Creating a Home that Abides in God’s Presence

There was a time in my life when I truly believed I had to do it all—and do it well—to be considered a “good” wife, mother, homemaker, and woman of God. Maybe it’s a firstborn thing, or maybe it’s just the weight of trying to live up to expectations I thought were mine to carry.

But from an early age, I developed a pattern of pushing through, taking pride in my independence, and refusing to ask for help until I absolutely had to. And when I became a wife and then a

mom—especially with three little ones under the age of four—that default way of operating only

intensified.

At first, I called it self-motivation. Later, I realized it was perfectionism wrapped in control. I had

unknowingly placed my identity in my ability to “do it all,” and homemaking became another area

where I measured my worth by what I could accomplish. When I first read about the Proverbs 31 woman, I was inspired—but also overwhelmed. She seemed to embody everything I wanted to be: capable, productive, praised, and purposeful. But the more I tried to model my life after her without relying on Him, the more frustrated and inadequate I felt. I was chasing a picture of

biblical womanhood without first abiding in the One who created her.

That’s when the Lord gently interrupted my striving. Through prayer, Scripture, and the quiet

whisper of the Holy Spirit, I began to see that I was never meant to carry the weight of my

calling on my own. He wasn’t asking me to “be her”—He was inviting me to walk with Him. And

in that invitation came the most freeing truth: I don’t need to do everything perfectly; I need to do

everything with God at the center. Abiding in Him has transformed the way I approach my

home, my motherhood, my marriage, and my mission. It’s no longer about performance—it’s

about partnership.

A Modern-Day Proverbs 31 Woman’s Perspective

As a former professional organizer, I once believed a peaceful, God-honoring home was

something that could be achieved through perfectly labeled bins, color-coded closets, and

spotless counters. But then came motherhood—real, messy, beautiful, sanctifying motherhood.

And with it, a revelation: order isn’t the absence of mess, it’s the presence of peace. 

True hospitality isn’t found in polished floors and Pinterest-worthy spaces. It’s found in hearts that are surrendered, schedules that are Spirit-led, and homes where the presence of God is welcome.

When I finally let go of the secular version of homemaking and embraced a faith-centered

approach, everything changed. I no longer organized just for appearance; I created systems for

the sake of my sanity and my family's flourishing. I learned to release the idol of perfection and

receive the peace that only Jesus can offer. This is what abiding in Him looks like: less hustle,

more holiness. Less about impressing others, and more about making space for His presence.

The modern-day Proverbs 31 woman isn’t someone who does everything on her own. She’s a

woman who depends deeply on the Lord. She embraces her limits without shame. She plans

her days prayerfully. She builds her home not just with schedules and systems—but with

surrender. She doesn’t invite people into a perfect space. She invites them into a peaceful one.

That’s what biblical hospitality really is: a reflection of Christ’s welcome in a world that’s starving

for rest and connection.

Creating a Home that Abides in God’s Presence

If you’re anything like the women I coach (or like I used to be), you might be sitting in a space

that feels anything but peaceful. The laundry’s backed up, your to-do list is miles long, your mind

is racing with mental tabs, and you’re wondering if you’ll ever feel on top of things again. Sister,

I’ve been there. And I want you to hear this clearly: you are not failing—you are being refined.

God isn’t asking you to have a perfectly tidy house. He’s inviting you to abide in His presence,

even in the undone, the imperfect, and the in-between.

In our overstimulated, overcommitted world, abiding takes intention. It’s not something that

happens by accident. It begins with surrendering our hustle and choosing rhythms that make

room for peace. It starts by recognizing that homemaking is not just a task—it’s a form of

stewardship. Your work within the home is sacred, and when done in partnership with the Lord,

it becomes fruitful—not just functional.

Let me share a few good, better, and best mindset shifts that I often encourage in my coaching:

● Good: Ask for help instead of trying to do it all alone. That’s humility—and humility is

holy.

● Better: Build routines that nourish your soul before managing your space. Start your

mornings with the Lord, not just your laundry list.

● Best: Invite the Holy Spirit into every corner of your home—from the kitchen to the

cluttered closet—and let Him guide your energy, efforts, and expectations.

True productivity and peace come when we stop trying to perform and start learning to partner

with God. Even if nothing around you looks perfect, you can still abide in Him. That’s the

beautiful upside-down way of the Kingdom. Jesus isn’t impressed by spotless counters. He’s

moved by a surrendered heart.

The Sacred Invitation to Abide

“Come away with Me...” It’s not just a poetic phrase or a seasonal theme. It’s a holy invitation

from a loving Father who knows that in our fast-paced, overcommitted lives, what we need most

isn’t more time, more hacks, or more help—it’s more of Him.

Abiding in the Lord doesn’t require a retreat or a perfectly quiet morning. It simply requires a

heart that is willing to pause, surrender, and dwell. Right here. Right now. In the middle of

dishes, distractions, and daily demands, Jesus is saying, “Come away with Me, and I will give

you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

So, what if the most powerful thing you could do for your home this season isn’t buying new

storage bins or finally organizing the garage? What if it’s inviting the Lord into the chaos and

letting Him calm the storm within you? That’s the kind of abiding that changes everything—not

just how your home looks, but how your heart feels inside of it.

Friend, the world may praise the woman who does it all. But heaven celebrates the woman who

chooses to do it all with God at the center. That’s where the peace is. That’s where the purpose

lives. And that’s where you’ll find your true strength—not in striving, but in staying close to the

Vine.

A Prayer for the Abiding Homemaker

Lord, I surrender my home, my habits, and my heart to You. Help me release perfection and

cling to Your presence. Remind me that I don’t have to do this on my own. You are my Helper,

my Strength, my Peace. Teach me to abide in You daily—so that my home may reflect Your

grace, and my life may bear fruit that brings You glory. Amen.

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About the Author: Crystal Tharp is a Home Organization & Productivity expert, helping busy Christian women to go from feeling stressed out, embarrassed and overwhelmed by their disorganized home, to experiencing more peace, confidence, and balance, through habits, routines and systems that create the organized home and productive lifestyle that she desires.

https://www.theorghome.com/