The Wife's Domain
"A godly wife is organized and works hard to operate her home with the least possible chaos. She also creates an optimistic, joyful atmosphere for her family." These were the two different themes laid out in this chapter.
I work part-time from my home so that my husband has the flexibility to participate in raising our children. Some days I wish my "only" responsibility was maintaining our home and being with the girls, but most of the time I am thankful for the arrangement we have. However, it has caused me to be ever searching for the right balance of time and energies between my husband, the kids, my home and work.
"A wife can learn to be a hard worker by 'doing her work heartily as unto the Lord'" Colossians 3:23.
Earlier this year God started dealing with me about getting more organized and deliberate with meals and housework. Through prayer and research I've been slowing setting up a system that has been better for the way things run around here and for my peace of mind.
"She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27
We all know that the "woman of the house" nearly always sets the tone for the home. "The 'tone' God wants her to set is one of joy, optimism and delight in the Lord and in her family." However, "she easily robs everyone else of joy and like the yeast in the bread she bakes, her ungodly attitudes spread to everyone else." When I read this, I thought of many times when Shaun has noticed that my smile has been missing.
"If you find yourself struggling emotionally with self-pity, not being appreciated , or being used by your family, become aware of your thoughts" and replace them! I am selfish and these thoughts come more often than I like. Is that what I want spreading to my family? To my hard-working husband? To my care-free and happy kids?
When I found out our second child was a girl, the knowledge that these two would be watching me and modeling after what I do really hit me hard. I want them to remember that I delighted in my family and enjoyed the role of keeper of my home. I want my family to know, daily, that I take joy in them and in our home.
Realizing that the atmosphere in our home is created by my attitudes has challenged me to work on a habit of happiness. I love my role of wife and mother and am so thankful that God has put me right where I am.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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So much of what we do, if we want to do it well, is going to be based on an organized system and self-discipline. I've started and quit a couple of "systems" and figured out what works best for us. I still need to be reminded, though, that it takes hard work and diligence. I especially need to be reminded sometimes to just put a smile on my face -- that usually helps in more ways than one! Thanks for sharing what you got out of this chapter.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa, I know this is greatly delayed, but I did not want to forfeit reading and responding to this chapter because I was not feeling well...
ReplyDeleteBeing a keeper of our home is so much more then cooking and cleaning; we are to bless our husbands and children all by God's grace, with joy and gladness. Thanks again for your post. Linda