Early morning and 17 degrees outside. As I stood on the warm heater vent, sipping hot cocoa, I looked around and thought of the potential of home. The career woman may have clout, influence and authority at the office, but she can’t light a candle to the dedicated woman in the heart of her home, whose children will one day rise and call her blessed.
The Potential of Your Home
What can you teach your children that will reach down through the generations, touch eternity and glorify our LORD?
Home education is a fine choice and one that many Christian families make. But if we home schooling moms create nothing more than intelligent, well behaved individuals, we have done our children a great disservice.
Putting the time into teaching your children about the LORD and how to follow His ways and obey His commands is far more necessary than teaching the three R’s. We should aim to spend at the very least 30 minutes per day reading God’s Word with our children and memorizing scripture. We find more time than that to use our computer or “smart” phone.
How can you bless those who call your house “home,” along with those who come to visit?
Your family should be able to rely on your service and dedication to them. The Proverbs 31 woman rose before the sun to meet the needs of her family. You may not get up until 9am, but the point here is to be as devoted and zealous as the homemaker who hops out of be at 5am to feed her family.
Hospitality is a command in the Bible. It’s something we are not to neglect or shy away from. Though we may be unskilled and awkward with having company over, we are to practice it regardless. It is for the mutual edification of the saints, and a way to shine your light to the unsaved around you.
What should your days look like in order for your family to thrive?
I’m glad you asked. First, you need some structure. This doesn’t need to be an intricate schedule for your day, but you do need some sort of framework on which to build your daily tasks and activities. (The Focused Homemaking Course will give you this framework).
Routines and schedules aside, you must have a time of prayer and reading of God’s Word. You must have some sort of plan to follow. Even a checklist on the fridge will bring some order to your day. And you must have the self control to do the good you ought to do. Working is preferable to idleness. See Proverbs 31.
How can you encourage those around you?
In short, by your life. By living out good works, you give feet to God’s Word. By being diligent in your home you cause others, chiefly your own family, to see those good works and glorify God in Heaven.
You encourage others by living out God’s commands. It shows. It shines. And it encourages.
How should you behave in order to be a godly example in the heart of your home?
1 Peter 3 sums it up rather well:
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” 1 Peter 3:1-6
After prayer, your behavior is your single greatest device to winning a disobedient husband to the LORD. You will need great resolve and great patience. It is a promise though that the husband may be won by your conduct alone. Don’t underestimate the significance your presence in the home, and your pure and respectful attitude has on those around you.
Your home has potential. Great, rewarding and far-reaching potential.
You were created to give your home it’s life by your devoted service.
What is the potential of “your” home?
Hi, Jennifer! I have had a great time poking around your blog! I am smiling because I am so encouraged that there are mothers like you who understand how important your role is! Thank you for being faithful with what you have been given!
Many blessings, sweet friend!
Great ideas. I totally agree. So important to remember that we leave a legacy (either good or bad).
The world would have us believe that we are wasting our talents in the home. That’s not God’s way, as women in the home can have such a significant impact on their family, their community, and the world!