A family room should be the soft place for each family member to land after a long day or when life gets tough. All who enter this area of the home should feel the loving hugs that the home gives.
There is nothing better than to come home after a day’s work or activities and settle back into your nice comfy chair. The laughter of your kids fills the room while your dog or cat curls up in front of the fireplace to nap.
“ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34
Creating A Nest To Nurture
The epicenter of where your family gathers should be inviting and warm. It’s important to create a safe place where every family member feels a sense of belonging. This room will be host to where your family values will grow and be nurtured.
Make It Personal
Displaying awards, trophies, and other items that family members have proudly accomplished will personalize the family room. It will give them a sense of ownership and inclusion. Shelves can be a great area to place family photos and framed artwork that your children have made.
Make It Christ-Centered
Place reminders of Christ being the center of your home and family by hanging scriptural art in the family room. Family devotionals are traditionally done at mealtimes at the dinner table. However, modern families are incorporating their devotional time in the family room.
Keep your Bible on an area in your family room where it is not stuffed into a shelf where it’s “out of sight, out of mind.” Encourage your family to read it. It’s great to have certain areas of scripture already identified with tabs so your family can quickly access it when they are having a bad day or have had an event that they need comfort in.
Talk about Jesus with your family as if He is a present member of your family. With kids, you can always encourage them to the “What would Jesus do…” when selecting tv shows to watch, video games to play, or how they act towards one another. This gives children a sense of accountability, not only in the family room but in every area of their life.
In Our Family We…
Are honest with one another and tell the truth.
“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
Forgive one another and don’t hold grudges.
“...who forgives. You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18
Support each other in school activities, work, prayers, good and bad times.
“...we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
Keep our promises to one another no matter how small or big the promise.
“...being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” Romans 4:21
Always love one another no matter what.
“...you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22
Make It Warm And Inviting
Have you ever entered a room in someone’s home and felt as if you had entered a cold and sterile environment? Everything was in its perfect place, the furniture was beautifully situated on designer rugs, and modern art was carefully placed on the walls. There was no presence of photos, books, or games.
A family room should be the complete opposite. It should have comfortable and soft furniture that everyone can sprawl out on with afghans to snuggle under. The floor is covered with a plush rug that squiggles between the toes of your children.
Lamps with warm lighting are situated around the room to softly light the entire room on a dark evening as the family huddles around the coffee table playing board games. There may be a few hot chocolate stains on one of the chairs, but that’s ok. And nearby is your pet’s favorite bed with a shredded blanket in it they love to sleep on.
On a Saturday morning, here you will find your kids laughing and watching cartoons as the sun pours into the windows filling the room with light and life. With fuzzy slippers on and your favorite chenille robe, you make your way into this busy room with a warm cup of coffee and quietly sit into a soft chair.
This is a true family room. It may not be completely organized, tidy, or flaunt the cold environment of such a place you may have visited. But it’s home, and here you know that every member of your family feels warm and safe. Here Christ sits with you all and shares in the good times and the bad times. It’s home.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
A Blessed Atmosphere
Your family room is perhaps one of the most important areas of your home. Here you and your family can escape the world and be yourselves.
Every person that steps into this area of your home will be able to feel as if they have stepped into the home’s warm embrace. They are welcomed into a snug and protected area where Christ awaits to share family time.