I’m bad at homemaking.
Not awful. Not terrible.
Just bad at it.
While I had an awesome mother who loved to keep home, somewhere between 21 and 35, I have thought that floor and toilets magically clean themselves.
I mean, who enjoys cleaning?
Sure, I love a clean house, but I don't love to clean it. In fact, I’m not from the old school, but one raised in the eighties who would rather just hire a housekeeper. It's quick, it's convenient, and gives me more time for me.
Well, it rocked my socks when I read this awesome article over at Sarah Mae’s blog Raising Homemakers.
I realized: I'm raising homemakers!
I’ve even set myself up for it. I started homeschooling, I have been delving into Titus 2, Proverbs 31, and before I began our child-rearing, homeschooling journey, I remember not too many years ago, when I absolutely loved, enjoyed, and went the extra mile in diligently taking care of my home.
But through one trial or another, raising the kids, taking on other responsibilities and what-not, I lost that love and feelin’!
Well, I thank God for putting this on my heart and giving me the encouragement needed to move forward in my calling to be a keeper of the home. I have two young daughters who need to see my stellar example of managing our home, not to get husbands, but to live out the Bible’s calling for each of them when they become of age.
As Sarah Mae shares, diligence is the key.
“She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27
With three little feet running in and out all day this summer, I have dreaded what my carpet floors will look like, or my kitchen counters.
And who wants to be the psychotic nazi yelling “Get outta this kitchen!” every five minutes.
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
With God’s help, I can avoid all extremes. I don't have to live with everything totally unorganized and unwelcoming, and I don't have to be Mad Martha.
Homemaking is an art to be learned and to be lived out of reverence for Christ and His calling for me.
It will take prayer, it will take patience, but I can do it.
Oh yes, I’ve already gotten the questions and the stares, even with what I’ve slowly tried to put into practice.
“Really? You’re home with your kids all day? I could never do that. I need time for me.”
“Just pay for a housekeeper, girl. That’s too much work.”
So many mothers resign to give up the overwhelming responsibility to be good managers of their homes, and convince themselves that this is not their gift and relinquish the opportunity to learn this biblical art.
I, too, will be far from perfect. Perfection is not the goal. Christ-likeness is the goal. My desire is to let my family to see Christ in me by taking good care of what we have and not constantly desiring the easy way out. Putting time and attentiveness into making my house a place Christ and my family are proud to call home is good.
Homemaking is not simply redecorating. It's managing our home, keeping a clean, organized, healthy (both spiritually and physically), and hospitable place for our family to live and welcome others.
I'm starting out with one room per week. Yes, you heard me - per week. It will take most of my summer, but at the end, I will be glad I put the time and effort into simplifying, organizing, and teaching my young ones why managing our home is important in God's family.
Grab a moment to stop over by Sarah Mae today and soak in the beauty of managing our homes.
“…good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” 1 Timothy 5:25
