My journey to becoming a homemaker wasn’t something I came to all that naturally.
I sat on our bed crying as I brushed out my hair.
“I just feel so useless.”
My husband leaned in for a hug and patted my back. He told me that he needed me here to run the home so that he could be out working. His ideals were encouraging. We always knew I was going to transition to being at home full time, but that didn’t make the transition any less frustrating.
When I began college, I had a vision of how my life would go. I would graduate, get my dream job, find the love of my life, and begin a family. Little did I know, God had a much different plan for us. When an opportunity for me to begin working from home presented itself much sooner than we anticipated, we jumped on it. And I knew that working from home was going to be much better for our family. I was working weekends, coming home mentally and spiritually exhausted because of the sorrow and strain I saw saturating our world.
But there I was. Crying on our bed because I felt the primary way I could contribute to my family was financially.
God’s Design for the Home
For almost six months, I believed the lie that my worth was monetary. That’s when I began really digging in and reading about God’s intentions for a woman and her home. When I took the time to figure out what His plan for our home was, it made it that much easier to check my heart and begin looking for work outside the home that didn’t compromise His will for our lives.
What is a Homemaker?
Titus 2 is probably the most well-known chapter regarding homemaking, because in some translations it literally uses the word “homemaker.”
“4. that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5. to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
The word “homemaker” in the Greek is sometimes translated “keeper at home.” It comes from the Greek “a house” and “a guard.” Literally, it means keeping at home and taking care of household affairs, a domestic. The word “discreet” in the same passage is associated with “curbing ones’ desires and impulses,” (Blue Letter Bible). Why does Paul tell Titus older women need to admonish the younger women to do these things? So “the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Wow! When we look at homemaking in this light – that we are guardians of our homes – and realize that our care directly reflects what God expects of us as Christians, it makes doing things like folding towels and running the dishwasher not only fulfilling, but a key part in our work in the Kingdom.
Another prominent passage related to homemaking is Proverbs 31:10-31. I’m drawn to verse 26.
“26. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
I relied on my Bachelor’s degree, awards and professional experience but found myself staring at the wall wondering why I can’t find fulfilling work outside the home. In reality, I can apply all of what I know – my wisdom – in my work at home. Blue Letter Bible says the wisdom here is associated with skill and prudence in war, administration, and even religious and ethical affairs.
When I read this, I begin thinking about all of the skills I developed while I was working professionally. Time management, budgeting, working with others, managing multiple facets of a project, intentionally and professionally dealing with conflict. All the tools and skills I needed on the job are influencing my every day work in my home.
Applying Professional Skills to Homemaking
As a homemaker, I wear several different hats. I’m a receptionist that makes appointments to the doctor, dentist, vet and more. I’m an accountant, chef, laundress, housekeeper, sounding board, and project manager, just to name a few.
Now, I apply my communication skills when I’m running errands so I can share the Gospel. I apply my organizational skills when I’m teaching my kids about the Bible. I apply my critical thinking skills when budgeting or anticipating what my family will need.
A Renewed Look at Working Outside the Home
When I began looking at my home as my mission field instead of my workplace, my outlook changed drastically. My worth, as a child of God, comes from my service to God first, not the service to my home. My contribution to my home comes from my calling as a wife, not how much money I make.
Work Outside the Home
I can’t find anything in Scripture that prohibits a woman from working outside the home to make a living or contribute to her home. However, God’s will must come before all other interests, pursuits, and ideals.
The world is trying to convince women that it’s a necessity to work outside the home. That you’re worth so much more than a life of changing diapers, shuffling children around and cooking meals.
Let me be clear when I say this: if my degree, awards and professional work bring me a life of self-fulfillment and success, I want absolutely nothing to do with any of it. Our all-knowing heavenly Father has a plan for my life and man-made ideas of success pale in comparison. I will gladly give be a homemaker if it means I’m creating a haven where the Lord rules.
Stick around!
Do you want to read more homemaking inspiration? Visit my Homemaking tab! Are you looking for that extra dose of spiritual encouragement? Visit my Hope tab!
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