I Heart Model Homes
posted on October 22nd, 2010 / by Cristina Phillips / 36 CommentsIf you know me, then it is no secret how much I love looking at model homes. The admiration of them started long before my husband and I even became homeowners. Okay, who am I kidding? we’re all friends here right? It is more of an obsession really. Anyway, it started out when my most precious friend Cami, would come over on Mondays for lunch. She was usually toting her latest copy of our most favorite home décor magazine. We would pour coffee, and let the kids play while we drooled and gazed longingly at every page. Okay, Cami may not have drooled, but I sure did.
My favorites were when they would feature a “real person’s” home, where you got to see inside the most beautifully decorated home. Most of the time the pictures in the magazine would show kids sitting Indian style on a beautiful shaggy rug reading a book while the mom was working on something in the kitchen. Ahh … talk about heaven! Being a mom with small kids I longed so much for a place like this. As time went on my love for the latest and greatest in for decorating your home grew into much more.
I started visiting model homes. I instantly fell in love. Who wouldn’t?! It is so fun looking through those houses that are so nicely decorated. All the furniture is so big, comfy and placed just so. The color schemes are perfection. The lines in the carpet from being vacuumed add to the cleanliness of it all. All the kids’ rooms are done in trendy themes. The master bedrooms always look like something straight out of the perfect couples retreat. These houses look so warm and inviting, and it’s as though they’re begging this family of 7 to move on in! My favorite was when I found a particular home that especially resembled my floor plan. What was once on paper and seemed unattainable was now sitting in front of me. Totally touchable and totally doable.
Well, at least it felt like it until recently, when we had our fifth child. All of a sudden I started getting bogged down with the fact that my home was not looking anything at all like the model homes I was visiting frequently. Boy was I trying too. We’ve only been in this house three years (our first home) and already we have moved the furniture from room to room twenty times or more. We have tried having the boys share rooms, including the back living room. We have tried giving our eldest his own room. We even had a cousin come live with us, and she had her own room. We have painted, added furniture from all sorts of sources, re-arranged, purchased bookshelves and and made many trips to IKEA. Yet, my house still does not look like that model home! The carpets are stained, there is clutter every where, clothes are constantly in piles all over the house, and the pantry, well we won’t go there. I am constantly trying to do stuff to make the house better, and I get sad when I can’t even tell that I’ve been slaving away.
I used to cringe when I would read or hear how a house with small children will never look like a model home. Blech! It was like there is no hope. And, truth be told, when someone would go on and on about so and so’s house being perfect, she too is a mom of small children, my heart would sink. There’s no denying that once you go down that road of comparing yourself to others, you end up feeling completely defeated. I would feel like a complete failure and totally inadequate! Come on, I know it tugs at your ego a little too. We are human it is okay to admit it. I have had to pray over my longing to have a model home many a time. Even this morning, I awoke to spend some much needed quiet time with God, and as I began to look around I thought hmmm … maybe if I do this or move that things will improve. It was then I could hear the Lord saying so sweetly, “Your home is a model home. You and David haven chosen to have a house full of babies. I have blessed you with boys. You and David have been called to home school. Your home resembles one of homeschoolers and that’s okay. You have a model home but not like the ones you compare it to. Nope, you are living in a home that models parents who are laid back, love their children, don’t mind a few messes here and there, have boys who love legos, cars, dinosaurs and toys with only small parts. You have a home where you love to lounge around. A home where people are welcome and visit often because they feel at home. A true model home that bears fruit of all that I, your God, has poured into your hearts and into your children’s hearts.”
