Dedicating our Home

David Weekley Homes offers a neat service for new homeowners – Home Dedication. I hadn’t known about it until I worked a long weekend in the model and while standing by the door, looking out the window and willing someone, anyone, to come visit the model during a lull in the afternoon I noticed a plaque about the model home’s dedication. We were sure to set it up. We worked with the David Weekley Chaplain, Sue and she created a wonderful, memorable and meaningful dedication for our new home.

A month after we closed, on a rainy morning, we prepared for our first real houseguests. We’d invited Holly our sales consultant, Chris our builder (and his children), and of course, the chaplain, Sue. The house was clean and we made a run for donuts. As everyone came in from the rain, we moved room to room dedicating the house and then enjoyed donuts and the company of our friends.

It was really special to be surrounded by the people who made our house happen. Chris’ attention to detail and care for quality that built us a strong, solid house to call home. Holly who listened, held our hands through the process, our biggest cheerleader and source of sunshine during our move.

Our Home Dedication

Christy and Loran, you are to be commended for you decision to dedicate your home to the Lord. The blessing we ask of Him today is strong evidence of your faith, trust and dependence on Him to be the Lord of your lives and the Lord of your home.

Scripture:

We begin with two passages of scripture for this occasion, of dedicating your home to God, and asking Him to bless you.

Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” [we actually inscribed this by our front door before our drywall went up!]

John 14:23 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.”

Opening Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for this day which you have made and for this house which you have provided. Help the wonderful family of faith, the Gutt family, to rejoice and be glad in you provision. Please give us your presence and your blessing as we dedicate this house to be a home that honors you.

Jesus, please lead this family as they go out of this place and as they come in, and shepherd them. May others see you reflected in their lives as you lead them on paths of righteousness for the sake of your name. Lord as Isaiah 61:10 says, may they delight greatly in you, and may their soul rejoice in you!

May your unconditional love and grace flow into their lives and through them to one another. Would you bless their times with harmony, as your word says in Psalm 133:

“1 It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace. 2 It is as beautiful as olive oil poured on Aaron’s head and running down his beard and the collar of his robe. 3 It is like the dew from Mount Hermon, falling on Zion’s mountains, where the LORD has promised to bless his people with life forevermore.”

Family Room Prayer:

We come into the living area, Lord asking you to make this room one of true friendship, where family and friends feel welcome. May those who enter this living area experience the warmth and greeting of friendship, and awareness of you presence here, the Living Lord, in this family room.

Dining Room Prayer:

Here where nutritional needs are met and times of togetherness, Lord please meet the physical, relational, and spiritual needs of those who gather here. May they be mindful of giving thanks to you and asking you blessing upon these meals. May they daily yield to your Spirit who will lead and bless their lives.

Kitchen Prayer:

In this kitchen, a gathering room of the family, and where meals are prepared and served, Father, may this area truly be a place of service, and may every aspect of the food be combined as a blessing in every way for all to enjoy. You’ve taught us that when we care for those who are hungry, and thirsty, we do in unto you. (Matthew 25:37-40)

Office/Study Prayer:

Lord, in this room may there be times of prayerful decision making, acknowledging and honoring you as the source of all provision. Please enable the Gutt family to have the resources needed to meet all of their obligations, to also prosper and to be faithful stewards of your provision. May one of the activities in this room be the study of your Word. May they look to your Word as the lamp for their feet and the light for their path. In the days ahead may there be spiritual growth for every family member.

Still very much in progress, hence the distance shot!

Game Room Prayer:

Dear Lord, please bless this room with times of fun, laughter and play and this family with many good times, as they grow in love for you and for one another. Your word says, “Laughter does us good like a medicine.” May the Gutt family always have time to laugh and play together, as well as pray together, to enjoy each other and have you directing their paths.

Bedroom Prayers:

Lord, thank you for these rooms designed for rest. Even Jesus, our Lord had the need for rest during his purposeful journey on earth. We too, need rest from busy schedules. Lord, thank you for your example to us every day of your life on earth. Help us to find purpose in times of rest and sleep and please refresh us that our days may count for you. Let these restful times be filled with the peace that only you can give. May every room be considered the Master room because you are ever present. Thank you for the words of Jesus saying, Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Ella and Lily’s Room Prayer:

Lord thank you for blessing Christy and Loran with their two daughters Ella and Lily! Thank you also for how we see in your word that you blessed the children and welcomed them into your presence. Children are a true gift and blessing from your hand.

Proverbs 4 says, “3 For I too was a (child) to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.’”

Thank you that you have given Ella and Lily parents who desire to teach and train them up in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it. Please also bless Ella and Lily with wise and Godly companions and mentors in addition to their parents’ instruction. May Ella and Lily desire your wisdom and recognize the high priority of getting it.

Both girls insist on sleeping against the pink wall, hence the arrangement.

Christy and Loran, we’ve completed a tour of your home, asking God’s blessing and presence throughout. He has already blessed you in providing this beautiful place to live. I ask you to consider handing the deed of the property over to God in your mind. Also I ask, do you acknowledge Him as Lord of your lives and of this home; do you surrender your lives to Him and desire Him to lead and direct your path?

Concluding Prayer:

Lord, Psalm 127:1 says “Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain.” And Proverbs 24:3-4 says “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established and by knowledge the rooms are filled with precious riches.” Thank you Lord for giving to Christy and Loran everything they need to live and serve you in their new house, that it may truly be a home that honors you. May they seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, that their lives will be filled with the true, precious riches.

Father God, we are your workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus to do good things you prepared in advance for us. Help us follow you in those good things and thank you that we are never alone!

- Sue Vaughn and the David Weekley Homes Chaplain Care Program

 

In things that are filed under ‘age appropriate humor’, Ella and Lily wanted to pray for the bathrooms. Complete with giant smiles and suppressed giggles.