Keeping a Home

Our Hostess: Chelsie at Joyfully Living

Today's Topic: Keeping the Home

"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:4-5

Another version says "keepers at home." I looked up the root to the word keeper, which is - a guard, be "ware." The definition throughout the Bible is "caring for the house or working at home," which means: a) the watch or keeper of the house, b) keeping at home and taking care of household affairs and c) a domestic (relating to the family or household).

At the Well is a little different for me today. Since Chelsie is focusing on (b), keeping a clean and tidy home, today is one of those days when I am acutely aware that I am one of "the younger women." A day when I admit that I have much more to learn, than I have to share. My ears are open and I am ready to be trained!

I decided I would share a quick story, and then mosey on over to the other women at the well and see what wisdom they have to share with me. My story begins in January of this year, when I really felt God telling me to stop doing things that kept me away from my home and my family. As hard as that was for me to hear, I was sure it wouldn't be forever, and even my husband called it a season.

These words from the Bible about a wife of character were critical in my decision:

"She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:27-29

While many people might have given me praise for all the "capable" things I was doing, I was sure my husband and children weren't one of them. As a wise woman once said, "You can't do a hundred things well." So in an effort to get my priorities straight, I took a break from extracurricular activities.

It wasn't easy at first. Being busy was a habit I had formed. But eventually, what a difference it made in my attitude! I went from looking at making meals and doing housework as a burden, to seeing it as a way to bless my family. I began to understand that this is my responsibility, that God has given me. And because it is God-given, it is just as important as my self-given responsibilities. No, it is more important.

I'm starting to treasure time with my family. I realize this time with my girls will come to an end soon enough. At some point, they will grow and move on. This season is a wonderful one that I have been given to bless them, teach them and model what a wife of noble character looks like.

OK, now for the practical stuff. I'm on my way to learn from the other women at the well....