Is that not a beautiful and encouraging word?! My God heard my thoughts and saw my struggles, but instead of hearing me as the whiner/excuse-maker I am, He loves me. He encouraged me. All of a sudden my perspective changed, and is still changing. When I see a pile of laundry begging me to wash it, I think, “Thank God for clothes to wash and a machine to do them in.” Dirty dishes make me thankful for the food we have to eat. Those tiny little fingerprints all over the glass door, walls, and even the refrigerator make me smile because I know that those silly boys have been here. The toys that are strewn throughout the ENTIRE house remind me that the boys love playing in our house. The many, many shoes that line my front entryway make my heart leap with joy because that friend that’s visiting is going to stay a while. They are going to stay awhile because they feel at home. And those stained carpets … well, those still keep me frustrated, but as I said my perspective is still changing.
What I am modeling now in my home is a love for my life, my husband, my boys, and my home. I do so by being thankful for all we have. At the end of the day, it does not matter what your mommy duties include. Whether you work full-time outside the home or work at home or whether your are a stay-at-home-mom who homeschools or does not homeschool. It doesn’t even matter whether you have one child or many children. The truth is still the same. Your home should model that of a Christ-follower full of grace. The same grace that has, was and is continuously bestowed upon us. Don’t worry about whether or not your house is perfection. Spend time with the Lord and with your family. Now, I am not saying that we should stop visiting those model homes. Let’s keep going and let those visits inspire us to be frugal and orderly. However, do not let the sin of comparison enter your heart. That is a fight that you will never win. Instead remind your self of all that you are modeling in your home. Chances are its more beautiful and inviting than you realize.
Father, thank you for the place I call home. Thank you that you have blessed me with a family who loves and appreciates the work I do in our home day in and day out. Thank you for your constant provision. Bless me with a spirit of gratitude and joy. May all who enter my home see you above all things. Thank you Lord for your many blessings. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Cristina, is the lovingly devoted wife and proud mama to five boys.
She loves the Lord and is passionate about life. Things that bring a smile to her face and joy to her heart are playing with her boys, hosting play dates, making cup cake toppers and birthday banners, being an aunt, and decorating for the holidays. Her hobbies include: card making, tinkering on the piano, journaling, reading and decorating.
Thanks for posting this!!! I have 5 kids 6 1/2 years old and under, and we also homeschool!!! I do remind myself these things often, but it's so nice to hear/see that I'm not the only one!
I was struggling specifically today because we just got back from a family vacation and are trying to get things back in order!!! 
Thanks again! 
Beautiful article, Cristina! And inspirational, too….absolutely loved it!!
Great article- and so very true!
Christina, those are beautiful thoughts. We do that as women, especially in the blog world where we only see magazine worthy photos of homes and wonder why our homes don't look like that. What people can't feel is the spirit of goodness and righteousness, messy or not. That is what is the most important, that our children want to be there, more than any other place in the world. Thanks for the reminder.
I needed this so much!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Cristina, this is such a great article. I think all of us women get caught up in feeling inadequate and falling into the trap of comparison. I like the quote that basically says 20 years from now, your kids won't remember a perfect house, but they will remember the time you spent with them. Thanks for reminding us what we're modeling.
Thank you Cristina for reminding me that our love for our Lord and for our families is first and foremost, and that as long as people can see Christ in our homes, that is ALL that should matter. Great article and what a blessing!
Such a timely article on GRACE and staying away from a heart of comparison! Thank you for your transparency, my dear friend. Thank you for being honest about "the process."
Thank you for reminding me to appreciate little boys with fingerprints everywhere, and toys with tiny parts – LOL!
Your home IS always warm and welcoming, and fun! I've never noticed anything other than that.
I love you!
Thank you!! I have only two kids and there are days my house never looks like a model home!!! But I love my family. Thank you so much for posting!!!
My sweet sister! Thank you for sharing the precious word of our Lord to your heart! I absolutely relate to everything you said and you keep up with your family of 7 so gracefully and with such zest for life. I love you!!
Cristina, Great reminder that our home is so much more than great decorations and clean floors!! Love makes a house a home, no matter how clean or messy!!
Love this! Thank you for sharing your heart, speaking the truth and reminder us what really matters.
