There are many hymns that I have loved throughout my life that have lifted, inspired and encouraged me in all of the milestones I have made it to. I can go back in my mind and recall special days and occasions that I associate hymns with and just the sound of those beautiful tunes in my mind make me feel like I am there again. This music can be very powerful.
One of my favorite hymns is Love at Home, words and music by John Hugh McNaughton, 1829-1891. This song perfectly describes how I feel about my home and the homes that I have lived in. If there is love at home, all is right with our world and we feel like we can face another day or another challenge.
When my children were younger, I worried about the world they were growing up in and never imagined that things would be as they are now and I am so grateful that they have all made it this far. I still worry about each one of them, their spouses, their children and all the people that they come into contact with each day. For me and most mother's, that worry and concern will never end - no matter how old they are and expressing and teaching love at home helps to instill that defense that they will need when they leave home. Unfortunately, they do leave home at one point and we want them to be ready!
The first verse describes the feelings of home when love abounds. We would all love to say that there are only good and happy feelings in our homes but that would not necessarily be the complete truth. I have 9 siblings so I know a thing or two about getting along with others at home - I have experience in this field. I believe though that we had more good times than we did bad times and that is because we had love in our home, love was expressed to us and we shared love with those who came into our home. As long as we are always striving to build homes of love and concern for each other, we are moving in the right direction.
When my children were younger, I worried about the world they were growing up in and never imagined that things would be as they are now and I am so grateful that they have all made it this far. I still worry about each one of them, their spouses, their children and all the people that they come into contact with each day. For me and most mother's, that worry and concern will never end - no matter how old they are and expressing and teaching love at home helps to instill that defense that they will need when they leave home. Unfortunately, they do leave home at one point and we want them to be ready!
The first verse describes the feelings of home when love abounds. We would all love to say that there are only good and happy feelings in our homes but that would not necessarily be the complete truth. I have 9 siblings so I know a thing or two about getting along with others at home - I have experience in this field. I believe though that we had more good times than we did bad times and that is because we had love in our home, love was expressed to us and we shared love with those who came into our home. As long as we are always striving to build homes of love and concern for each other, we are moving in the right direction.
The second verse talks about hate and envy and the fact is that we should work hard at keeping these things out of our homes. Our goal is to not literally have "roses bloom beneath our feet," but to have the ability to feel good and happy about where we are and what we are doing - if not, a spirit of love and goodness will not abide in our homes. We also want our children to learn these principles early because we want them to have the same love in their own homes when they have families of their own.
The third verse describes how God is pleased when we are expressing love and sharing love with one another and He resides with us when we do. Home is a haven for family members to go and this hymn lists all the beauties of home life and the love that can and should exist there. There are always going to be rough days but it is how we deal with those days and the problems that face us that reflect the people we are.
There is beauty all around
When there's love at home;
There is joy in ev'ry sound
When there's love at home.
Peace and plenty here abide,
Smiling sweet on ev'ry side.
Time doth softly, sweetly glide
When there's love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Time doth softly, sweetly glide
When there's love at home.
In the cottage there is joy
When there's love at home;
Hate and envy ne'er annoy
When there's love at home.
Roses bloom beneath our feet;
All the earth's a garden sweet,
Making life a bliss complete
When there's love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Making life a bliss complete
When there's love at home.
Kindly heaven smiles above
When there's love at home;
All the world is filled with love
When there's love at home.
Sweeter sings the brooklet by;
Brighter beams the azure sky.
Oh, there's One who smiles on high
When there's love at home.
Love at home, love at home;
Oh, there's One who smiles on high
When there's love at home.
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