A Merry Future Homemaker - Part One

Written by Amber Moeller

A few years ago, I embarked on a new phase in my life. Since my graduation, people often ask me what I am doing now that I am finished with my formal academics. I happily reply, "Training to be the best wife, mother and homemaker I can be." And what better way to be trained and prepared than to continue practicing those household skills that my mother has so carefully taught me, right here at home?

As I prepare to be a future homemaker, there is a verse in the Bible that I have been aspiring to, "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27).

Two things that I have gleaned from this verse are:

1. Learning now how to love doing those everyday tasks that go along with maintaining a home of my own someday: cooking, baking, doing dishes, cleaning the home, being organized, and yes, even finding joy in cleaning the toilet - we are to do all things as unto the Lord without murmuring or complaining, right?
2. If we learn to love even the most mundane things now, how much more enjoyment will we take in the simplest joys in life?

The world today has taught us to believe that our greatest fulfillment is in a career outside the home. I cannot find one example of a lovely, God-fearing woman in Bible that went off to college or a job to fulfill her longings and desires. No, they were all centered in Christ, their husbands, and the things of their homes. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman.

That is what we were put on this earth for. The Lord created the woman to be man's helpmeet - not visa versa. We, as women, have such a great role in life. With our hands and our tongues we have the opportunity to either build up a godly family and future generations, or tear them down. What we do now to train and teach our children (with our husband's over-sight) will affect not only our children, but generations to come.

"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."
~ Proverbs 14:1

"It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house."
~ Proverbs 21:9

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord."
~ Proverbs 19:14

"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman."
~ Proverbs 21:19

In being keepers-at-home, we have set out to do the Lord's will, and even though the world may not reward or cheer on our hard efforts, we shall receive our reward in Heaven. It matters not if we never hear a word of praise for those things we do in the home, though it is nice to hear. What matters is our heart attitude. Are we doing all things for the glory of God and God alone? Or, are we seeking glory elsewhere?

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."
~ Colossians 3:23-24

Learning contentment in being at home NOW, doing tasks of the home NOW, raising and caring for your family NOW, you will find greater joy in doing those tasks in your own home when your knight-in-shining-armor finally arrives to sweep you away to be his bride, his helpmeet, his companion, the mother of his children, and to create for him a quiet haven in which he may find peace from the toils of the world after a long, hard day at work. He will want nothing more than to drink in your sweetness and be ever thankful to God for a woman like you.

The Lord loves a cheerful heart that works joyfully in performing the role that He has called women to be--keepers-at-home.

"And the aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
~ Titus 2:3-5

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
~ Proverbs 15:13

"But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
~ Proverbs 37:4

Let us sow seeds of delight and contentment in caring for the things of the household, etc. The Lord has given us a wonderful and rewarding calling.

Now you may be asking, "What do I do during the season between the time I complete my academics and the time when I become a wife and mother?"

There are plenty of ways to keep your hands busy. Here are a few things that come to mind.

First, start in your family's home. Are there things that you could be doing to lighten your mother's load at home? If you aren't sure, ask.

Once the household needs are taken care of, dedicate some of your time to deepening your relationship with Christ and your understanding of the Word, and to increasing your knowledge of being a keeper-at-home, being a wife and a mother. Read books by other keepers-at-home (see just a few of many books that I would recommend reading on this subject in Bookworm Corner).

"Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
~ Proverbs 4:7

"How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"
~ Proverbs 16:16

Once you have covered those, there are many things to do with the hands. Some may be: learning a new skill and/or a new type of handwork; making meals for a sick neighbor; visiting a lonely widow; giving a tea party for a friend; sewing; crocheting; knitting; weaving; spinning wool; making soap, candles and baskets; gardening (vegetable or flower); caring for animals; rubber-stamping; calligraphy; photography; photo scrapbooks; learning more about your family's genealogy; gathering recipes for your home someday (maybe trying some of them out on your family); making and/or collecting things for your hopechest; helping a neighbor to can vegetables; give piano lessons, art lessons, sewing lessons, or whatever else that you may have learned that another eager young lady is wanting to learn; etc.

I always find many things to fill up my day and I am continually looking for more hours in my day to complete the projects I would still like to do.

One thing that we should desire most in our maiden years is that they be productive and useful ones.

In the midst of keeping your hands busy, it is good to remember to remain flexible with your time. For some time after I completed my academics, I became discouraged when I couldn't get all the things on my to-do list for the day completed because of things that would come up. After a while, I began to realize that the people who needed me were far more important than my little piece of paper with writing on it. Thereafter, when I went to make my to-do list in the morning, I reminded myself that they are only tentative plans and that I would be ready to help with whatever someone needed me to do. I became at peace with the accomplishments I did get done in the day and didn't dwell on those I didn't get done. I try to remain available for whatever may come up.

Ladies, we have a great and wondrous task ahead of us. Let us begin to enjoy it now.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:13-14

« Return to Musings