"...whether you work outside or inside the home. If we live in a home, we are a homemaker. Anything you can do to create that 'ahhh...it's good to be home' feeling is the best gift you can give to your family...we have the help of the Lord! If you haven't read it in a while, I want to encourage you to read Proverbs 31..."
I was visiting a blog the other day and I read this post from Sugar Pie Farmhouse and it was encouraging to me! My most important job as a wife and mother is to be a keeper at home! The Bible tells me so!
I have had the privilege of being able to be at home with our children, yet I have to continually be on guard to protect that time and responsibility...first! I cannot do the job well when I am off and running here, there, and everywhere! I also cannot do that job well when I continually take on this project here and this project there. I do not do it well...and my family suffers...I have learned this the hard way! I take my frustration out on them when they don't cooperate so I can do what I wanted to do! Yikes! What is my first responsibility? Why?
I was challenged to think again...Do I create that "ahhh...it's good to be home feeling" for my husband, children, and all who come in my home? Or would they rather be somewhere else?
A sobering thought! I am responsible for the welcoming atmosphere in our home...which means I would also be responsible for the unwelcoming atmosphere as well! Whether we admit it or not...the woman's contentment in her role as a keeper at home determines much in the blessing her family enjoys! I want to provide a place of peace and comfort, happiness and safety, a place where God's Word is practiced, and a place where the basic needs of life are met! The kind of car I drive to the grocery store doesn't help me do that job better...I have a car that runs reliably! I don't have to have my hair done at the "in vogue salon" because no one would see the expense while it is in a clip. I can do my own nails just as nice and cheaper than the salon. I don't need to hang out at the mall and go shopping once/twice a week for things that make us selfish and add more clutter. We don't have to indulge in every toy imaginable because it just makes us...selfish...and adds more clutter! I am really having issues with clutter and junk...it collects under beds and makes our rooms a mess...well, and catches and collects dust! (We took two bags out yesterday to Salvation Army.)
The Bible tells me that if we have food and raiment...a place to lay our head...we have all we need! And what we have is very nice and we are teaching our children to take care of what we have. It is called stewardship.
Proverbs 31 isn't a list of unattainable qualities...which is how I often view it because there are areas of weakness in my life! Rather, I should look at Proverbs 31 as a basic pattern and checklist for my daily "to do" list...How am I doing on this or that? Have I ever tried this or that...would it make my home run more smoothly? Would this or that be a blessing to my husband?
I am thankful for the tools I have to make all these jobs easier...I just have to remember to use the one that helps me most...more often..the Bible!
***I don't receive compliments very well. Never have...they make me uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the kind words and thoughts of others. But I am always very aware that any good that I do is only because God has given me the ability. I also weigh my heart attitude in each situation. Was it a joy to do such and such or was is just another chore? If my reason or motivation for doing or being is wrong...then I know full well that I do not deserve any type of compliment!
I received a beautiful hand-written letter full of compliments and praise from someone who knows me well. I am thankful for the kindness and love. It brought tears to my eyes. But it also made me very aware that God has more work to do on my heart and mind! Thank the Lord that His Word is true and faithful...and that love can be blind as well as patient!***
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