Titus 2:3-5 (NASB)
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.
This is not a popular passage nor one
that we, contemporary Christian women, want to ponder much. However,
the Word of God is clear and different Bible versions don't vary much
in their interpretations concerning this.
Verse 5 includes ...workers at home. I
am not going to engage in discussion whether a woman should work
outside of the home or not. I am going to say that I have a
responsibility to my home. I must utilize my time wisely so that my
home runs smoothly and my family is taken care of.
If I am concentrating on being
reverent in behavior and refraining from gossip sessions on the phone
or other social venues then I will be most likely be reading God's
word, taking care of my house and finding time to take care of some
“me” time, what ever that may be...I think bubble bath!
I am writing out of conviction this
morning. I came home from an extended trip to California and my
house was clean, organized and welcoming. My men folk did a good job
keeping up the place or at least did an impeccable last chance clean
up day. I have been home for 4 days and now starting a 5th
day, and I haven't unpacked and my bedroom is in disarray. This may
not seem like such a big deal but my husband keeps moving my large
suitcase from bed to floor every night before bed because the
anticipated unpacking did not get done. I still have totes hanging
around the room that are ready for transferring summer to winter
clothing from my closet. I want my bedroom to be a sanctuary from
the busyness of life, a place where Kevin and I find our rest
surrounded by pretty things and comfortable surroundings. We both
deserve this. As a worker in my home, and a way to love my husband,
I need to get off my jet lagged bottom and get moving.
To do this I have consulted my favorite
household helper “the FlyLady”. If you haven't discovered her
you need to do so. She will have your organized and working
efficiently today! She breaks everything down to small steps and has
wonderful resources and articles to read that help. Girlfriends, it
is not enough to work outside the home and bring home money for the
family and have a nasty, uncomfortable home to live in. Honestly,
you know deep inside that some order and certain areas need attention
in your home and finding time to have an outside job and keep a house
is hard. You can do it though. FlyLady is a good resource. Some of
us that are home need to go to work, if we are just going to stay
home and do nothing. Our husbands and family come home daily to a
nasty and uncomfortable home because we have been on the computer too
long, the phone too long or shopped too long. We all are guilty of
being enslaved to our “wine”. What is your “wine”?
I read a book one time that taught me
the importance of keeping up my home, my children and creating a
“castle” for my husband. It helped me to understand that if we
want our husbands to spend time with us and want to be home with us
then we should welcome them to a home of peace and order rather than
filth and chaos. You may be thinking that your husband don't care
about the house and likes things just the way they are and maybe you
like the way you live but my Bible says to be a “worker” in the
home. I want to honor God by taking care of His provisions and
showing appreciation to Him and my husband for his hard work. If you
are thinking, “Why do I have to do it all?” Take it to God. I
have a husband who helps. However, there was a day when I did it
all. I was in better health then but I did it all and then he
started to appreciate the clean, dry faucets in the bathroom and he
started wiping them down too after use. I even laugh to myself
because he has become somewhat OCD like re: kitchen counters. He
cleans them off and declutters them when I slack or he gets a inkling
to do so. He is too kind!
I sound like a old woman or your mom
giving you a lecture and I am sorry. I like sharing my misery!
Actually, I like sharing the fact that though it isn't easy – for
example “the unpacked suitcase”, it is something I must do and
the satisfaction of getting my bedroom and/or house in order will be
well worth the time. You are not alone if you feel overwhelmed in
your home. Just take some steps daily to make it better. The
FlyLady has a cleaning plan that includes several breaks to do some
things that give you rest and a distraction from cleaning all the
time. The new year is ahead. New habits and new found joys in a
clean, simplified life at home can already be in practice if you
start now.
The FlyLady uses the term CHAOS to
describe some homes...”Can't Have Anyone Over” Syndrome.
I think it is funny and yet I know that
it is very real for some of us.
However, please know that a clean
“FlyLady” house is never necessary for being hospitable. A very
good friend of mine taught me this. She said, “I expect people to
come visit and see me NOT my house.” Her home is my favorite place
to visit. I throw myself on her sofa and enjoy her and refuse to
critique her housecleaning capabilities.
Today I want to encourage those of you
who feel the conviction like me to do better at fixing up your family
castle and seek God's will for your home. It is Biblical to do so.
It can be overwhelming to keep up our homes when there is sickness,
children to watch, school to teach, jobs to go to, and missions to
accomplish. I just hope that you will seek His help and seek the
proper priorities and do a little each day because in doing so you
will be in God's will and nothing feels as good as knowing that you
are blessed and doing His purposes for you.
You are Loved, acf
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