Omnipotent God is the source of all the true qualities that constitute home. When an individual begins to notice and use these spiritual qualities, his human home becomes dearer to him and his family and warmer to everyone who feels its touch. Even its outward appearance improves in beauty and value.

A young Christian Scientist was troubled over the amount of maintenance his house seemed to demand of him on weekends. He and his wife had completely repainted their ten-year-old hillside cottage when they had moved in two years earlier, and now he desired to devote more of his time to other projects.

One Saturday, while debating about refinishing some kitchen woodwork, he sat down to think through the whole question in the light of Christian Science. What troubled him was that material things never stay the way one would like them to; obviously they wear out. Then he realized that it is really mortal belief that is continually fading and changing. Beliefs cannot help but change since at their best they only hint the real substance of divine Mind's spiritual ideas. At their lowest they represent the complete absence or opposite of ideas.

With a thrill he saw that he really needed more original, indestructible ideas of home in place of troublesome, discouraging material concepts about home. Ultimately God's ideas contain all the substance one can be conscious of or desire. These ideas have precious durability greater than diamonds. They are stronger than steel alloy, more brilliant than the sun, fresher than a mountain stream, and more available than the air one breathes. Exquisitely beautiful and useful, they are the very elements of Mind.

As he shared these unfoldments with his wife, she eagerly took up the subject and got paper and pencil so they could list the true qualities and ideas that came to them concerning home. The list started with such concepts as protection, warmth, love, hospitality, interest, and beauty, and it grew to a page and a half. In a similar way God had told Abram, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look... for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it." ^{Gen. 13:14, 15;} Posting the list on the kitchen bulletin board, the couple began to have much fun in working with the qualities and in sharing the results.

When driving home from work, the husband sometimes pondered how he was shifting his focus to a greater awareness of the true qualities of home. It became clear that unless one is in some degree aware of joy or grace, companionship or sustenance, he will not be aware of home even if inside a splendid house. And one who is appreciating these qualities is experiencing the power of home even if he is alone in an isolated, humble cabin.

Interesting things began to occur. The couple found that they were sharing their home more easily and naturally with a wider circle of friends, including guests from overseas. Then the idea of how they could expand their cottage by building a needed two-story addition out over a steep slope began to unfold, whereas before there seemed no practical way to enlarge without blocking the scenic mountain view. With prayerful thought the project unfolded and was carried through to completion by the couple, all in their spare time.

At every step the necessary means were readily available. A civil engineer designed the hillside foundation in exchange for other services. A woman who rode to church with the couple offered the loan of a basement full of contractor's tools. Friends and neighbors helped with the concrete pouring and heavy lifting. When the Scientist was ready to start the wiring and plumbing for the new kitchen, men at his place of work volunteered the additional information he needed. The entire project was a successful adventure and proved that the true idea of home can outshine a seeming lack of time or means for care.

Later, when new opportunities required a move, they found their understanding of home was easy to share, for the qualities they prized could not be lost. The house sold within two days to the first family who looked at it. Further beautiful and expanding experiences with home and family have continued to unfold for the couple in the years since.

When Christ Jesus was asked where he dwelt, he said, "Come and see." ^{John 1:39;} Multitudes felt drawn to his heavenly hospitality, refreshment, and peace. He pointed to the spiritual nature of home in saying, "In my Father's house are many mansions." ^14:2; He taught that the only satisfactory way to build is on a spiritual foundation, for he said, "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." ^{Matt. 7:24, 25;}

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, "Mind is the architect that builds its own idea, and produces all harmony that appears." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 41;} One who approaches problems concerning home in this light finds fear and apathy being ruled out and divine Mind intelligently directing his actions. His spiritual home building will bless his neighbor and also his community in its collective demonstration of building homes, healing racial problems, elevating the moral climate, and expanding economic opportunity. As Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "The understanding, even in a degree, of the divine All-power destroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path,—the path which leads to the house built without hands 'eternal in the heavens.'" ^{Science and Health, p. 454.}