Godly Homemaking

Preface:
In recent weeks my attention has been drawn to the need for teaching young woman about godly homemaking. We have seen a serious deterioration of knowledge among young mothers of what homemaking is all about. They have become victims of the feminist philosophy where in order to be important one must compete with males, that being stuck in a house with children is demeaning intellectually, that she is not using her abilities constructively.

In time to come, I plan to post insights based on the WORD and will invite your comments. After establishing a Biblical basis I plan move into the practical. Opinions, practical insights will be shared with which some may disagree. This is OK. I have been wrong before and unfortunately have not lost that ability yet! and if I am wrong please advise. In any case, I suggest we use a quiet, meek spirit as we share on this important matter.

ginnyrose
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INTRODUCTION:

For the record, I am old according to some, especially my children and grandchildren. I beg to differ, of course, but that is beside the point. The reality is I was born in 1947...so, maybe they are right? My husband and I have been married for forty-six years, had five children - four sons and one daughter. A picture of us can be seen the cover of my FB page.

As I considered this topic of godly homemaking my mind was drawn to Titus 2:3-5:

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 [to be] sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

The older women are to be:
1. Reverent in their behavior
2. Not malicious gossips
3. Enslaved to much wine
4. Teaching what is good

(These qualities are to be in place so they can:
1. Encourage the younger women

They are to teach the younger women to:
1. Love their husbands
2. Love their children
3. To be sensible
4. To be pure
5. To be workers at home.
6. To be kind.
7. To be subject to their own husbands

SO that the Word of God be not dishonored.

This is sobering - how we do homemaking can and will impact our testimony in this world. This is a ministry God has entrusted to us women and it cannot be delegated to the men, it is ours. How do we do it?

We live in a perilous times, not unlike the era in which Titus was written by Paul. Titus was in Crete ministering to the people. The locals had this reputation: "One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith." Titus 1:12-13. Hmmm...makes one think he is talking about moderns in 2013! This does prove that human nature has not changed in the years since then.

This is all for now - will be back later, Lord willing.

ginnyrose

I look forward to reading what you have to say. I never had someone mentor me in this area and I learned what I know mostly through experience and through my growth in Christ, which I know created pain in my home when I did not do things God's way. I pray that many young (and not so young) ladies will benefit from this. I know I will.

God bless you ginnyrose. You have often been an encouragement to me.

Ginnyrose

I look forward to reading and discussing this topic with you. Standing firm in what you believe the LORD has for you and your family is not very popular among the feminists or the world(big surprise) but the reward of carry for and be with my family and husband has always been such a blessing to me.

Thanks for taking the time to share these things with us as the LORD gives you leading.

God bless
maryjane

QUOTE:
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which I know created pain in my home when I did not do things God's way.
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Natalie, I would guess most parents can relate at some level with this statement. I do not know of any parent that has not offended their child[ren] at one time or another.

It is within the context of the home with children, parents in which one learns to exercise forgiveness. All of us at some level reacted according to our flesh and caused hurt, anger. If these situations are not addressed, they can fester, grow into family feuds which can be passed on for generations.

The best thing a parent can do when you know you have been the cause of pain, hurt, anger is to simply confess your sin to the object of your sin and ask for forgiveness. Many adults fear doing so thinking it will undermine their authority. Not so unless the child is an adult and has learned to love to nurse that grudge where he/she gets some degree of satisfaction from it. In any case, apologizing is still the best thing to do. It many be a humbling experience but never did hear that it killed anybody except perhaps their ego and that is fine.

Titus 3:1-8 has some insightful, encouraging words to say to this issue:

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Be encouraged, Natalie. Parenting is a learning process. Remember also that Adam and Eve had a perfect parent and his two rebelled. So, what did God do that provoked that rebellion?

We need God, our children need God and that is the best thing a parent can teach their children.

