Proverbs 31:17

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She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 
 


Homemaking is an interesting thing. Because we, as housewives, are basically our own boss we set the level of household functioning wherever we want it to be. There are all kinds of books written on what personality types we are when it comes to home management. Everything from neat and orderly Martha Stewart types to the messy and totally unorganized. Some of that type of thing is not bad. I guess if I determine what type of housekeeper I am, I know the challenges in front of me better. But I don’t think this should be used as excuse not to always focus on a clean and orderly house. The biggest challenge I have had to fight over the last 27+ years is just plain laziness.

 

Homemaking requires tenacity. To "gird" is to tighten the belt up on the robe, or better put in today’s terms is to roll up our sleeves and get it done. Homemaking is hard work and our wise example from the Proverbs 31 woman is that her days were filled with productively working to manage and care for her home. And this requires strength. It requires physical strength but it also requires inner strength which comes from God (Psalm 18:1 I will love you O Lord, my Strength). It is not always easy to rise up and do the same jobs over and over each day. We can accomplish this by looking at the goal the Lord has set in front of us, our home and family and all the responsibility that goes into managing and caring for it well. In return the Lord gives us that inner strength to tackle the day. Psalm 18:39 says.. For You have armed me with strength for the battle.. and while housekeeping is not a battle field, sometimes the mind and will do it is certainly a battle! And always the end result of hard work is physical strength.



These are the thoughts on my mind this morning as I am thinking about our upcoming new school year and getting back into more regular daily routines. I need to work on some organizing and cleaning. It is time for me to start focusing on fall and schedules and cleaning up from summer.
 

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Thank you so much!! I needed to hear that as I'm canning peaches.
    God bless you as you have blessed me through what you have shared.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MonicaSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Yes, thank you! I work outside the home and some times (well, very often) I fight the battle of laziness. I am a neat and orderly type person and when my home is not so I begin to feel out of sorts and go like a crazy person. Most days I just have to will myself to stay on task and get things done. I remember asking my grandmother who worked outside the home, got up every morning at 5:30, kept a nice home, and always had time for us grandkids...how do you do it Grandma? "you just have to want to more than not want to". I do and I will. Thanks Crystal!

    ReplyDelete
  3. aliceSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    I always enjoy your posts. Hope to see some posts on your upcoming homeschool year! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. VictoriaSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    This is a great post! It really does boil down to choosing to do what you're supposed to do. I struggle greatly with my laziness when it comes to cleaning and homeschooling. But, as I think you've said before, my husband who works outside the home doesn't get to shirk, so why should I expect to? Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

    ReplyDelete
  5. aimeeSeptember 7, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    Great post! I also liked your grandma's saying Monica, "you just have to want to more than not want to". SO true!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  6. CathieSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    I so so agree. I am struggling with schedules and get my summer chaos back in order.

    thanks :o)

    ReplyDelete
  7. JessicaSeptember 8, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    I am with you all. I should be starting "regular" school as most others have, but...my deck is full of food from the garden waiting in turn to be chopped, shredded, canned, fermented, pickled...I need to sit down have a cup of coffee and think it all over!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. JessicaSeptember 8, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    oh, I had to mention this, Crystal, you are not lazy. I don't know how I know this, but I am convinced that you're not!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Crystal,
    Love this post...I really needed to read this today.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and helping so many.
    Love you my friend,
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete

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