Greetings to you all. It has been a while since I've written. After the series on the Guest List I experienced what I call, "blog fatigue." Thankfully I have three very capable writers who carried the blog in my silence. I hope you were as blessed as I was with their posts. These are real flesh and blood godly women in our church who have a deep love for Christ and for the women in our church. I appreciate so very much the time these gals give to serving the women of TFC by sharing what the Lord is teaching them. Thank you Brooke, Robin, and Jenny.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. This week I'd like to share some of that with you. But before I get into that (tomorrow and possibly another day or two) I want to keep to my pattern of blogging with a follow up from this morning's message.
The Resurrection text 1 Corinthians 15 was powerfully brought to us this week. If you missed it, please take the time to download it. You will be glad you did.
I want to follow up on Tim's encouragement to women in the last point of the message: because Christ was raised "everything matters." It matters how we live out our womanhood. Our labors, whether we are single, young moms, empty nesters, grandmothers, or very young, are in vain if Christ was not raised. If Christ was not raised, then God is a liar and we are fools. If Christ was not raised then we are to be pitied for living out biblical womanhood. If Christ is not raised why be married, stay married, have children, serve our families? Why not get out there in the world, forget about anyone else, and go for all the pleasure and power that is out there for today's woman?
But because Christ is raised we have all the reason we need to fulfill our calling. One day we will also have resurrected bodies and we will stand before the exalted Christ. He will look on us and say, "Well done. Because of my justifying work on the cross for you, enter into the joy of my Kingdom." I do not merit heaven by being a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, but I sure do want to be a faithful wife, mother, grandmother because Christ my Savior lives for me.
And so, when days get busy, and tiring, or when kids get sick, or finances are depleted or a husband is failing in his role, let us "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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Those encouraging words from our pastor came to my mind again this morning, too. It was in the midst of three more loads of laundry (didn't I do three loads Saturday?), more dishes and more picking up. It seems to never end. Discontentment can creep in. And thoughts of how I'd rather be spending my time (even in ministry oriented ways) enter my thinking.
And yet, even in the midst of household related tasks, our gracious Lord has a word of life to us. Whatever it is that we find given to us to do, can be done "as a service to the Lord".
We don't have to, and should not, live for ourselves (to fulfill our desires and plans) any longer, but for Him who died for us and rose again! (II Corinthians 5:15)
And right where I am, I can live for my Savior!
Our labors in the home can seem mundane and it can be hard to see how doing all that laundry is a service unto the Lord. But it is!! God sees and God is pleased. We must live in the faith that God will bless the work of our hands.
One thing that I find helpful in renewing my mind while I do housework is to pray. When folding the kids' laundry we can pray for them, for their teachers, their coaches. When we iron our husbands shirts we can pray for them, their work, their witness. When we wash dishes we can pray for our caregroup members.....
You get the idea. This practice adds more meaning to an already meaningful (though at times tedious) task.
A brother in the church (and husband) has been refreshed by the noble desires expressed herein.
This particular husband often falls into the category of "husband failing in his role" as Gayline has listed it.
As far as the constant housework goes... may I give a couple of examples of how I have tried to be patient, and understanding with my wife?
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time my wife gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says that she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts supper. I try not to yell at her when this happens. Instead, I tell her to take her time. I understand that she is not as young as she used to be. I just tell her to wake me when she finally does get supper on the table.
My wife used to wash and dry the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is now not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after supper. I do what I can by reminding her several times each evening that they aren't cleaning themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to help her get them done before she goes to bed.
I have also noticed lately, that while doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest periods than she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she said she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try to overlook comments like these because I realize it's just age talking.
In fact, I try not to embarass her when she needs these little extra rest breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. I tell her that as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me and take her break by the hammock so she can talk with me until I fall asleep.
I could go on, but I thought these little tips might be helpful to any other husbands who might be peeking in on this blog. We must all try, in similar ways, to encouage our wives in their daily chores.
Always happy to help in such matters!
an ANONYMOUS! brother in the church.
NOTE: This was excerpted from a hilarious email: "Retired? Here's how to treat your woman during the Golden Years."
Thank you Anonymous. I am sure you do not fail to the extent your illustration describes!! But may I encourage you to keep encouraging your wife in her management of the home, with your love and support and with as much additional care you can provide. May your marriage be blessed by your God and Savior.
Yes... on a more serious note, I will try to support her efforts here in the home. My wife was already giving haircuts when I came down from my bedroom this morning!
ps. I told her she didn't have to sweep the hair up right away, but that she could wait to do so until after she fixed me my 2nd cup of coffee. I think she appreciated the extra time...
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