As women, the first thing we want to do as we start over is to build our nest again. Your nest may be a house, an apartment, a patio home, a condo, or a trailer. It doesn’t matter what kind of nest you have; the important thing is that you make that nest a home. We have to start with quality “nest-building materials” to give our home a firm foundation. There are four things I want to pass on to you about the nest-building process.

One: Practice The Fruits Of The Spirit
The materials to use in building your nest are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, (and) self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

All these materials will become part of the fiber of your nest, as a result of knowing and loving Jesus Christ. They are the inner qualities that you practice, not preach, in your home. It is who you are, rather than what you can do. As a woman, you have an enormous amount of influence in your home. You are the pivotal point. You are the catalyst for what happens there. As you weave the essence of who you are into your nest, your attitudes and actions will spill over to affect your husband and children.

Two: Your Home Is A Reflection Of Who You Are
The place you live is an extension of yourself, the essence of who you are. It reveals your identity. Whether your nest is a mansion or a trailer, invest the time it takes to make it a warm and inviting haven.

Three: Your Home Makes A Lasting Imprint
Even if you are in your nest for only a few weeks, months, or just a year before moving on, make the effort to settle in and make it a home for your family. You will never regret the effort. It’s important for family members to walk in the front door and feel as if they’ve come home. The imprint of a home today will make a lasting impression for tomorrow in the lives of all who live in and visit your home.

Four: Allow Your Home To Reflect Christ
No matter how disorganized and temporary you may feel, your family looks to you to provide their daily needs of security, encouragement, and nurturing love. What is the condition of your nest? Is there order or confusion? Your home will be “ordered by God” if you put your trust in Him, place your security in Him, depend on Him to meet your needs, and base your values on His word. It all goes back to being Christ-centered in your life and in your home. When you are, you will then be equipped to feed your family with biblical truths and provide the spiritual tools they need for growth.

God's Part Is To Mend, Mold and Mature
God is not a God of confusion. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. With order, comes peace and this will create a firm and loving foundation for your new home.

Encouragement for the single woman
I am sensitive to the particular circumstances of many of my moving friends. First of all, my heart is heavy when I realize that an overwhelming number of you are single parents who have carried all the responsibilities for your home, even when moving. Moving is a physical and emotional strain on anyone, let alone someone who is trying to do it solo.

Single Parent
Perhaps you’re a single mother who has thought after completing the move, “I don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to build a nest.” Please remember, your children need to experience, on a daily basis, the nest-building qualities of love, acceptance, security, affirmation, and accountability. They need to see that your life is centered on Christ and not your circumstances. They need to know they are not alone and that they can make the transition to this new home. God will help them and He will help you, too!

Single Mover
If you are a single person with no children and are making a move, let me remind you that you, too, are not alone. Christ can and will fill your home and your heart with a peace and a fullness that come only from a relationship with Him. When you are settling in, build your nest bright and beautiful. Make a safe home for yourself. Make it a place where you can welcome new friends.

Excerpted from After the Boxes Are Unpacked by Susan Miller