Guest Post: The Importance of Homemaking
Guest Post from Lynn Bowen WalkerAuthor of Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker (Come back tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of this book!)
"Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men..." Ephesians 6:5-7
I've been reading a secular book about the history of women and domesticity. One of the author's points is that the work we do in our homes is undervalued, often not even seen as work.
While I agree wholeheartedly with her observations, the conclusions she and I reach diverge wildly. She seems to conclude that the world needs to see and value our work if we are to keep doing it, and to entice the next generation to value the concept of home.
I conclude that whether anyone sees and appreciates our work or not, it is still important to keep doing it. While it would be lovely to have one's homemaking efforts valued by the world, the lack of any such recognition does nothing to diminish the work's importance.
My children may not appreciate my efforts to get them to eat fruits and vegetables or to put their clean clothes in their drawers, but that doesn't mean I should abandon my efforts. If the work is important, it's important. Period. Whether anyone on the outside gives me acclaim or not.
I love the apostle Paul's observations that we are not to be men-pleasers but servants of Christ. He wants us to serve in our callings with good will, also translated as benevolence ("well" plus "mind"). He wants us to do His will from our hearts.
The Lord Himself sees and values our work.
It is enough.
-Lynn Bowen Walker is a Stanford graduate who was trained as a journalist, but who chose instead to dedicate herself to raising a family and building a strong home. In addition to making a mean chocolate chip cookie and having written for many magazines, she has contributed to several books, authored a book of her own, and is raising two sons with her husband, Mark.
Graphic from AllPosters.com
Labels: Homemaking
posted by Crystal Paine at 1:00 PM
<< Home