Yesterday we discussed self-control and purity of our minds, conversations, hearts, eyes, and ears...
Today, we will be discussing being makers of a home where God is honored.
I've had this discussion many times before-- we live in a day and age where most families need two incomes. Women do not always have the opportunity to stay at home with their children- they are forced to decide between paying the bills and caring for their family 24/7. Paul wrote Titus 2 not to make women feel bad for making the decision to work outside of the home- He wrote Titus 2 to encourage us to be mindful of our home and our family regardless of what is taking place in the outside world. They are our first priority-- we are called to love them and care for them in every way that we can.
I've also ran in to ladies who say 'I'm just a stay at home Mom' ---- but please know how PRECIOUS this is to Jesus Christ! You are caring for your most prized possessions-- the people God trusted you with. He gave you your husband to love and take care of-- He gave you those babies because He knew there was no one better for that job! And He gave you that beautiful home because He knew that you could keep it God-centered, organized, and happy!
Colossians 3:17 states, " Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father." (Voice)
Whatever we do-- whether it is being a homemaker or a lawyer or a waitress-- whatever we do, we are asked to do it all in the name of Jesus Christ. We are called to take pride in our work- to do it diligently and honestly.
Pinterest has a plethora of information-- and blogs! One of my favorite blogs discusses the ministry of homemaking. It truly opened my eyes to the calling of Jesus Christ and how God designed us to be the caretakers of our family. It may seem like a large burden at times, but I beg you to pray to Jesus and ask Him to shift your mindset from the burden you sometimes may feel to the BLESSING that you are to your family. He trusted YOU. He didn't want anyone else in your position. He knew You could handle this- He knew you could do this. And He has called us to honor Him in every word, action, and activity.
I have struggled with this so many times. Some days I felt like the burden of motherhood is too much for me to bare. I would snap instantly- have a horrible temper- spew words of aggravation from my mouth- think about how much my family owes me for what I do- make them feel guilty for all that I *HAD* to do that day....
And God would convict me over and over.
I didn't call you to be spiteful, bitter, aggressive, rude, overbearing, or arrogant. I called you to love with all your heart- I called you to be caring- I called you to be gentle- I called you to be loving- I called you to create a peaceful environment for your family.
In this blog 'The Ministry of Homemaking,' the author writes:
"Homemaking is so much more than cleaning a house, cooking food, and making sure your family has clothes to wear. Homemaking is about nurturing a spirit of warmth, comfort, and love in your home."
Homemaking is so much more than vacuumed floors and clean dishes-- homemaking is about creating a home, an environment that is conducive for God to be present.. for Him to operate.. for Him to spread His love.
Cleaning is a Ministry
One of the first things women think of when they think about being a homemaker is- a clean home.
Bree from 'Faithfully Committed' wrote a blog about The Ministry of Homemaking as well. In this blog she wrote:
"As I got older, I slowly began to realize that there is a connection between chaos in the home and chaos in the family. It’s really difficult to relax and feel content when everything around you is a mess. But something still seemed to be missing in my understanding of homemaking."
We have the ability to affect our entire household just by the nature of our homes. Think about how you feel when your house is a mess--- you probably feel stressed, like you cannot relax. Think about how you feel when your entire house is clean- you feel calm, your house feels at peace. I know the mornings when my husband's laundry is completely caught up, the house is clean, dishes are done-- our mornings run a lot smoother and peace flows through the home. When things are behind, rushing occurs which leads to emotions running wild.
We want our homes to be an oasis for our family. We want our husbands to crave being there with us-- we want him to find peace and solitude when he walks through the door. Of course, the kids may be crying when he comes home, you may be behind on dinner because of the needs of your children, but for the most part--- we want our husband to come home to a house that he can relax in and unwind from a long day. If the wife works outside of the home, I am sure you want the same when you come home. This is why it is a priority for us to care for our homes in every sense of the word. Cleaning is a ministry- taking care of our homes is a ministry to Jesus Christ.
Caring for our Family is a Ministry
Bree continues to write, "Homemaking is about creating a peaceful, loving, Christ-centered environment where your family can come to get away from the everyday pressures and stresses of this world."
Even if our house is clean, that doesn't mean there is a peaceful, loving, Christ-centered atmosphere for our family.
It is not only our beautiful responsibility to care for the home (cleaning, laundry, dishes) but it is also our responsibility to pray for the members of our family, plead the blood over their lives, usher the presence of God in every single morning. Mommas- our prayers are powerful! They have the ability to cover our family. We must remember our PRECIOUS and IMPORTANT we are to God Almighty! He called us to care for the souls of our family. To be an example. To be praying for our husbands, our children... before their feet hit the floor in the morning.
We can do this by playing worship music in the morning, praying at the kitchen table, reading the Word of God on the porch swing... we are the catalyst for a positive, encouraging day for our family. We cannot forget our role. We are CALLED-- not burdened. We are NEEDED-- not forgotten. We are BLESSED- not overwhelmed.
Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives], But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles]." (AMP)
Proverbs 14:1- "A wise woman ·strengthens her family [builds her house], but a foolish woman ·destroys hers by what she does [tears hers down with her own hands]." (EXB)
A wise woman STRENGTHENS her family. A wise woman BUILDS her house. A wise woman ESTABLISHES a foundation of GODLINESS.
A foolish woman TEARS it down. A foolish woman DESTROYS her home. A foolish woman IGNORES godliness.
Jesus, help us to be wise women today! Help us to remember our worth! You have called us to care for our family-- you have called us to create a clean, peaceful atmosphere for our husbands and our children. We are BLESSED today, Jesus--- You have not burdened us-- you have CALLED us to a ministry that pleases You. We have the ability to be examples to our family. We have the opportunity to raise them in godly principles-- teaching them how to love You and honor You! Help us to never forget our calling. We love You lamb of God.
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