The Lifegiving Home Book Club (Week #1)
As I toured the beautiful, historic Biltmore home years ago, my imagination and vision were once again piqued by the idea of intentionally making my home a holding place for all that is beautiful, good, holy, and the foundation to life. A place where those I love always felt like they belonged, a place of freedom and grace that launched them into the persons they were made to be, a place of becoming. In the midst of demanding, constantly pressuring lives, we all need refresher courses from time to time about what we are building and why we must be intentional about doing it.
During The Lifegiving Home Book Club, you'll learn how the essence of home is not so much a structure as it is the life shared there, wherever that may be. And cultivating the life of home requires intentionality, planning, and design. We must work to craft the life, the beauty, the love, and the inspiration that overflows from that place.
An architect who desires to build a distinguished edifice must start with a vision and then translate that vision into a blueprint that documents the design and placement of the structure's foundations, boundaries, facades, and enclosures. One cannot build what has not been imagined. And one cannot bring a vision to life without a plan.
My friend, over the next few weeks, you and I are going to uncover the vision of home and how to practically apply that vision to the multiple personalities and preferences of your own unique family in our book club. No matter your life circumstances or life stages, the ages that fill your home, or where it's located, this book club is for you. I can't wait to dive into this book together.
Your Reading Assignment for Week #1
This week, you and I are going to read Part One: Thinking About Home, which includes chapters 1 through 4 (pages 3-39) in The Lifegiving Home.
More from Life With Sally
After you read this week's reading assignment, hop over to the Life With Sally Forum (button below) to join the discussion for our book club! Here is what we will be thinking, discussing, and pondering over on the forum:
The introduction says: “We want to show women (and men if they're interested) how to create a space that supports vibrant, joyful, productive living and supports growth of the body, soul, and spirit.” In your home right now, what is helping you create a vibrant, joyful, and productive home? What is your biggest roadblock?
The introduction says: “We did our best to give them roots through creating and honoring family traditions, encouraging celebration, teaching them to cherish the ways and beauty of God, and learning what we valued as a family.” What are some of your family's favorite traditions and celebrations? How do they enjoy the ways and beauty of God? It could be candles at dinner or a enjoying God's creation on a nature walk. How can you add more of that into your home?
On pages 3-6, I describe the beautiful Biltmore mansion, nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina. (CLICK HERE to see a picture of it and learn more about this gorgeous, historic home). I talk about being inspired by the immense care and thoughtfulness that went into every detail of providing a home that was a respite for all who entered. Whether it be a historical home you visited, a fictional one like the last homely house, or a beloved friend or relative, which home as inspired you in your own lifegiving journey? What did they do to make you feel welcomed, special, or cared for? How can you implement that in your own home?
On page 9, I write about how she journaled and clarified her vision for a vibrant, rich, lifegiving home and lists four bullet points that I call the “Clarkson blueprint.” Taking into account your own family's personality and preferences, what would your family blueprint be? What makes you unique and knits you together?
Other Posts in the Lifegiving Home Book Club
