Have you hidden it at times?
The fact that you don’t bounce checks, let laundry mold in the washer, or ask your husband to pick up pizza on his way home because you neglected to plan for dinner again?
It seems that homemaking is one of those things we Christian ladies are supposed to truly excel in, but not admit when we do. We are encouraged to do our best for the LORD, but be very humble about our constant success. No high fives for keeping the dishes done. No “woot woot’s” for consistently managing our time well. And no congratulatory pats on the back for remaining undistracted day after day.
If anything our good works are met with sighs or sarcasm.
Even in the blogsphere, posts are often more about encouraging the discouraged and teaching beginning skills. (All needed). But what about the ladies who excel in homemaking, as a general rule?
There aren’t many posts like that, simply because we focus on the failing aspects of homemaking more often than not.
Today I recognize (and applaud) the ladies that excel in homemaking. Because just as humility is a righteous quality, so too is excellence. Virtue and diligence are just as worthy an endeavor as is a lack of unbiblical pride.
Now, as to not discourage those who feel like they are in over their head, I’m going to provide a general list of what excellent homemakers do and don’t on a regular basis. If you’re thriving at home, this should encourage you to keep on. If you are struggling at home, I hope seeing what diligent homemakers do and don’t will give you a place to start.
Do you excel in homemaking? Don’t hide it. Share it! Teach it! Encourage those around you who struggle, how will they improve otherwise? This need not turn into a prideful gloating, God forbid, but as an excellent homemaker, you must continue in good works, knowing you are honoring the LORD. And you must teach the younger generation these worthy skills.
Do you feel as though your failing in homemaking? Read over the “Do” list again. Implement one each week or even each month. Create a new habit with excellence in mind.
Strive for excellence and consistency.
I identified myself with both lists! When I had my last three children within two years and my health was not well I started “failing”, you could say. But I used to be thriving in it before.
It’s been a difficult time in my life but I keep bringing my head up and trying to thrive even when I don’t think that I can. I ask for the Lord’s strength every day, just about every hour some days. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. And I do get frustrated at times. Right now, I am thankful to be alive and to be here for my children. I’m also praying for complete healing, and strength. My desire is to live to serve Him by doing what He has called me to.
Blessings to you, had missed ya!
I’m sure many of us can see ourselves in both lists at some time or other in our lives. I pray to for His strength for each of us and for our health as well. Blessings!
Like Gabrielle, I see myself in both lists! So this post was a good pat on the back but also an “ouch” better get to work on that. I have a six week old (baby #6 for us) and I have never been good about getting my babies on a nursing/sleep schedule. Do you have any advice as to how to accomplish this so that I can more readily tend to my other children and get us back into a good routine? Thanks!
Gosh, I can’t offer much advice on a nursing schedule. I nursed on demand, as they say. Looking back though, life would have been a bit more predictable had they been on a nursing/sleeping schedule.
Now, once they got to be about 6 months old, a sleep pattern had emerged and I stuck with it. Typically my babies took a morning nap, I would nap with them and the younger children in the afternoon, and baby would sleep again in the evening (usually right before dinner) …depending on their age. I could come to count on that some.
Thanks for your advice Jennifer! With each baby I am more determined to figure this whole sleep thing out but then reality hits with more little ones to take care of and I fall back to nursing on demand and just “surviving” the newborn stage. You are so right, they do naturally fall into a consistent pattern after a few months. Thanks again for the response!
As a doula I urge my clients to not expect homemaking out of themselves AT ALL for the first six weeks, and to be very realistic and gentle in their goals for the first YEAR. Looking at all traditional cultures including Old Testament Law, moms have always been told to rest– to the point of not letting their feet touch the ground in many cultures– for the period when their babies are tiny and their bodies need to recover. This is a time to have many others help you keep your house, care for your older children, etc. The best nursing advice I can offer is to learn hunger cues and tired cues and offer the breast at the first sign, make sure your latch is good, and let baby get full meals. Don’t try to force a schedule; you will settle into a flexible routine that will adapt as baby grows.
I love the verse “He shall lead His flock like a Shepherd… He **gently** leads those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40).
I recently posted on my blog about how I’m trying to grow and get to a point where I’m not a yeller. What are some of your suggestions to get pass the being aggravated with not being heard to calm enough to keep your head?
So, how to quit yelling? Like everything else, it’s a choice. How to get past being aggravated to being calm…again choice. Most moms don’t yell at their kids in front of others, even when they feel the same emotions that usually cause them to yell. Why not? Choice. Fear of what others think. So, if we can keep our cool at Walmart, why not at home?
You are so right. Today, I have not yelled at any of my children because I chose not to. I made it a point that I was not going to. I did get tested by my youngest son and had to give a punishment, but I made it! I pray that I remember to make this choice daily. Thank you for your response, and I’m glad that you writing.
That is wonderful!! I’m so happy for you!
Sure, we must not gloat but let us show our faithfulness to the Lord, He is a God of orderliness.
We all have the ability to obey the Lord, it may be more difficult for some, but we have all been given self control, if we learned to start using it more we would have time to excel at the most important work the Lord has given us here on earth.
Hello I love your posts they are an encouragement to me. I did not grow up in a Christian home or have an example like this and I thank you for your encouragement. I am a stay at home mom of 7. I ordered and watched your 101 video some time ago with my daughters and enjoyed it. I can’t seem to order the 201. Is there a way I can order that or is it no longer available. Thanks so much. God bless. Amanda.
When you say, have a routine, can you give me an example? Like what does your typical day and typical week look like? My mom was NOT tidy and it has been an uphill battle learning how to take care of the house. I work full-time, but will be staying home full-time in a few months, god-willing, and I feel like it is all I can do to keep the house from falling apart let alone having it look GOOD!!! Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but it is hard to do what you have never seen.
What is your advice for women who are struggling with health issues? I used to be so energetic and truly enjoyed housekeeping and playing with my children and now I have medical issues that cause constant pain and fatigue. I have prayed non-stop as my condition has worsened and am doing my best but sometimes I just cant do the things that I want to do and feel like a failure when I just physically can’t do the things I used to do.