The other day I was doing a Google search for homemade cleaning product recipes. Money is tight right now, and I was looking for some other ways I might save money. I came across an article that caught my attention and got me thinking and praying.
In the article, which basically was sharing some homemade recipes for cleaning products, but also was discussing developing good stewardship and the importance of a woman's role in the home. Thoughts came to my head quickly as I wondered what God was trying to show me. I have been a stay-at-home mom for twelve years.
Motherhood, in this day and age, is devalued. Last week I went with my family to the funeral home to plan my grandmother's funeral. My grandmother was an amazing woman of God. She was generous, talented, caring, loving, and intelligent. When the funeral planner was asking about who my grandmother was, all of this was pointed out. And yet, it wasn't enough. The man wanted to know what her "job" had been.
My grandmother had worked an odd assortment of jobs in her life. She had once worked in a factory. In her later years she worked at a hardware store. However, for most of her life, Grandma had been a Homemaker. She was more than just a stay-at-home-mom. She created the environment for her homes. This included many titles and jobs. She was a wonderful cook. I can still remember how awesome her meals were. I LOVED Grandma's cooking! She could sew. In fact, she once sewed dresses for my doll for Christmas presents one year. She could draw and paint. She was well-read. She was intelligent, taking her 8th grade education and getting a GED years later... without practice. She cleaned and ironed. She even did her own carpentry work, building her own cabinets, knocking out a wall, putting in a shower/tub. If she wanted to know how to do something, she would learn.
She did all of this including raising her children and serving the Lord on one income. Everyone loved to hang out at Grandma's. Hospitality was second nature to her. She had blankets and cots stashed so, if visitors came by, they could spend the night.
My house is often cluttered. We don't usually eat dinner at the dining room table because it is loaded with school books. If people drop by unannounced, I stress because I hadn't had time to straighten up the house. I am less stressed when things are tidy, but I over-schedule and overextend myself to the point where I am overwhelmed.
God started to show me that just being a stay-at-home-mom is not what he called me to do. He called me to be a Homemaker. It isn't a position of glory on Earth, but it will have rewards for me in Heaven because He called me to do it. Homeschooling is a part of that calling. So is creating a wonderful, peaceful, inviting home.
My job is not any less serious than if I worked at an office. In fact, it is more so because the impact I have is on future generations and eternity. Part of being a Homemaker is to efficiently run the household with whatever resources I have. If finances are limited, it isn't necessarily up to my husband to make "more". It is up to me to make the best of what we have. Finding homemade recipes for cleaning supplies is a great start, but only the start. As the Lord leads, I will follow, even if the lazy part of me cries out in protest.
I love when God reveals His will in the little things. It brings such delight and peace to my soul.
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
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