house decorating

How do you know how much time, energy, and money should be spent on decorating your home? This can be a struggle especially with decorating blogs, pinterest, face book, and so many do-it-yourself websites easily available. These websites offer wonderful ideas and can save money, but when used too much they can also become big time-wasters, and make you disastisfied with your home.
Just like everything else in life, I think that balance is the key. Your home should be a place where people feel comfortable, kids can play in, but yet pleasing to the eye.
 Sharon James wrote the following about Elizabeth Prentiss, a very Godly woman who lived in the mid 1800s. Prentiss was the author of "Stepping Heavenward" a must read book.

"Women often asked Elizabeth whether it was 'worldly' to devote time to making a home beautiful. Elizabeth was convinced that God made a beautiful world, and that He gifts people with creativity. He is glorified when human beings make their surroundlings clean, attractive and pleasant. She would sometimes joke about her mosses and branches being her 'idols', but in reality she believed that enjoying the creation and giving God thanks for it brings glory to the Creator. She did not believe that costly extravagance was justified: the many decorations found in her house actually cost very little in monetary terms, though a good deal in time and effort. Moreover, much of her time was employed in making gifts for friends and relatives, and she believed that giving others pleasure in this way also brought glory to God. She loved to welcome visitors and her hospitality was legendary.
One greatful guest wrote:
What a delightful home she made! The 'good cheer' she furnished for the minds, hearts, and bodies of her guests was something remarkable. I shall never forget my visits. I always went away full of the marvels of the visit, as well as loaded down with many little tokens of her kindness and thoughtfulness."

I was encouraged when I read this about Elizabeth Prentiss. It is not wrong to enjoy going to garage sales, thrift stores or spend time changing your furniture around to make your home attractive. God loves beauty too! But God also loves it when we have meaningful conversations, enourage, show kindness and graciousness to those who visit our home.