I Live In A Miserable Place

Two years ago Forbes magazine dubbed my hometown among one of "America's Fastest-Dying Cities"(many of our steel mills have closed leaving people jobless). This year we ranked 9th among the magazine's "Most Miserable Cities" in America. Our closest city to the north is Cleveland, Ohio who was voted NUMBER ONE as the most miserable city! This is not a list you want to be ranked on!


How did we get to 9th place? The newspaper says, crummy weather, high unemployment, high rates of violence and crime, problems within the education systems, corruption with public officials and poor sports teams (while we boast of having the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in our town, our pro-football team - The Cleveland Browns - haven't had a winning streak in decades!)


The newspaper says I live in a miserable place! But I beg to differ! No matter where my home is - a hut in Africa, a city studio apartment or a ranch in Texas - God, the giver of joy is there! My joy is not dictated by weather or public officials but by my hope in Jesus!

I'm in agreement with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home!".


One of my favorite blogs to read regularly is A Wise Woman Builds Her Home. I found this quote there:

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

Do you sometimes feel like your home is a miserable place? You have the power to turn it around. The woman influences the entire tone of the home. We all know the saying "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

Hold your tongue. Build your family up with your words. Create memories and special moments by adding special touches like lighting a candle or baking a cake for no reason at all. Work hard to create a joyful haven, a peaceful rest, and a place of growth for your family. Do your best! Be creative and glorify the King of Kings as you manage your home. Our homes are a form of worship.

Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."


Walk with the King!