Home "making" -- A Time Investment
I had just finished sharing about the womanly privilege of edifying husbands and building homes. We looked at Proverbs 31, Genesis 2, 1 Cor.11.9 "...nor was man created for the woman, but the woman for the man," and more.
She apprehended me in the lady's room. "All those things you shared today are okay if you don't work full time. But I do. He gets home before I do. I walk in the door at 6:00pm to find 6 kids who all have questions for me, and dinner is waiting to be made. He's already been home for a while. Shouldn't he be helping me? How am I supposed to do what you talked about?"
Sigh. This question about how to juggle all these duties is a common one. Women's magazines have been trying to supply solutions for years now. Articles about managing an office and a home are prolific. It is a tricky dilemma, indeed.
But the greater difficulty is that we don't even see the problem, the inconsistency with the Word of God. Her husband is unhappy, feeling worthless in all that he does at home (he told her as much.) The kids are restless and needy, unable to help. Who will stop and fill the gap? Who should? God has already supplied that answer. She was made for him.
"Have you asked your husband how he feels about your work? Does he agree that it is assisting him in his calling from God? Does he feel it is helping him accomplish that which he has been called to do -- to raise up a future generation who knows God and loves Him, to serve in the local church, and to extend the kingdom of heaven here on earth?"
In our present culture, many husbands are in the same quandry because they want their wives in the work force -- that second income has become vital. They believe their wives should be heavily contributing to the household budget. But isn't it possible that there is something more valuable for a woman to contribute than a second income, even if that second income is the bigger one? (Is it possible that such a situation in itself could be detrimental to a husband?) What eternal treasure could she be contributing instead?
Perhaps we should have a course on Titus 2 for men as well so that they can understand the demands of building a home. Husbands and wives alike must be renewed in their thinking. Women need to be encouraged in this calling and husbands need to release them to it. May we see it happening more and more.
"Lord, let your word go forth in power to your people this day. Help us to apply it in very practical ways in our homes, marriages, relationships, work places, and in our hearts. We are a desperate people, for sure. But You, oh God, are a great and mighty God who delights in teaching us Your Holy ways. Lead us, this day, into truth and holiness. Be glorified in all we do. Amen."
She apprehended me in the lady's room. "All those things you shared today are okay if you don't work full time. But I do. He gets home before I do. I walk in the door at 6:00pm to find 6 kids who all have questions for me, and dinner is waiting to be made. He's already been home for a while. Shouldn't he be helping me? How am I supposed to do what you talked about?"
Sigh. This question about how to juggle all these duties is a common one. Women's magazines have been trying to supply solutions for years now. Articles about managing an office and a home are prolific. It is a tricky dilemma, indeed.
But the greater difficulty is that we don't even see the problem, the inconsistency with the Word of God. Her husband is unhappy, feeling worthless in all that he does at home (he told her as much.) The kids are restless and needy, unable to help. Who will stop and fill the gap? Who should? God has already supplied that answer. She was made for him.
"Have you asked your husband how he feels about your work? Does he agree that it is assisting him in his calling from God? Does he feel it is helping him accomplish that which he has been called to do -- to raise up a future generation who knows God and loves Him, to serve in the local church, and to extend the kingdom of heaven here on earth?"
In our present culture, many husbands are in the same quandry because they want their wives in the work force -- that second income has become vital. They believe their wives should be heavily contributing to the household budget. But isn't it possible that there is something more valuable for a woman to contribute than a second income, even if that second income is the bigger one? (Is it possible that such a situation in itself could be detrimental to a husband?) What eternal treasure could she be contributing instead?
Perhaps we should have a course on Titus 2 for men as well so that they can understand the demands of building a home. Husbands and wives alike must be renewed in their thinking. Women need to be encouraged in this calling and husbands need to release them to it. May we see it happening more and more.
"Lord, let your word go forth in power to your people this day. Help us to apply it in very practical ways in our homes, marriages, relationships, work places, and in our hearts. We are a desperate people, for sure. But You, oh God, are a great and mighty God who delights in teaching us Your Holy ways. Lead us, this day, into truth and holiness. Be glorified in all we do. Amen."
posted by Darlene Sinclair at
4:01 AM
12 Comments:
I enjoyed reading this post even though I'm not married. Thanks for sharing.
You are up pretty early since the time on the post was 4:01 am.
Yes, but that is an opinion of yours. NOT the rule.
Another point: there are eternal investments to be made in the work force as well. I think whether or not a women works outside the home is up to that couple and how they think God is leading.
welcome home!
I would love to hear about your trip sometime soon.
I really, really, really agree with this post.
BTW, I went to bed just after 4 a.m. this morning and almost jouraled "Good Morning Darlene!" before I headed off since I know you tend to get up early. As I was going into my room I thought, "I'm just going to bed, while she is getting up." The weirdest part is that we're only one time zone apart! I hope you had a wonderful trip.
Great thoughts, as usual. I've had Titus 2:3-5 :
...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
It doesn't say career-makers or money makers - the Word says homemakers. It is so refreshing to have freedom from the lies of this world.
"In our present culture, many husbands are in the same quandry because they want their wives in the work force -- that second income has become vital. They believe their wives should be heavily contributing to the household budget. But isn't it possible that there is something more valuable for a woman to contribute..."
I really agree with this. I think the privilege that I have had to be in the home fulltime has made an incredible difference in the lives of my children. There are so many things that do not slip by unattended to because I am so "in the mix" by being home fulltime.
Helen
"Perhaps we should have a course on Titus 2 for men as well so that they can understand the demands of building a home."
I'm glad for the recent formation of men's cell groups. For so long the women have heard but the men haven't. Perhaps the leaders of the cells will teach this.
Have you had a chance to listen to any of the tapes I loaned you? I KNOW you're busy, but hear me out. It's good stuff, directly related to all that you've been teaching/pondering. I am convinced that you will find new treasures. If you find the time, I know you won't be disappointed. If not- I totally understand. I just won't ever talk to you again. (HA!) Love you, Mrs. Sinclair. Love your commitment to His ways. Love your boldness and willingness to share. The truth does indeed set us free. I am EVER thankful to my husband for his hard work. He has made it possible for me to be home with our seven and I don't ever take that for granted. P.S. I will be covering bits and pieces from that FIVE ASPECTS on my Xanga over the next week or two. Stop by. Also, if you find that the tapes are just too difficult to absorb by themselves- you're welcome to look at my binder with the text, too. I didn't give it to you before because it has my answers in it. But I certainly don't mind. Good night!
Are you still traveling with your company? Any chance your "hopping" could send you this way?
love you!
what was your childhood like? and your life before marriage like?
I think the Bible is pretty obvious on this subject regarding the distinct roles of husband/father and wife/mother. It's too bad Bible believing people still see the scriptures in gray ink instead of black and white. How much more fruitful we, as a body of believers, could be if we'd simply take Him at His word, and not mearly as an ingredient mixed in with what our humanistic thoughts conclude.
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