Priority #4 – Home

(The following is an excerpt from Juggling Life’s Responsibilities: Biblical Help for the Married Woman by Anne Elliott.)

I will never forget the day I discovered that making my home pretty was part of the will of God for my life! With the dishes stacked high in the sink and on every available kitchen surface, with unfolded laundry piled on the living room floor, with toys scattered upstairs and down, and with overdue bills waiting to be paid, I turned in desperation to the Word of God. I searched for every Scripture passage that spoke about a wife’s responsibilities, and I made a list that covered the front and back of a piece of notebook paper. What I read made me tremble! I realized all my dreams for my life hinged upon my success as a homemaker, for my very reputation was at stake. I determined to make a change and, grabbing a piece of scotch tape, I hung my list on the kitchen cabinet over the sink. I plunged into the dishes and attacked stuck-on grime as I read the verses I had written. Halfway through, I turned the sheet around and read the other side of my list. Later, as my kitchen shone with cleanliness, I realized not only was my reputation at stake, but my joy and happiness were as well. My great discovery was that…

“The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1).

Evidently, I’m not the only woman who has recently made this discovery. As I browse through a popular Christian bookseller’s catalog, I see scores of books and tools designed to bring women to the realization that a skillful housewife is a needed commodity. Christian women worldwide are heeding the call of Titus 2 and training the younger women around them to be “homemakers” (Titus 2:3-5). A lucrative business awaits those who are savvy enough to take heed to this trend and add training materials, tools and seminars to the market. Multi-year curriculum have been published that help mothers train their daughters in the skills of the home. There are obviously many talented women who excel in homemaking!

I’m not one of them, but I have a strong desire to become one. The Bible teaches that “an excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Proverbs 12:4). I don’t know about you, but that appeals to me! Scripture also very clearly teaches that keeping a home is the primary responsibility of the wife (1 Timothy 5:14).

God has also been gracious enough to outline some of the duties of an excellent wife in the well-known poetry of Proverbs 31. If you, like me, desire improvement in this area, maybe you should read this portion of Scripture, then grab a piece of notebook paper and some scotch tape and display your own list of qualities that you’d like to see in your life. You will find that this list is immensely practical, for an excellent wife is:

  • A hard worker
  • Enterprising
  • Diligent
  • Wise with her money
  • Healthy
  • Conscious of the future
  • Skillful in her home
  • Kind and hospitable
  • Careful about her appearance

If God can change my heart in this area, what can He do in yours?

What Skills Do You Want to Improve?

Finances

  • Mommy Savers — For thrifty moms who want the best for their families… but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to get it!
  • Debt-Proof Living — helping you get out of debt and find financial freedom
  • How to Make a Budget and Stick to It
  • Budget Map is a unique way to keep track of your spending and ensure that you’re sticking to your budget.  We’ve ordered this tool for our family, and I hope you’ll consider it for yours!
  • A national homeschooling association talks about how to live on one income.
  • Wise Pockets – a unique way to teach your kids about money
  • Health insurance costs can be one of the biggest expenses for a family.  We have personally participated in and recommend Samaritan Ministries. Another company is Medi-Share.
  • Home Working Mom — a mom’s first step to working at home
  • Frugal Living is a wonderful place to start when you’re trying to be creative with your budget… and you need good ideas!
  • Making a budget from Crown Financial Ministries.
  • Getting out of debt
  • Frugal Happy Families – by Nikki Willhite, the author of “The Pennypincher” and “Tightwad Tidbits Daily”
  • Counting the Cost is a creative website designed to help Christians learn biblical principles for money management and abundant living.
  • Clark Howard hosts this website devoted to consumer advice and advocacy.
  • The Dollar Stretcher is a fabulous website with tips to help you succeed in your budgeting goals.
  • Miserly Moms has a goal of helping families reduce spending so Moms can stay home.
  • Frugal Friends — a home for anyone looking to learn how to save money
  • Coupons and Codes — a site filled with coupon discounts useful for homemakers. Also see their school-supply discounts page.

Getting Organized

Homemaking Skills

  • Sometimes we wish everything “nowadays” was as good as “way backwhen.”  Before you find yourself with a heart of discontent, you might enjoy reading through these links: Victorian Washday

Gardening

Want to try Gardening? I don’t have a green thumb, but I wish I did so that I could obtain our family’s produce cheaper and healthier. One thing I’ve learned, though — an organic garden is the way to go…

Click here for our favorite homemaking books.

>> Read about priority #5

My Books…

Foundations 1  Homeschooling P.E.  Four Foundations of Lifelong Learning  Biblical Home Education  The Organized Homeschooler  Juggling Life's Responsibilities  Blessed to Be a Blessing  For Tired Mothers

About My Site…

Some of my links are affiliate links. I am only an affiliate for products I know and love. I receive a small commission with each purchase made through my referrals and links. Thought you should know! ~Anne

Scripture marked (ISR) is taken from The Scriptures, Copyright by Institute for Scripture Research. Used by permission. Scripture marked (NIV) is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. All other Bible translations used will be acknowledged at their point of use.