Monday, November 2, 2015

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 SchaefferThe 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



“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 SchaefferHidden 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




10 comments:

  1. I. Love. This!!! Thank you SO much for being a sweet encouragement to my heart today my friend. You are a blessing. XOXO

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  2. I second everything that Camille said. You are a blessing!

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  3. Such encouragement Pam. I hope to always stay home and be there for my future grandchilden, God willing. I have no desire to return to the workforce yet I am often asked if I will return to my career when my children leave home. I have a friend who is a stay at home grandmother. (My friend who shares your surname!) Now she has time to work in her garden you want to see the harvest it brings forth! It gives me hope for the future of my own sadly neglected food garden and reminds me that yes, to everything there is a season. I just love all those quotes you have shared especially that one by Audrey Hepburn. I'm going to write it down. Yes, this era is rattled enough and I want my home to be that haven from it! I tire of this trend in the Christian blogging world to share all about the not so good days and the general acceptance of messy, disorganized homes and frazzled mothers combined with disdain for those who desire to excel in the homemaking arts. It saddens me that there is rejoicing when their last preschooler goes off to school and they take photos of themselves jumping for joy and post them for the world to see. What kind of message does that send to their children? Yet these blogs attract huge followings. Complete opposite to the type of encouragement given to homemakers by Godly women such as Edith Schaeffer and Elisabeth Elliot. Off to make cinnamon bun dough in the breadmaker. Always remember Francis Schaeffer saying that more people came to Christ through his wife's cinnamon buns than through his sermons!

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  4. Wonderful and I think most women are going through this wonderful phase that brings a bit of loneliness and yet freedom and great joy of a mission accomplished. I know you are still running my dear friend!
    Precious and inspiring as always...
    We must still love and mentor this new generation as a Godly Women will never go out of style!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  5. Hello Pam! This is such a great post full of encouragement! Thank you so much!
    My house is so quiet, you can hear a pin drop! So, I've been singing and dancing and thanking the Lord for my days. As far as I know the guys haven't shot a critter yet! Praying they will at least see some soon!

    Have a wonderful day!
    Hugs, Amy

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  6. You have no idea how encouraging this was to me. I have struggled with being (just) a homemaker in this season of my life but you have reminded me of how valuable a gift it is, even in a season of grown children and far away grands. Thank you

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  7. love this... so, so encouraging... and that Audrey Hepburn quote... I'm going to have to borrow. :)

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  8. Hello Mrs. Pam~
    Love the post....and the Abraham Lincoln quote about his mother's prayers! So true.
    Was thinking about you....and wondered if you would mind e-mailing us your new address?
    Hope and pray that your having a lovely day filled with His mercies!
    Many Blessings~
    Maggie for us all

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  9. Thank you for this! So encouraging and beautifully said. Blessings, Debbie

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