a place where you can always find peace and calmness, even get inspired, is not that difficult. It’s simple, really.
Think about what evokes calmness for you? A tidy and clean room? Minimalism? Certain colors? Specific art? Perhaps it’s a certain sound (even the sound of silence counts).
Regardless of what it is, priority number one is self-care. If you’re depleted, you cannot give blood from a stone, so notice when it’s time to move away from the chaos – even if it’s for a few minutes – and reset.
The beauty, protection, and love will always be there waiting.
Embrace well-being and move in peace.