Glad to see this thread. would like to share a poem to encourage mothers:

"Dear Lord, I do not ask
That Thou should'st give me some high work of Thine,
Some noble calling, or some wondrous task;
Give me a little hand to hold in mine,
Give me a little child to point the way
Over the strange, sweet path that leads to Thee;
Give me a little voice to teach to pray,
Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.
The only crown I ask, dear Lord to wear
Is this : that I may teach a little child.
I do not ask that I may ever stand
Among the wise, the worthy, or the great;
I only ask that softly, hand in hand,
A child and I may enter at the gate"

- (Author unknown)

taken from "God made mothers" by Annie Poonen

Looking forward to this. We do need to base every area of our lives according to the word of God.

God bless.

looking forward to this thread as well

rdg

Before I go any further with this topic, I think it essential one look at the origins of homemaking. Unless it is understood one is left to think that a woman's task at homemaking has been imposed upon her by some masochistic males bent on enslaving their women. It is impossible for one to discuss this in depth with a few words, but let us take a look and perhaps it will get us to think more deeply on the origins of our responsibility. Having a good understanding of this will go a long way in us helping to fulfill the tasks set before us by the LORD.

The concept of the home comes from the mind of the Triune God when he said:

Gen. 1:26 "let us make man in our image according to Our likeness..." and

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

28 God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it;

We are made in the image of God. Men, too. Think about that. God made two people, different, but people who will compliment each other. Each has the ability to do what the other cannot, whether it be physical, mental or whatever. The woman is made to be a help suitable for her husband. She is to assist him in whatever he needs using the gifts, talents, strengths God gave her.

Males work at providing, females at nurturing. This is well understood when we consider reproduction. Together they work at replenishing the earth, the father providing the sustenance for the people under his care.The wife/mother doing her job in making the home a restful, peaceful place makes the husband's job easier. He needs a place to relax, unwind and rest.

God said let us make man in our image - this concept is so profound. Consider the unity that exists among the godhead - the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. As I consider their working relationship I see in them functioning as the Father being the supervisor; Jesus the spokesman; and the Holy Spirit the go-fer, all working in harmony. There is plenty of overlap with unity in goal, purpose. Since we are made in His image - spiritually, intellectually, mentally - do we work like this? Like the Triune God?

Once we understand how the Triune Godhead works together, I think it will go a long way in helping us wives to understand our role in life in relation to being a wife, mother to our husband and family being made in God's image.

We see in the Godhead order, perfect unity in every way possible. Since we are fallen we do not have this perfect unity in mind or spirit which is why one needs to be submitted to the LORD Jesus, allowing the Spirit to fill us, guide us. He cares about us women, how we function as wives, mothers. It is our job and He is interested in us being faithful to our calling. Can we grasp that?

This subject is so deep, so profound...I cannot do any justice to it. Perhaps the LORD will show you in a way better then these mere words do?

ginnyrose

Greetings Ginnyrose,

I think what you share here was very well said :) I have come a long way from the place I was when I first married(praise the LORD) and I rejoice in that fact now that I can be of help to him as he so very often is to me. When I think back to my early years in my marriage I am amazed at how my husband and I manage to come through those times it could only have been the LORD working even then in our lives.

God bless
mj

Mary Jane,

As I look back to the early years of our marriage I am amazed at how much my husband and I have changed. It is as though we are totally different people. You know, when you belong to the LORD He will change you from glory to glory. Physically you go from picture of vibrant youth to an old wrinkled prune but your wisdom gained from experience....I would not mind looking young if I could have the knowledge and wisdom we have gained throughout the years. And...you know what? what you have learned through experience will be YOURS, no one can take that away. You have learned what is absolute and what is not because you have learned through hard knocks...

Anyhow...got to get back to my other post I was going to write.

ginnyrose

Gen. 1:26 "let us make man in our image."

So says scripture: we are made in the image of God.

Let us take a deeper look at the image of God. The best way one can see that is to observe his work in his creation.

