Make peace a priority

As we grow older, we often find we cannot handle stress as well as we did when we were young. 

These days, I find that a peaceful home and life is of utmost importance, especially as I deal with chronic illness and pain daily. 

I strive to ensure my home is peaceful and I diligently seek to eliminate things and people that cause me stress. Your mental health will thank you!

Let us try to make our homes a sanctuary from the world's trouble and mayhem. So let us deck the halls of our home and heart...

• Let us make sure we keep our homes clean and aired.
• Let us try to stay to a routine that gives us time to teach our children.
• Let us remember that our children will be picking up and hearing fearful information, so let us be particularly loving with them.
• Let us make meals that not only fill our family's stomach, but nourish them. Give them something to look forward to at meal times.
• Let us be loving with our husband- chances are he has worries about employment and like you, is concerned about how to stretch the finances and keep the roof over your head and food on the table.
• Let us try to avoid speaking constantly about the ills of this current state of the world in front of the children. They may be young, but they will take in a lot of fear. If the parents are afraid, then for them, it is the end of the world.
• Let us limit watching the news as this is bound to effect everyone. Limit news to finding out directly what you need to know and turn it off.
• Let us watch uplifting videos, especially with our children and let's play with them. Make a cubby house and let your children be the Mum and you the child. Use your imagination and delight them.
• Let us put our little ones into the bath and sit alongside them, singing songs and telling stories and blowing bubbles with them.
• Let us have a sense of calm and peace in our home, for everyone to enjoy.
• Let us be particularly attentive and available to our spouse and fan the flames of romance. It works wonders for a marriage.
• Let us sit at table and teach the little ones etiquette, and have the table set nicely to make it a time of pleasure and unity.
• Let us continue with a daily nightly bedtime routine for the children and keep regular sleeping hours.
• Let us pray with our children at night as they go to bed, allowing them to know that God loves them, watches out for them and calls all the stars by name. Invite discussion of any worries so that they can be reassured and sleep better.
• Let us keep up with our own appearance and hygiene, for that will make us feel more like we can cope.
• Let us use the fine crockery, tableware, cloth serviettes and silver utensils. Drag out the best linen and softest towels and celebrate home and family.
• Let us remember to pray for others, particularly for those for whom isolation means domestic violence. Have this link on hand for help if you or someone you know needs protection and advice.
• Let us remember to keep close to the LORD Who has gone to prepare a place for us, and is coming to take us Home with Him soon. 

Peace is the first casualty of stress. Make peace a priority in your life and home. 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “ In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15