The book Every Home a Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer was on my eldest daughter’s Christmas list, and I was intrigued. I had heard of Phylicia, and had listened to her podcast. I enjoyed her teaching on the Bible, and wanted to see how she incorporated that into a book about the home.
Every Home a Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer: Book Review
But this book is not really about incorporating the Bible into your home. Rather, Masonheimer suggests that tending the home is a part of a Christian’s regular worship. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, gardening, and making repairs are acts of worship if done with a heart directed towards Christ.
I’ve heard this idea before, but Masonheimer goes deeper, including many Scripture references as well as practical ideas for each area of homemaking. She also zeroes in on the fact that everyone who has a home is a homemaker- not just the married, the homeowners, or the stay-at-home parents. She includes singles and those who rent and/or live with roommates. In short, if you are a believer and have a home, this book is for you. It is full of practical ideas for you, the home keeper, to bless both those you live with and those whom you invite into your home.
Theology and Liturgy of Home
This book is divided in to two parts. A Theology of Home explores topics like being content with your home, creating a culture of faith within your home, and keeping a “rhythm” in your home, all done with the intent of bringing glory to God. A Liturgy of Home describes homemaking as a spiritual discipline, with practical ideas given for keeping up with home tasks so as not to become overwhelmed. Phylicia’s ideas for cooking, cleaning, laundry, tending, and decorating routines inspired me! I found myself making mental notes of things I wanted to tweak around my house and getting excited about implementing some of these ideas.
If the purpose of a home is to bring glory to God, it naturally follows that discipleship and community will exist within that home, and those are indeed common threads throughout this book. Phylicia gives guidance on how to host when you have a busy life or young children. She encourages the sharing of one’s home, giving ideas for gatherings and meals. The idea of setting boundaries to prevent burnout is also a strong point in her writing.
After reading this book, I was more inspired than ever to use my home for hospitality to those in my community. Phylicia Masonheimer presents both the theology and liturgy of home in practical terms, making Every Home a Foundation my current favorite book in its genre. If you are a believer who could use some encouragement or motivation in the area of home, you will enjoy this book.
Jenna Leigh Ashbaugh