Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
I wrote and posted this on the old GCM board - thought it was lost forever but just found it again. :O
Our daily lives as wives and mothers is so challenging. To think that most of us dreamed of a very different lifestyle when we envisioned our SAHM roles...how little we knew! I imagined myself with a perfectly organized home, simmering scrumptious homecooked meals each evening, neatly organized and folded laundry, sparkling floors and tidy closets. What I ended up with was a high-need baby, a dh who works 70 hours a week (I feel too guilty to ask for his help), a mountain of dirty laundry that has recycled on my closet floor for about two years now, and stuff sticking to the bottom of my feet whenever I walk through the kitchen. And my house is neat compared to many others I've visited! ;) Lately I've been discovering the amazing power of prayer as a homemaker. I learned from the wise mamas on this board that my life role is now a loving ministry - I am raising a family, loving and supporting a hard working husband, and demonstrating a lifestyle to my son who will someday subconsiously seek these qualities in his mate. What do I want to convey to my family? That the floor will always need to be swept, laundry will always be there to be washed, and dishes accumulate each day. That while I do keep up with these things to the best of my ability, I do not place a higher importance on a clean home than I do on spending time with my family. After all, dirty dishes will always be here...my son will not. There are days that I do spend more time cleaning, but I have also learned that we can survive with less sparkle and shine than I used to determine necessary. My home is still a welcoming haven, but one that also says, "A family lives and loves here." :heart :grouphug :heart There is a wonderful Christian mother on the Internet named Laine who sends out a semi-regular newsletter. She has helped to change my heart-attitude as a homemaker. Because of Laine, I rise before the family several mornings each week to spend time sipping a cup of tea with the Lord and His Word. He fills me with a caring attitude and deisre to make my home a nurturing place as part of my ministry as a homemaker. I leave little love notes at place settings. I pray over each family member while folding laundry (a lesson I learned from a dear friend and pastor's wife). I thank the Lord for blessing our family with such abundance as I go from room to room cleaning. I remember those without any fresh water or basics as I scrub our toilets and appliances. The Lord will fill you with an attitude of gratitude, too, if only you ask Him. :pray Here are some of Layne's Letters that I would like to share with you, and I pray they will inspire and comfort you the way they have affected me. Wearing Aprons? http://lainesletters.com/letters/aprons.html Why I love Homemaking: http://lainesletters.com/letters/why...omemaking.html Blessed Discipline - about homemaking and more... http://lainesletters.com/letters/blesseddiscipline.html The Light in my house: http://lainesletters.com/letters/thelightinmyhouse.html Ministering to little ones: http://lainesletters.com/letters/min...ittleones.html Overwhelmed? http://lainesletters.com/letters/overwhelmed.html Wake up Time: http://lainesletters.com/letters/wakeuptime.html Well stocked pantry: http://lainesletters.com/letters/awe...kedpantry.html Willing hands: http://lainesletters.com/letters/willinghands.html Working with what you've got: http://lainesletters.com/letters/wor...hatyougot.html More Laine's Letters: http://lainesletters.com/letters.html |
Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thanks for posting this! The letters from her are very inspiring :)
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thank you for posting that again.
We all need a little encouraging every now and then. I would suggest to anyone who does not get Laine's Letters to sign up. They are irregular (you will want more than she sends out - trust me) but they are so full of wisdom and encouragement. Thaks again Kym. |
Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thanks Kym :hug I loved this on the last board :heart
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thanks Kym for posting these.
My favourite is Ministering to the Little Ones. :heart |
Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
beautiful! laines letters are always so great to read! thanks so much for sharing.....now if you would only share that piece on homeschooling you had on the old board! kym rocks! :highfive
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thanks for that :tu
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Quote:
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Those letters are just what I needed today :) :heart Thank you for sharing the inspiring wisdom. . . how I wish I had a mentor like that. :cup
I want an apron now ;) |
Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thank-you! I loved reading this. It's something I really need to work on.
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thanks! Just the encouragement I needed :tu
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thankyou so much for posting this. I'm setting my alarm early tomorrow
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
Thank you Kim.. I went to the site and read the I love Homemaking Letter. I printed it out even so I could read it whenever the mood stuck me. I've read it 3 times in one day! I now also rise earlier so I can get that morning time with God. Although I don't do the coffee or tea, I do the hot cocoa!!! YUM! I actually got more done today than I usually do when I sleep in and I had more energy! Imagine that.
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
I'm sorry I misspelled your name. I see now that it's Kym. I should pay more attention.
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Re: Finding joy in your homekeeping ministry
I loved being a sahm. I loved the minsitry of making my home a welcome haven to my family and friends. Thats why now that dh stays at home and I work, I'm having such a problem. So please ladies get up and thank God everyday for the ability to keep you home a haven to your family. :heart
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