The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming

A friend introduced me to Sally Clarkson's books when my children were very young, and I have followed her blog and books ever since...with delight! I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher (thank you, Tyndale), and I'm loving it! Sally and her daughter Sarah have put together a heart-warming compilation of memoirs and reflections on the traditions God used in their family to bond them and inspire faith throughout their lives. I so appreciate how they communicate their experiences, convictions and ideas with so much love, grace, and depth. I also love how they have divided the chapters by month of the year, giving some structure and flow for how their traditions played out throughout their years. They are honest in saying their traditions and lives weren't perfectly carried out and through life seasons they modified and flexed as needed (REAL LIFE :) ). And while they recognize there is messiness in the life of any family, they don't downplay the value of weaving beauty into our days, imperfect as they may be. This book is a refreshing reminder of what home was designed to be for families, but not a list of formulas for happiness. What I've gotten from the book most is more inspiration & ideas for ways that our family might be more intentional about our daily, monthly and annual rhythms. It has caused me to look deeply again at how important it is to evaluate why we do what we do. This is a timely message for me, and I am certain it will be for others, to be reminded that it's never too late to make positive, life-giving changes no matter what your history has been. "The story is always possible. The narrative of home, the new creation of belonging, is one we can always begin anew, wherever we dwell. We don't have to have a perfect family, a healthy background. We don't have to have lived in one place. We don't have to own a mansion or even a house. Nothing is required for the making of home except the heart that loves God, and imagination fired by His Spirit, and hands ready to create. And, well, a bit of courage, too." ~Sarah Clarkson "Love is enfleshed in the meals we make, the rooms we fill, the spaces in which we live and breathe and have our being." ~Sarah Clarkson "Even as the orchestra needs the conductor to choose the music, lead rehearsals, and unite all of the instruments into a harmonious sound, so every home needs someone who conducts what I call the life music of a home--it's atmosphere. ~Sally Clarkson "It was through the structure of home and family that God first gave men and women a chart for all of life." ~Sally Clarkson "I understood that no matter what other work I would accomplish, part of my service of worship to God was to serve the child He had given me." ~Sally Clarkson "The way we touch a child's life matters both in the long term and the short term. And this very important life work takes place primarily inside the walls of home...the reverse is also true. Over the years our little ones have shaped our lives as well. Babies in a home bring it to life." ~Sally Clarkson

As a book lover, I have read a countless amount of books in my life from exciting fantasy to wild west and Christian self-help books. However, despite my adoration for reading, I have never, EVER preordered a book until The LIfegiving Home was announced. I had not read a previous book of Sally's so the only reason I even knew about her was because of an interview I heard on a Podcast. Sally was being interviewed about her new book that was going to be released after Christmas and she was explaining the idea behind the book. I feel in love with Sally through the Podcast and that night I preordered her book. The Lifegiving Home is a FANTASTIC book! So fantastic that I finished this book within six hours of receiving it. However, I am going to have to read the book again because there is so much great information about family and values that I should probably take some notes. Because of the title "Lifegiving Home", it's fairly easy to assume this book is about creating the perfect, ideal American home but that's like the opposite of what this book is truly about. Sally's book is about creating a welcoming home environment wherever you are. She talks about the struggles of living overseas and how she did her best with creating an atmosphere of peace and love in her home while living in a crowded apartment. Sally talks about the importance of creating a supporting/loving environment for our children and the lasting impact it has on them. After all, as a parent, we want our children to feel completely at ease and relaxed when they come home after a stressful day at school. She also gives practical advice for creating meaningful habits, rituals, and traditions in a home and why it's important. The other neat part about this book is that it's coauthored with Sally's daughter, Sarah. Sarah adds a child's perspective on how her mother's homemaking impacted how she saw the world and how she grew up! There is just something about Sally's writing that captivates you. She writes with such a loving ease; it's as if she were sitting right next to me while I'm reading. Thank you Sally and Sarah for the wise words and encouragement! You are both greatly loved and appreciated.

The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming is about making home a place of beauty, a place of discipleship to God, a place of learning, a place of celebration, a place of love. I highlighted many sections as I read. Sarah Clarkson says, "Home is not merely a dwelling. It's not merely a state of existence. It's a story, a narrative spun out day by day, a story molded by the walls and hours and tasks and feasts with which we fill our time, reflecting the reality of the God whose love animates every aspect of our being." I love all of the little and bigger ideas they share. As we slowly weave these ideas into our own homes, they become vibrant places where life and love are celebrated. For example, I loved their idea about having a chalkboard on the front porch to welcome guests. I have incorporated this simple idea. In the book, I found this wonderful quote by J. Brillat-Savarin: "To invite someone into your home is to take charge of their happiness for as long as they are under your roof." In a world in turmoil, both natural and manmade, we may feel that there isn't much hope. This book is full of hope. Mother Teresa said, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family." Word to the Wise: I enjoyed the whole book. I have, however, heard from a couple people that they didn't love the beginning. It waxes a bit poetic and maybe idealistic at first. BUT, everyone I know that has gotten into the monthly themed chapters has found the book profoundly helpful and even life-changing...or I suppose we could say, lifegiving. :)

Sally Clarkson’s books are consistently amazing. Great for parents, full of wisdom

I just love this book by Sally and would encourage all women to read it and to 'live by' the insights that resonate, both for yourself and your family. Oh and please listen to Sally's podcast (Sally and Friends) which is inspirational, comforting and 'real'.

J'adore cette lecture, qui, après une introduction, se découpe en 12 chapitres qui correspondent aux 12 mois de l'année. Je lis ce livre doucement au fil des mois donc, et j'aime vraiment cette lecture cosy et feel good, pleine de bons conseils pour faire de son logement un vrai foyer. Le livre est de bonne qualité, facile à lire dans un anglais accessible.

One of the best books for Christian Homeschooling moms.

I really enjoyed this book. The way they write really brings you into their space and you can feel how their home would make you feel. I started implementing candlelight dinners after reading this book and we have done it every night since. The story is beautiful and I have really put more thought into how I want my home to feel and how people feel coming to my home. If you want to create a calming welcoming home I would recommend this book.