In "Other" Words...

“I am the one holding the keys to the atmosphere in our home.” Terri Maxwell, Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit

What an awesome, and sometimes, unwanted responsibility. To carry the burden of setting the tone for the day bears such weight. And such power.

I cannot investigate the “why” of this quote. I do hold the keys, and so, with faith, I accept that and now consider how I use them.

I recognize that I set the thermostat in our home. I also recognize that there have been times my family probably wished they could set the temperature “warmer”, to remove the arctic chill brought on by my hurt feelings. And I’m sure they’ve wished they could move the gauge “cooler”, to relieve the heat caused by my burning anger.

Earth's atmosphere, made up of a layer of gases surrounding it and retaining its’ gravity, is commonly known as “air”.

Would I deny my family air?

Certainly not.

But I have denied them a smile that would have started out the day just right. I’ve denied my husband the blessing of a kiss good-bye before he left for work, just because I was tired, or distracted. I’ve denied my children an encouraging look when they’ve been stymied by their schoolwork. I’ve denied myself the peace of falling into bed with a contented heart, simply because I’m unhappy with how I handled the day.

My family should not have to check their weather gear before greeting me in the morning.

“Should I get my umbrella? Looks like a storm’s brewing.”
"Should I wear my earmuffs? It's gonna be a cold one.”
“Do I need my shorts and flip flops? It’s feeling rather warm in here.”

The morning is usually the best time for an atmospheric check. But I find I would do better to check my Almanac the night before. God’s Word holds my key.

“I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.” (Hosea 11:4)

This is how I want to use my keys. I want to lead my family with kindness; the bands of love. I want to ease their yokes, and feed them all that is good, both physical food, and the meat of the Word.





The earth’s atmosphere has no cut off. It blends as easily into space as the ocean does the sky.

The area around me that can prove itself untouchable, unreachable; I want it to blend into my family’s air – and fade away.

I want them to be able to reach me.

I may be the key-keeper, but my Father knows where I keep them. And He will not let me lose them, much as I would like to. He guides me in their uses, restricts me in their abuses.

“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

May I be a wise and compassionate key-keeper. May I always be mindful of the atmosphere of my home; of my part in the air. May God in His mercy overshadow me with his grace, and when I fail, may I remember that He, in His wisdom, made me a key-keeper.

It is a gift.