Here's an article I wrote about 2 years ago:
Homekeeper Scriptures
Titus 2:4,5 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 26:36-40 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Perfectionism Is Not God's Intention
God has wonderful plans for us as mothers, as wives, and as women of God. Yet, we women hear the calling of God and make it into something that He didn't intend. We require of ourselves a level of perfection that we cannot acquire. This perfection eats at our husbands, at our children, at our health, at our ability to be a good friend, and at our love for the Lord.
I speak from both personal experience and observation. I am such a perfectionist. I want to be the best wife I can be, but I don't want to be stepped on. I want to give my children every advantage, spiritually, academically, physically. I want my home to be as beautiful, as well kept, as well organized as any I've ever seen. I want to be social with believers and non-believers alike, living a perfect life, that I might not be a "stumbling block" to any.
But what I miss is love. What I miss is the love Christ has extended to me - called grace. What I miss is the ability to continually reach back to Him, trusting Christ to work everything out - called faith.
Lovers of our households
Titus tells us we are to be "busy at home". In King James this is translated "keepers of our homes". I desire to be a keeper of my home. But, I want to endeavor first to never forget the beginning of that verse, "love your husbands and children". Or, as Jesus said it, "Love the Lord your God, and Love your neighbor as yourself."
Simple Changes
Rather than endeavoring to have the perfect schedule, do a perfect job with our children, follow Jesus perfectly, let's endeavor to know and love our Lord and show our love to others. Let's not neglect our homes, but let's not make them our highest priority. Rather, let our homes serve us and serve God.
I want to endeavor to make small changes that allow me to feel more on top of my day and actually give me more time with my Lord, my husband, my children, and others. One concept that has worked well for me, is simply the concept of breaking down what you need to do into small chunks. You don't have to do it just like someone else! Find what works for you.
Look at what you want to accomplish and break it down, into manageable tasks that don't seem to huge. Now, you have your list of what you need to do. Instead of concentrating on getting the whole list done, just do one task at a time as quickly as you can.
Congratulate yourself when you cross something off your list. Don't talk yourself down!
The following is an example of a one page sheet I have made for myself listing a breakdown of my regular household duties. I print one off per day and see how much I can get done in the first part of my day. If I do an item more than once in a day, I check it off twice. Don't forget to make a chore chart for your children as they become able and give them a few tasks from your list.
Kitchen
Living Room
Laundry
Food Prep
Weekly
|
Monthly
Weekly/Bi-Weekly
Homeschooling
Personal Health & Wellbeing
|
No comments:
Post a Comment