Did you ever look, study the creation itself? The colors, the shapes, the angles in all its myriad combinations? How these designs exist in everything you see? It is everywhere, everywhere. (Hell is a place completely devoid of light, no color, completely dark - would that not make a person go crazy? Just the absence of light itself? I think so, not even considering the fire...)

Consider the cedar wax-wing bird - check it out on the web if you are ignorant of its coloration. On its wing it has two-three red feathers surrounded by brown. Now tell me, if you can, why did God place those 2/3 red feathers in the middle of those dark ones? What practical good does it do? Never heard that it does. I suspect God put it there to evoke within me a sense of awe and wonder at his sense of beauty. God is a God of beauty; He is awesome. What are its implications to me as a woman?

Since we are made in His image, should we not in the course of living, doing our work, be creators of beauty in whatever we do? Of course, one can become vain and go to extreme but this is not what I am talking about. [EDIT]I am talking about our work in homemaking, our cooking, food preparation, how we decorate our homes, our clothes, everything we do....does it reflect the beauty of God living within us? Beauty radiates joy, happiness in living...does my work radiate joy?

As I reflect on my walk with the LORD I can see in myself an growing sense of creativity. I used to think I was the most uncreative person on this planet - I had no original ideas - and maybe there are none. But as my walk with the LORD deepened I am experiencing a new sense of creativity.

If this sounds, well, earthly, consider the alternative. Look at the creativity promoted by the world. It is ugly. The people look angry, their clothes reflect their anger, distrust. Actually, they do evoke a sense of fear, distrust in me when I see these pics. But a godly person radiates joy, happiness in his/her work, attire, music, personality. This is the image of God demonstrated in us.

Does this make sense?

I know I am on a rabbit trail, but to me this is a very important concept we women need to understand that enhances our ministry as a wife and mother.

There is one more incident in the WORD I would like to share that deals with God's creativity that has taught me, inspired me for many years ...

Remember when God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt but Moses objected to it with many excuses (can be read in Genesis 3 and 4) and finally God asked Moses, "what is that in your hand?" And he said a "a staff." Then God proceeded to teach Moses how he will use that stick in his mission. A stick, or a staff, something very common that costs nothing but can be fashioned wherever there is some wood. A simple piece of wood. Nothing profound about that. But when God tells you to use it, it becomes very powerful.

In life I have been in a quandary many times about how to accomplish something....like share a gift when the money was an issue, or anything else when I was stumped. Then I consider, "what do I have? What can be done, made with the resources that are at my disposal?" Think. And think some more. Ask God to give you illumination...he cares about your job as a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend. After all in 1 Timothy 5:14 says "Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach." True, he is addressing the role of widows but the same hold true for young women - one cannot be a widow without first marrying!

Does this make sense how God has endowed females with his creativity and that he expects us to utilize it? If we find ourselves in a dilemma He will be delighted to assist you as you fulfill your job? Being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) is fulfilling God's will for you. It does not sound as glamorous as being the CEO of an business, but we are raising a future generation and that is very important.

God bless.

ginnyrose

Point two in what the older women are to teach the younger is to love their husband. Tall order. Or is it?

It is only in Titus 2 where we read that wives are commanded to love their husbands but there are more scriptures that instruct husbands to love their wives. One can theorize why this is so, but that is beyond the scope of this short post.

As I ponder this command and reflect on me loving my own husband and what hinders this love, I have to go back to one issue that comes up: my husband is not God. Too many times I think he should act like as though he is when in reality he never can be nor will ever be. And this causes problems in my loving him as I should.

This sense where I think my husband should act like God, always be capable of doing everything right all the time; never failing at anything; always knowing what I am thinking without me telling him has its origins I think in the fall when God tells Eve in Genesis 3:16: "Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”

Let us face it sisters - your husband can never displace God. Unlike God he is not omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent - he has a one-track mind and the track likely will not run close to where you are abiding at the moment. How many conflicts occur because of this? Think about that a while.

Will have more later...

