Well, it's been a week. I should have known that engaging in this helpmeet "challenge" that I issued to myself would have brought opportunities for me to grow in my weaknesses, but I did not expect it to start so quickly.
The number one thing I learned as a girl reading Proverbs was that a nagging wife was not desirable, nor was a domineering one. Scripture is pretty clear about the value of a gentle and quiet spirit. The former is much more natural to me than the latter, but through prayer and practice I am hoping to become more godly each day.
Today I got a chance to exercise my quiet spirit and my trust in God. A situation arose that was personally challenging and affected our family in a drastic way. I wanted to jump in, take control, and handle it. I could have, competently. But I asked my husband what he thought and he responded that he would handle it. I needed him to because I was too emotional, but I could have done what I needed to. However, once he said he was going to take care of it, I had to trust him (and our God who gave him the authority he has as the head of our home) to handle it effectively.
And he did. It was so rewarding to be able to take a back seat, trust, and be blessed by not having to worry about what was going to happen. And I was very blessed to have God affirm in my heart that in a small way I was able to affirm my awesome hubby. This helpmeeting thing is pretty awesome...
Defining a Homemaker
What does it take to be a homemaker? Must we wear an apron, heels, and pearls all day while we clean and cook? Must our home be a spotless wonder, ready for company to drop by at a moment's notice? Is it necessary for us to never lose our cool, always appear poised, and flawlessly manage every aspect of our home?
It's starting to seem that way, isn't it? And a homemaker must also knit, crochet, make clothing, bake divinely, wear smoothly natural makeup, have hair that is perfectly coiffed, and train her children up to be perfectly behaved in all situations.
Okay, reality check here! If that is what it takes, then I am submitting my resignation papers right now. Being a homemaker means making a home! Pretty simple, if you ask me. Love the kids, love your hubby, love yourself ... love God. A home is all about the love in it.
Where are you on your homemaking journey? I know I have a long way to go. I enjoy the "trappings" of the stay at home mom: the candles burning, the kitchen clean, a pot simmering, children schooling at the table, an apron and a feather duster ... but these are not the things that make me a homemaker.
What makes me a homemaker is the fact that my husband comes home after work, to a wife who loves him. The joy my children find in waking up, running into my room, and asking "What are we going to do today Mommy?" And the fact that our home is a place of safety, peace, and comfort. That's what making a home means.
It's starting to seem that way, isn't it? And a homemaker must also knit, crochet, make clothing, bake divinely, wear smoothly natural makeup, have hair that is perfectly coiffed, and train her children up to be perfectly behaved in all situations.
Okay, reality check here! If that is what it takes, then I am submitting my resignation papers right now. Being a homemaker means making a home! Pretty simple, if you ask me. Love the kids, love your hubby, love yourself ... love God. A home is all about the love in it.
Where are you on your homemaking journey? I know I have a long way to go. I enjoy the "trappings" of the stay at home mom: the candles burning, the kitchen clean, a pot simmering, children schooling at the table, an apron and a feather duster ... but these are not the things that make me a homemaker.
What makes me a homemaker is the fact that my husband comes home after work, to a wife who loves him. The joy my children find in waking up, running into my room, and asking "What are we going to do today Mommy?" And the fact that our home is a place of safety, peace, and comfort. That's what making a home means.
Practice Makes Perfect
I'm not even one week into my helpmeet challenge and I'm already goofing up. I am trying to look at the positive side and realize that a week ago I wouldn't have realized I goofed up. And "knowing is half the battle." I got overwhelmed with problems and tried to handle it myself instead of trusting my awesome hubby to take care of it or at least to share the burden.
Why do we do that?
It must be so difficult for men who are married to independent women to feel needed. I know that I love it when my kids ask for help and share things with me. It makes me valued when my friends trust me enough to ask for prayer or just cry and let me hug them. But I have such a hard time doing the same with my hubby, who is my very best friend. I can whine in his hear, vent at him, but actually leaning on him is a challenge for me.
I'm learning to trust more, however, and to let him step into a place I've tried to fill. I'm learning to do it with joy and thanksgiving. One of the blessings of being a submissive wife is having the full protection offered by a godly man who stands over you. It's a beautiful relationship!
Why do we do that?
It must be so difficult for men who are married to independent women to feel needed. I know that I love it when my kids ask for help and share things with me. It makes me valued when my friends trust me enough to ask for prayer or just cry and let me hug them. But I have such a hard time doing the same with my hubby, who is my very best friend. I can whine in his hear, vent at him, but actually leaning on him is a challenge for me.
I'm learning to trust more, however, and to let him step into a place I've tried to fill. I'm learning to do it with joy and thanksgiving. One of the blessings of being a submissive wife is having the full protection offered by a godly man who stands over you. It's a beautiful relationship!
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