You have probably seen those little books that list the funny things children say.

One of these books asked children to fill in the blanks to complete various well-known sayings. For example, for the phrase, “Roses are red and violets are______ ,” one young child wrote in the word “stinky.” Another phrase read “Home is where the_______ is,” so students could write in the word “heart.” One child’s answer must have reflected the way he perceived his own home. His answer read “Home is where the dirt is.”

My youngest son and his wife (Caleb and Adrian) just bought their first house. I wanted to get them a housewarming gift. When I went out to shop, I was looking for a coffee table book that contained a list of blessings for their new home, but I couldn’t find one. So instead, I decided to write out my desires for their new house. From now on, they have the privilege of turning this house into a home. Home is where the heart is . . . and also where the postman delivers the bills.

Here’s my letter, written from my wife and me because we both want nothing but God’s best for our children:
Dear Caleb and Adrian,

Congratulations on your new home! We are excited for you as you enter the next phase of your life. We know that one of the first things you did when you bought your house was go from room to room and pray over each one. As your parents, we also have prayers for you and your new home.

It is our prayer that your new home will:

1. Be filled with peace: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (Isaiah 32:18).

2. Be filled with laughter and joy: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them’” (Psalm 126:2).

3. Be a place of refuge: “It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (Isaiah 4:6).

4. Be a place with lots of little feet: “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.” (Psalm 127:3).

5. Be a safe place: “Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not upon them” (Job 21:9). “O Lord, You will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever” (Psalm 12:7).

6. Be a place where strangers feel welcomed: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

7. Be a place where God will meet all of your needs: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

8. Be a place where love abounds: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).

9. Be a place where you experience God’s magnificent grace: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

10. Be a place where God enlarges His Kingdom: “He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come”’” (Luke 11:2).

11. Be a place of blessings. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

12. Be a place where dreams are discovered: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’” (Acts 2:17).

Again, congratulations on your new home! Your mom and I are excited for you two. Every home has a reputation, and God has given you a blank slate, a fresh beginning. Together, you get to choose what kind of home you will build. Choose wisely to build your home on a solid foundation.

Of course we wanted to give you a Baker’s dozen of blessings, so here is our final prayer for your new home. Caleb and Adrian, we pray that your home will always:

13. Be a place of prayer: “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15).

Love,
Mom and Dad

Walker Moore is president of AweStar Ministries in Tulsa, P.O. Box 470265, Tulsa 74147, e-mail walker@awestar.org, phone 800/AWESTAR (293-7827)