Make a JOYful Noise Unto the Lord

I have often been told that a wife and mother sets the tone in her home. I have found this to be very true. For example, if a wife greets her husband with a scowl when he comes home from work and she immediately begins complaining about what a terrible day she has had, her husband is NOT likely to respond with a "Hi Honey, I'm so happy to be home!" On the other hand, if the wife decides to greet her husband with a smile and a kiss and takes the focus off of herself and her problems and instead puts her focus on her husband and asks him about HIS day, the husband is much more likely to enjoy coming home after a hard day's work. Those first few minutes when your husband walks in the door can often set the tone for the rest of the evening. I know this from personal experience.

In the same way, the mother sets the tone at home with her children. For example, if the mother goes about her household tasks with grumbling and complaining, she can expect her children to do their chores with grumbling and complaining. But, if the mother is whistling and singing while she does household chores, her children will more than likely whistle and sing when they do theirs. My daughter is still a baby, but I see how my attitude already sets the tone in the home. If I am excited and cheerful, my daughter will usually start smiling and get excited. If I am grumpy, she tends to get upset more easily.

Although I fail at times, I try my best to set a joyful and pleasant tone in my home. I try to greet my husband with a kiss and smile when he gets home from work, no matter how hard my day was. When I go about my daily household tasks, I like to put on some Christian music and sing out the words with a spring in my step. Not only does this keep my spirits lifted, but it also keeps my heart and mind focused on Christ and what He has done for me. It cultivates thankfulness in my heart when I sing melodies about what Christ has done for me. It helps me take the focus off of myself and my problems. Now, I am an alto and struggle to hit the "high notes" sometimes, but when I sing in my home with my family, I often belt out the words like there's no tomorrow! Sometimes I hit the high notes, sometimes I don't! But you know what? I don't care! I am making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Sometimes in the evening, my husband and I will sit at the piano together and just sing hymns unto the Lord. We do not always sing on key, but we are making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Living out the Christian faith daily in the so-called "mundane" things of life is so important in raising our children to follow the Lord. Christ has paid the price for our sin! Our Saviour lives! He is good! He is faithful! He is mighty to save! This is where our JOY comes from. It is the joy of our salvation! Let this joy be evident in your home. Let's follow Jesus' instruction in Matthew 5:16 to "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven." As a homemaker, the only people you might encounter today may be your husband and children. Don't forget to let your light shine before them, too!

Choose to make a JOYful noise unto the Lord today.