What Can I Do After The Cleaning's Done?
Guest Blog by Glenys Hicks -A Wife, Mother, and Grandmother from Australia
I have been a homemaker since I was 16 years old- 36 years in total. I love a clean house, and I plan and clean, but after the cleaning is over, my heart asks ‘now what?’ I don’t find that housework in itself brings me full satisfaction in my Christian life. It is my responsibility before God to run my household well and to look after my family, but what about after that’s done for the day? I mean, after 36 years, you do get housekeeping down to a fine art!
Over the years I have found ways that I can work from my home and serve Christ and others. Now I realize that there are many home-based businesses you can do, but I am specifically talking about ministry- acts of charity and kindness one can do from home. With small children at your feet, and suppers baking in ovens and simmering in crockpots, laundry tumbling happily in the laundry room... As keepers of the home, it is to our advantage to be at home-for then people will know where to find you.
How do we satisfy that craving to serve Christ and others more fully whilst still being keepers of the home? How can we show charity and acts of kindness to others whilst at home?
There are many ways one can be charitable and kind to others without leaving home. Here are some of the things I have done with children around me, and now grandchildren.
* I have baked for the woman down the street who was on bed rest for a problematic pregnancy. And learnt to praise God that mine weren’t.
* I have designed and typed resumes for neighbors who didn’t have the ability or computer. Put to use my training as a data entry operator.
* Designed my own cards with a personal message for the sick and sent a child over with a home-cooked casserole. Gave me a buzz designing something special.
* I have minded a fractious baby for a friend who was a new mother and just needed some time-out! (Wishing I had had that myself in hindsight. Smile)
* Over a cup of tea, I would help a friend work out a budget as she wasn’t sure how to stretch the funds and her husband had handed the responsibility over to her (probably feeling overwhelmed) I have been there too- but because of that, I had become extremely good at frugality. For which I praise the LORD!
* As it became known that I could sew, it was not uncommon to have a hem of some school trousers or a friend’s dress to take up or even to be asked to finish knitting a baby jacket someone had started and was running out of time to finish.
* I would provide free after school care for my neighbor’s children if she had a dental or medical appointment that would prevent her from getting home earlier.
* I have sat at home packing endless pieces of jewelry or Christmas cards with a friend who was subsidizing her disability pension with piece work and was behind.
* I have laundered clothes for a friend with a house full of sick children and so overwhelmed with that and laundry that I told her to bring a few loads to me.
* And ironed those clothes too- now that’s love! (Smile)
* My home has been like a crèche some days as the neighbor’s children played with mine because their Mother was morning-sick (I relate so well to that one!)
* And I have just sat at my kitchen table with a cup of tea and listened to some friend’s problems and offered advice if asked, but mostly listened. A problem shared is a problem halved! Never underestimate the gift of learning when to listen and when to keep silent. Many mistakes made and lessons learnt for me there!
* I have sewn countless little cotton shifts and pants for the orphanage our church sponsored in
* I have sat countless hours after my housework was done sewing sequins on big banners for the Worship Hall in our church. Thousands of sequins..thousands!
* And I have lost count of the number of women who have come with unfinished projects that we have worked on at my home. Sewing, knitting, crochet…
* And speaking of crochet and knitting…teaching a couple of friends crochet and knitting and how to read knitting patterns!
* Teaching my friend to touch type was another thing I did at home. That taught me a lot about patience, believe me!
* A young man who was my son’s friend couldn’t read and confided in me and he came and I taught him to read. He has a lot of confidence now! Praise God!
* I helped a friend with a disabled child do physical therapy at my home on the days when she was too exhausted to do it. I sure learnt a lot about a mother’s love!
* A rather humorous time was my neighbor who lived behind me asked me to show her how to peg her laundry out like I did- boy, I didn’t know she was looking!
* A young wife wasn’t sure how to use ammonia on her oven and asked me for a demo. I had the cleanest oven in town by the end of the day.
* And then there were the fun times- I was showing the same woman how to bake a certain recipe, and it flopped! But the fellowship was sweet at least! Smile.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks 2004
posted by Crystal Paine at 1:52 PM
9 Comments:
This post just shows me how a very little thing can be a ministry. What may be little to me, may be a very big deal to the next door neighbor.
WOW...LOVED this post...I'm printing it out. (o:
This was a wonderful post. I am going to put it in my home managment binder so I can always have it handy.
Wow. That lady puts me totally to shame. I wish there was someone like that around here to help me. It seems like here in America (or where I live) everyone is very independent and keeps to themselves. I like it sometimes but I would love someone to come and help me paint my bedroom before the baby comes.
It is the little things that minister to others. When I am having a hard week and someone takes a few minutes to call or write a note and say "I am praying for you!" and I know they have taken the few minutes to pray for me and then it speaks to me that God cares for me also, enough to urge them to call me or pray for me.
Thank you so much for posting this. It's a real encouragement to me. I'm always looking for new ways to help people. What an inspiration this lady is!
Great post! I'd like to put in a request to live beside her. :)
These are great ideas!
I am always so encouraged when families open their doors to organized para-church ministries at work in the area, who always need a place to meet/eat/ host teams, etc... this ministry of hospitality is so important to ministries like Campus Crusade, Young Life, Inter Varsity, Youth With a Mission, etc. - not to mention the importance of homemaker hospitality to the activities and ministries within the local congregation as well.
I also remember many life-changing conversations with my pastor's wife when I was in college, as we stood over her sink washing dishes or preparing a meal for their family... she was always making herself available to young women in the church for prayer, guidance, conversation, etc. What a blessing from the home for young women away from home!
Zan,
We just painted 3 rooms in our house over the weekend...if I was closer I would come and help you paint yours!!!!! :) However, Australia is just a little too far away... :(
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