Hi ginnyrose,

Not being a woman, I see things a little differently. I've spent a lot of time in 1 Peter, which is often used to speak to how a marriage should operate. The strongest theme I have seen in the book is that true love involves suffering, often wrongfully, because of our love for God and trust that He will repay in justice. I've heard enough women recoil after reading 1 Corinthians 13, stating that they cannot and do not love in this manner, that I ask you to seriously reconsider what you wrote about the requirement of wives to love their husbands. I look forward to hearing more of what's been laid your heart to share.

Blessings

Hmmm. I have noticed that my wife isn't God either, and that while we both have times when our preference would be to shove one another under a speeding bus, we always bounce back to our first devotion.

What helps me is a better understanding of love as desiring the highest and best for her at all times, and that centers around wanting most to see her madly in love with Jesus. Funny how when she is there, I am in the best place possible next to her!

When she is emotionally feeling my love for her, she relaxes more, enjoys her work more, has more ambition, and handles difficulty better. The opposite is also true. We have had 47 years of practice, and yet it works the same every day!

(And so after Adam awoke and saw the bandage where his rib had been removed, God presented to him his wife Eve.

His jaw hanging open with incredulity, Adam slowly walked all around her in amazement.

"God! Why did you make her so... beautiful?"

And God answered, "So that you would love her, Adam."

And Adam touched her and said, "God! Why did you make her so soft?"

And God said, "So that you would hold her, Adam."

And then Eve spoke.

And Adam said, "God! Why did you make her so..... stupid?"

And God said, "So that she would love you, Adam...")

Just had to throw that in for free...

Greetings ginnyrose

I really appreciate what you have shared here with us. I struggled for entire first half of my marriage looking at my husband in "expectation" I wanted and expected him to be everything and when he couldn't, when he failed I was angry, disappointed, and resentful. I was so sure every issue, every problem we had was because of his selfishness but then GOD got a hold of my heart and showed me the real trouble maker. Imagine my surprise when I looked in the mirror and realized it was me. I had so much to repent of and to turn from, the attitudes in my heart were all wrong. They were so worldly. The LORD took me to a place and together with HIM I started all over in my marriage and I learned to love my husband with a CHRIST like heart instead of a worldly one. I learned what it meant to truly care for and love a person not out of selfish motivations but because of CHRIST in me. There are times when my DH still does things(as I know I do) but instead of pouncing and getting angry, now we talk and most important I listen. Makes all the difference. I know longer look at all his failures, in fact I don't allow myself to ever look back and pull up a past sin or failure where our marriage is concerned, and my husband doesn't either(Thank you LORD)
Seeing my husband as my husband and not as my everything was really difficult for me at first but I know that I had to come to that place or my marriage would have ended. Besides I have also come to realize how sinful it is to put that "expectation" on another person when there is no possible way they can live up to it. I can't live up to it so why should I expect him to be able to? So unfair and selfish on my part really. GOD has been good, HE has shown me so much and helped to right my view of my husband, our marriage, and HIMSELF as LORD of my life. JESUS alone is my everything, HE alone is my LORD and SAVIOR, that HE has allowed me to make this journey in life with my DH is a blessing and gift. I am thankful for and do not want to abuse. My heart now is to daily love my husband with the heart of CHRIST. To honor JESUS by loving and caring for my husband and family and its a real good place to be :)

God bless
maryjane

Jeremy,

I am not done, not nearly. I am sharing only small bits at a time. People will not read long posts, at least I am inclined not to so I am writing in small bits at a time...

Yes, there is Proverbs 31, I Corinthians 13 and others...

But do share, I welcome this...

Love it!

You are so right - I have learned that from experience as well.

I love that 'free' piece.

BTW, I had always thought you were a woman...SIGH But that is ok; still appreciate your posts.

Sandra! Not a woman here! Old Vietnam combat vet biker yes, woman no.

And I love you my dear sister!

Glad we got that cleared up!