Great article! Thank you for sharing your heart Cristina.
Awesome article ! It has been a while since my babes were small and at home, but I do remember those struggles between a pristine beautiful home and a happily cluttered dwelling. Clutter won and I would not have it any other way.
Sister, what a great post from your sweet heart! I always love your writing, and this was no exception. What an encouraging word to know that all of us who struggle with comparing ourselves with others are not alone! I constantly remind myself of the same things – especially this season of kids and all their messy glory. Besides, when I've ever been to a model home I always remember having to be quiet and not touch anything…..who wants a home like that!? lol! Love you and am so proud of you!
This is the story of MY life as well. I have 5 boys also, ages 5 to 15. I love feeling uplifted by someone that understands my crazy existence and over the years I have learned to embrace that existence. I am fully aware how fast time flies and this is just a season, love it while it's here for there will be another season where you can have a beautiful dining set, fabric furniture and carpet. (leather and hardwood has created a much less stressful home front with this crazy busy family)
Such a great reminder! I too love to visit Model homes! I love my own home because it's made by me and for a lot of the same reasons you realized!
Beautiful! I can completely relate to this. Thank you for sharing.
Cristina!! I loooovvvvee model homes too!! So amazing what God shared with you!! I'll take your kind of model home any day!! YOU HAVE a model home!! How awesome is that!!! God said it, I believe it and THAT settles it!!! Fantastic story!! Thank you for sharing!! =)
Very good article!!! A great reminder to us Moms!! Thank you!
I love what the Lord spoke to you cause it is so true of you!! Thank you for sharing your story it is especially freeing since we all know what a fun mom you are, it's encouraging to know that your house isn't spotless too. I have learned that you can really only have one or the other; spotless house, or a home filled with joyful children enjoyed by mom.
Beautifully written and gives me a whole new perspective on "model" homes.
Now you are speakin' my language!!:) I LOVE looking at model homes too!! We've had this conversation a time or two!!:)
Even more I love how you expressed your heart through reminding us of what a true "model" home looks like. Modeling His love for our children and others to see is far more greater than having a "perfect" home. I will take a peaceful home over a perfect home any day!!:)
Great article Christina!!
~Maree
Thanks for sharing, what an eye opener, I love that you shared your heart with us. Love you!
Thank you for being so open and honest. Love your heart for God and love how you expressed it in this article!
Your article was wonderful! That's God for you, always so loving! And you know it was Him cause you have total peace. Love it!
Awesome article precious Christ follower!!! You have chosen the best. You are always so full of grace!!!
Girl, this was awesome! I feel the same way and it does put your heart and mind at ease to know that I am not the only one. Love you girlie!
LOVED this! I really NEEDED to hear this too and I only have two boys! Thank you for opening up and letting us into your "model home" it is beautiful!
Great article, Christina! It's so very true.
Thank you for sharing!
Crisitina! You are so precious!! I love what you wrote! I always loved being at your house! Why do you think we would eat chicken salad together so many days?:-) You are a great model of God's Love.
xoxo.
All I can say is WELL SAID! =) Glad you're sharing what God has put in your heart!
I love what you wrote Cristina. I love hearing your heart. I know that it isn't easy keeping up with your house when you have all boys, but I love that God gave you insight into how He sees your home. So beautiful.
Such a beautiful article that I know has blessed many mothers, and grandmothers. You are a beauty inside and out Cristina.
Love this Cristina. Sooooo needed to hear it this season! Thank you for sharing!!!!
I am reading this while my boys have legos, cars, puzzles and dinosaurs spead all over the house. And boy oh boy does it hit home! Thanks for offering such a great perspective. I too want my kids to feel comfortable being themselves, playing and enjoying our "home" and I too have entertained the idea of picking up and moving in order to be more organized. Truth is we can make our home happy and ours no matter what the furnitrue is or the address on the street. I loved this post today. Keeping your eye on the right ball! Thanks, R