The Haven: Creating a Sanctuary in a World of Noise
If you’ve ever walked into your house after a long day and felt your shoulders move up toward your ears instead of dropping down in relief, you aren’t alone. We live in a world that is loud, demanding, and cluttered. But I believe with all my heart that our homes should be the place we want to go to get away from the crazy—not a place that makes us feel like we need a vacation.
Just like we need to open our Bibles daily to clear the mental clutter and drown out the world’s noise, we need to look at our physical spaces with the same intentionality. We cannot find rest in a place that is screaming for our attention.
The Science of the “Quiet Home”
I know it’s easy to think that “a little mess never hurt anyone,” but our brains actually tell a different story. It’s not just an opinion that a clutter-free home helps us relax; it’s a physiological fact.
1. The Cortisol Connection Researchers at UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF) found a direct link between “item density” (clutter) and stress. Women who lived in homes they described as cluttered or full of unfinished projects had higher levels of cortisol—the primary stress hormone—throughout the day.
2. Mental Focus and Clarity Ever wonder why it’s hard to focus on your Bible study when the mail is piled up and the sink is full? Princeton University Neuroscience Institute researchers discovered that clutter competes for your attention. When your environment is cluttered, your “proactive interference” increases, making it harder for your brain to process information and focus on a single task.
When we purge the clutter, we aren’t just cleaning a room; we are clearing a path for our minds to rest in Jesus.
Homemaking as a Ministry (Even When You’re Busy)
There is a lie out there that says being a homemaker is “less than” or that it only “counts” if you are doing it full-time. As a single mom who spends my days behind a salon chair, I’m here to tell you that’s just not true.
Homemaking isn’t about how many hours you spend inside the house; it’s about the priority you give the atmosphere within it. Whether you are a full-time homemaker or a working mom, caring for your home is your first and most important ministry. It is an act of service to your family and an act of stewardship to God.
A Note to the Overwhelmed: Possessions are temporary. They aren’t the legacy we leave behind. If your things are starting to steal your peace, it’s time to let them go.
The Open Door: The Ministry of Hospitality
Our homes are called The Haven for a reason—not just for us, but for everyone who walks through the door. Scripture is full of the mandate for hospitality. Jesus was the ultimate guest, but He also taught us how to be the ultimate host. He showed us that hospitality isn’t about a Pinterest-perfect house; it’s about a welcoming heart.
In 1 Peter 4:9, we are told to:
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
When we remove the clutter and the stress, we finally have the “margin” to invite people in. We can be the “good hostess” Jesus calls us to be because we aren’t embarrassed by the piles or stressed by the “noise.” We can offer a cup of coffee and a listening ear in a space that reflects the peace of the Holy Spirit and use the beautiful home God has provided us with to serve those around us well.
Let’s Reclaim the Haven
Today, I want to encourage you to look at one corner of your home. Clear the clutter. Light a candle. Open your Bible. Let’s make our homes places where the world’s noise stops and the Savior’s voice begins.
Let me know in the comments below where your favorite “quiet place” is.
♡ Kim
