In September of 2012, I moved my writing home to a new space titled Fostering Love at Home. I'd love for you to join me there!
Today we are talking about the 5th virtue included in the Being a Titus 2 Woman series. This series is based off of the book Feminine Appeal, which shares 7 virtues of a Godly wife and mother from Titus 2:3-5:
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Now we have to remember that the goal of demonstrating these virtues in our lives is so “that the word of God may not be reviled.” Also, we need to remember that we are sinners and we are going to fail at living out these virtues day in and day out. We need the grace of God and the Holy Spirit working in us and through us everyday!
Today we are talking about Working at Home. I need to start by saying that sometimes women are put in situations where they have no choice but to work outside of the home, examples may be a husband who refuses to work or is handicapped, or a divorcee trying to provide for her family, or a widower. In these situations, I want to encourage these women to embrace their role as the keeper of their home when they are able to be home.
Now, for me personally, I find this topic to be extremely freeing.
When we were first married, we both worked outside of the home. It was very stressful and messy, all the time! I personally could not handle the struggle to balance both arenas. My husband saw the struggle I had and decided to take on the role as the only provider of our house.
Since then I have experienced enormous freedom in my role as wife and keeper of our home. I am able to spend more time doing what I was created to do, being my husband’s helper (Genesis 2:18). I was able to become such a better wife, because I wasn’t being pulled in so many directions. I was able to put my full energy into managing our house, cleaning, cooking, organizing, planning, and so much more. I have been able to serve in local ministries sharing the God News.
Both my husband and I have never regretted the decision we made.
Since that time, not only have I experienced freedom in my role as wife and keeper of our home, but Michael has experienced a more defined role as husband and provider. He takes great pride in being the provider of our household and working hard for our family.
This decision has effected both of us very positively.
Another great thing this has done for us is prepared us to be parents. We already have the dynamics put in place to give our children what we want, mom at home educating and raising them, Dad providing for them.
Now, when I first started being a homemaker, I did not always get positive feedback. Here is what Carolyn has to say about that (pg. 100),
…Maybe you endure a constant barrage of advice from well-meaning relatives: “You are still young and have so much potential. You shouldn’t be wasting all your talent by staying at home. You need to go out and make something of your life.”Author Danielle Crittenden notes that “whether it’s the pleasure of being a wife or of raising children or of making a home – [these] were, until the day before yesterday, considered the most natural things in the world.”
“Scripture is clear that men are responsible to be the providers for the home (1 Timothy 5:8), while women are responsible to be the caretakers of the home. Now the Bible does not say that wives and mothers are never allowed to work outside the four walls of their houses; nor does it preclude them from receiving wages for work…but never to the neglect of their families and homes” (pg.104). This is very important to remember! We are not chained to our homes, however, they are the main arena that we are to be working in.
Women, be encouraged! God has great work for us to do! Are you willing to do it, and do it with all your might?
You can enter in the giveaway by leaving a comment below.
An area I need to work on is organization.I will make chore lists for a few weeks.It works then it seems like more work making sure everyone does their chores.So I end up doing the work. This leaves me tired and angery at everyone.which is silly since they weren't told to do anything.By Gods graceI can work on this.
juliebrantner@gmail.com
Thanks for the post and your honesty!
It is funny how it is such a normal thing to be at home yet it is seen as almost worthless now. I for one love being at home. Thank you so much for your posts they are great!!!
Hi Ashley! It's Gwen from church! I've enjoyed reading your different post–I chose to comment on this one because it is something that Chris and I don't really discuss much but is often at the back of my mind. With me starting my Master's in the fall and teaching there as well and driving a long ways sometimes I worry that I won't be able to keep up with everything at home…but it is only for two years and by God's grace I will be able to keep my priorities and focus in check even while being busy
I really enjoyed the post… thanks! One skill I'm really wanting to develop is gardening. I have a tiny little container garden on my back porch, but I would love to start providing produce for my family during the summer and learning to can and freeze and put up for the winter.
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