A Homemaker in all seasons

I have been busy around my house. Not busy in a hectic way, but busy in a constant way. I have been busy being a homemaker. My homemaking tasks look different  now than they used to look. I no longer have my own small children that take up so much of my time. I can use my time differently. I can enjoy and help my husband differently, I can be a help and encouragement to my grown children. I can explore those creative pursuits that I never had time for in the past. I can cook for my grown children and their families, I can help with the grandchildren, I can cook for a neighbor that is sick, I can lend a helping hand when I am needed somewhere, much more easily than when my children were young. I love being a homemaker even when the season of my life has changed.

To be a homemaker isn't a popular choice in some circles. How many of us have felt second rate, unsuccessful, extremely lacking and unfulfilled human beings to be qualified only as a Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Homemaker. I am sad to say that in my younger days, these were the impressions often given in the world around me... and at times I felt the assault of it. But as I have matured in the Lord, I have found great peace in Him, and in being who He has called me to be. His good opinion is the only opinion I need. His blessing is the only blessing that can give me peace, joy and fulfillment in my life; As a homemaker, I am blessed; to be a help to my husband, to love, teach, feed, and nourish my children and grandchildren, to create an environment that will help them become who they were called to be; these tasks are happiness to me.

A woman's life has seasons. We go from children to young ladies, then many are young wives, soon we have little ones; we teach and nourish and love them. Our children grow older, we have teenagers, and young adults in our home, we watch our older children marry, our youngest children leave home, we adjust again, and in no time, we are grandparents, our house isn't as full as it once was but at times it is fuller than it has ever been. Each change requires a different way to shine the light of love and peace in our families.

It is a desire of my heart to grow old gracefully and to allow the will of God to transform me and shape me into all that I should be, regardless of what is happening in the world, or the changes I feel in my very midst. We have the opportunity to teach grace by the way we continue to grow in grace ourselves, and by establishing His grace as we build up and love our families and those around us. The world is in such need of light. Be encouraged today if you wrestle and struggle with who you are and what your role is in this life. Perhaps your role is changing, and you have to adjust. Close out the noise that is not from above and find rest in the joy of the calling that you have. Each day is a gift and an opportunity to make your life and your home a place of light.

This last month, we have had our oldest son and his family here in Colorado with us. The Lord opened a door to allow them to be with us for a short while, to finish what needs finishing here, as He prepares them and us for the next season of life. I have been filling up my heart in this moment, enjoying the fullness I feel in having them in our midst and I am thankful for the portion that I have in the here and now. I am reminded again that every season is important; take pleasure in it and rest in the joy of the journey.

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” —George Washington

“I am sure that there is no place in the world where your message would not be enhanced by your making the place (whether tiny or large, a hut or a palace) orderly, artistic and beautiful with some form of creativity, some form of ‘art’ (p. 213).” 
― Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” —Abraham Lincoln

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“There is no occasion when meals should become totally unimportant. Meals can be very small indeed, very inexpensive, short times taken in the midst of a big push of work, but they should be always more than just food.” 
― Edith Schaeffer, Hidden Art

 “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” —Abraham Lincoln

“You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be. I had a mother who read to me.”

― Strickland Gillian

“It's sad if people think that's (homemaking) a dull existance, [but] you can't just buy an apartment and furnish it and walk away. It's the flowers you choose, the music you play, the smile you have waiting. I want it to be gay and cheerful, a haven in this troubled world. I don't want my husband and children to come home and find a rattled woman. Our era is already rattled enough, isn't it?” 
― Audrey Hepburn

“If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation.” 
― Edith Schaeffer

.... she is worth far more than Rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

The wise woman builds her house, the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 14:1