A few days ago my sister asked me a question that seemed to come out of nowhere. She asked if I would still encourage women to be full-time homemakers like I did 33 years ago? And if so, why? Even though I have not yet answered, I have been thinking about it since she asked the question. As a 16-year old wife and mother, my heart’s desire was to be a homemaker just like my mom. I actually penned that thought in my high school yearbook when asked what did I want to do when I graduated. I said I wanted to be a wife, mother and homemaker. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do! That marked fulfillment to me.
As a new believer in Christ, I prayed diligently about that. I desperately wanted God to answer that prayer. At the time, I never thought about how my husband would deal with being the only breadwinner for our family of 5. I would soon find out. One day after seeing how my job weighed heavily on one of my children, I decided to quit my job that very day. And I did. I then called my husband and said, “Guess what I just did?”
I believed God had officially called out my ‘calling’ and I answered that day in October 1981. I felt a peace that I could not explain. This began my brand new journey of living out my brand new faith in my brand new calling. After the initial shock and surprise wore off, my husband supported my obedience to God (many years later). God used him greatly in developing my faith. I then began to learn everything I could about homemaking. I was discipled well by women, books, and various resources. God used my enthusiasm to disciple a group of young moms who:
1. saw stay-at-home moms as ‘ministers’ and wanted to sharpen their focus, too
2. who were at a standstill as they waited to gain employment; and
3. moms who were clueless about full-time homemaking being a specific ‘call’ from God and wanted to test the waters.
There were no ‘mommy wars’ going on. No bashing working moms or moms who didn’t feel a ‘call’ from God to see the place that God placed them as a ministry. We welcomed and respected every woman who desired to be a part of the group. We even had women who were not married nor had children yet. They wanted to be poured into before they were faced with ‘on the job training’. It was one of the most fruitful times of my life.
God used my full-time ministry of homemaking to develop me into the woman I am now. My ‘training’ has been invaluable. I was not wasting my education or skill set by being ‘at home’ as some were quick to make me aware of. Nevertheless, I have learned patience, humility, trust, and how to be content in any and all circumstances. God grew this young woman up to accept responsibility. To speak forth blessing over my family.
Being a homemaker is where I discovered and learned of my leadership gift. This is where I first exercised my leadership gift. This was the soil of which I developed my gifts and bloomed where He planted me. I learned to sew, thrift shop, clip coupons, volunteer at my children’s school and come face to face with my ‘messy’ tendencies. I am still working on that, lol. I learned tips and techniques of shopping, decorating, making friends, developing a heart for others, helping women (and their husbands) to value the ministry of full-time homemaking. I led that group for 10 years.
As I pondered my sister’s question, “Would you make the same decision to encourage women to consider full-time homemaking a viable ministry and lifestyle?”, I would unequivocally say, “Yes”. I have lived a fulfilling, very fruitful life. I have done so for 33 years now. To God Be the Glory.
+First Look
Read Titus 2:3-5 from the Bible.
+Through The Looking Glass
Jot down what these verses are conveying.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share in the comments below!
The Looking Glass 