The Fragrance of Love in Your Home

Have you ever felt weary or had a deep desire for change in your life—something fresh and new?

Recently, I found myself crying out to Jesus in desperation for change. I felt like I had been going through the motions and lacking excitement and motivation yet having a deep hunger and longing for greater purpose in my life. The Bible speaks about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23, and the fruit that resonated most with my spirit in this season of my life is love. So, I asked Jesus to bring more love into my life!

If you are lacking the fruit of love in your life, start to give it away. Love is an action. Begin by really seeking God for a greater revelation of His love. He will reveal His great love to you and show you who He created you to be—a vessel to pour into others. Jeremiah 29:12–13 says, “You will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you, you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart” (NKJV).

When you give love purely from your heart, you receive abundant joy! It’s easy to get busy, self-consumed, caught up in the daily routines of life, and feeling like you are not moving forward. Isaiah 43:18–24 says, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (NKJV). God wants us to live life in an abundance of love and joy.

One way to see more love and joy in your life is to start organizing and refreshing your home and surroundings. When I think of love, I visualize white gardenias and orchids, red roses, tulips, and pomegranates. Here are some simple ways to renew, refresh, and display love in your home.

Kitchen

• Clean, organize, and get rid of clutter by using containers and baskets.
• Freshen up with new paint. Keep it light, neutral, and airy.
• Install new kitchen counter tops—white quartz is stunning and fresh!
• Install natural European wide-plank hardwood floors to create a casual elegance to your home while keeping it warm and bright.
• Display fresh flowers such as gardenias, roses, hydrangeas, and tulips. Add lemons, limes, or pomegranates to the arrangement.
• Display fruit in a crystal, wood, or ceramic bowl. You can also use glass apothecary jars. Lemons, limes, pears, and pomegranates add beautiful color and vibrancy to a room.
• A backsplash of Italian mosaic stone or tile is an elegant piece of art that can be a focal point to your kitchen.
• Dress your dining table and windows with fresh, crisp white linens, and add a centerpiece made with fresh fruit, greenery, and flowers.
• Candles always add beauty and fragrance and a feeling of love and serenity.

Family Room

• Add a tumbled brick accent wall or fireplace to bring warmth and texture. This is inviting for the family to gather together, pray, and read the Word of God.
• Install built-in bookcases to display family photos, favorite books, and memorable art or accessories.
• A colorful mosaic glass bowl is artistic and radiates beauty.

Area rugs anchor the room and bring texture, warmth, and color.
Remember, it’s not about the size of your home, it’s the love that you display in your home.

These are simple ways to brighten and bring love into your home. Most importantly, ask God to fill you up with His love. When you start to change the atmosphere of your home, you will see a difference. God does not want us to stay in complacency. He wants to make all things “new” in our lives (Rev. 21:5). He wants to restore the broken things and make all things “beautiful” (Eccles. 3:11)!

We need to be advancing and moving forward, not staying stagnant. God wants us to have a vision and a purpose and to be used for His glory. Ask God to show you things and to cleanse your heart. Evaluate your life and what you are passionate about doing for God. Try to visualize what you want your life to look like. Write down your dreams, goals, and visions, and ask Him how to make a difference in His Kingdom. Most of all, ask God to strengthen you. If you begin reaching out to others by giving and going beyond your own needs and comfort, the fruit of love will grow in you and become contagious. You never know what someone is going through. They could be feeling discouraged or hopeless. A simple smile, a word of encouragement, baking something sweet, giving flowers or a gift, or planting a seed in someone’s dream are all simple ways to express love.

Fill yourself up with the Word of God. It will bring life to your spirit. Meditate on Scripture and God’s love for you. The more your vessel is filled, the more you will be able to give love into other people’s lives. Your pitcher of love will be overflowing.