Today’s post is simply a quote from my book, Juggling Life’s Responsibilities (pp. 34-36). We’ve spent several weeks now taking a quick overview of the roles God gives to women in His Word. He says He created us to be helpers to our husbands, mothers of children, managers of our homes, and ministers to the world. However, to fulfill these roles, we have to overcome monstrous hurdles from our culture and our own sinful worldviews.
Is it worth it? Can we trust the Bible, God’s inspired Word, to guide us correctly? Will we get to the ends of our lives and see that we made the right choice, even when it wasn’t culturally correct?
Yes, I believe so! Let’s see what Scripture says…
Think of God as your employer and your home as your career center. The day you accepted your new job as “wife,” you accepted a difficult assignment. But it is worth it! The pay with God is exceptional! He reward you with many “perks” and benefits.
First of all, God wants to give you a lifelong companion, friend, confidant, and helper in your husband. Proverbs 5:18 and 19 suggest that a man and woman committed to each other for life can always be captivated by each other’s love. This commitment takes work, of course, and we will talk about some practical ideas to help you remain committed. But marriage for life is God’s command, and He will bless you for your commitment by giving you a relationship that is a true picture of His love for you (Eph. 5:22-33). As you become the kind of wife God wants you to be, your husband will be grateful (Prov. 18:22; 31:10, 11, 28).
Second, training your children in godliness positions them to follow in your footsteps. Let’s read what Scripture has to say to wise parents:
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just (Prov. 3:33, NKJV).
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6, NKJV).
Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul (Prov. 29:17, NKJV).
The Bible also says that “a wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother” (Prov. 10:1, NKJV). While I may attempt to train my children by taking them to church once or twice a week, reading Christian books to them, and teaching them Bible verses, I realize that when they get older they may choose to turn from God and live in disobedience. Such a scenario would break my heart! Therefore, I’m endeavoring to train them in godliness from the earliest age, consistently following through day by day, year after year.
I have purposed in my heart to follow the advice of Moses, teaching the principles of God’s Word when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up (Deut. 6:4-9). I am learning that my responsibility is to lead a life of integrity. I pray that when my children are grown, my life will have blessed theirs.
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him (Prov. 20:7, NKJV).
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4, NKJV).
God has more perks for those who follow Him.
- He gives you joy and happiness (Psalm 113:5-9; 127:3-5).
- Your home environment, no matter how rich or poor, can be filled with peace (Proverbs 17:1; 24:3-4; Phil. 4:7-9).
- You can have a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment (Proverbs 31:28-31).
- You have friends and mentors who love you and want the best for you (Titus 2:3-5).
- You have the opportunity to influence the world for Christ (Proverbs 22:29, Philippians 2:15-16).
I know there are many, many more reasons to follow God’s design for you, His woman. I pray that you will become evident to you as you read this book and apply some of the principles to your life. In the meantime, you have an assignment. Look at the faces of the women you know and those you meet. Observe which women are truly joyful, which women have radiant faces (Psalm 34:5), which women exhibit the peace of God even in stressful circumstances, and which women have children who are a joy to be around. Ask yourself if these women are following God’s advice or the world’s. Ask them if obedience to God has been worth it all!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9, ESV).
Read more of Juggling Life’s Responsibilities: Biblical Help for the Married Woman…
Anne,
You are such an incredible encouragement for me. Today’s e-zine really was inspirational and eye-opening. I have never looked at God as my employer and my job as wife and mother as a career, but you are right. And what benefits! I am so glad I was given this job. Thanks for the scriptural references, I am printing your entire post and hanging it in my kitchen as a reminder of my awesome position in God’s employ as well as encouragement that I can do it!
Thanks again and may blessings abound!
Heidi Fencsak