“A Wife’s Part” {part 2}

We are continuing on with ”A Wife’s Part” post series.  I am referencing parts of the chapter from the book, Home-Making, by JR Miller first published in 1882.  You can view Part 1 here. 

Part 2 of a wife’s part is something I have known since the beginning of our marriage, but the foundation of this truth seems to have gotten burried beneath all the “junk”,  that I have forgotten just how utterly important this aspect is.  The truth is so simple, yet the application and eternal perspective of it can be so difficult to practice.  The message I will share from this chapter will be brief and to the point.  Don’t miss the HUGENESS of this element!

The good wife is a good housekeeper….When young people marry they are rarely troubled with many thoughts about the details of housekeeping….

The newly married are not long within their doors before they find that something more than tender sentiment is needed to make their home-life a success… Love may build its palace of noble sentiments and tender affections and sweet charities, rising into the very clouds, and in this splendid home two souls may dwell in the enjoyment of the highest possibilities of wedded life; but this palace, too, must stand on the ground, with unpoetic and unsentimental stones for its foundation.  That foundation is good housekeeping…. – good breakfasts, dinners and suppers, a well-kept house, order, system, promptness, punctuality, good cheer – does happiness in married life depend upon such commonplace things as these.

Play close attention to this powerful part of the message!

But it should be understood that for every wife the first duty is the making and keeping of her own home.  Her FIRST and BEST work should be done there, and till it is well done she has no right to go outside to take up other duties…. (emphasis mine)  She must look upon her home as the one spot on earth for which she alone is responsible, and which she must cultivate for God if she never does anything outside… Let it be remembered that Christ’s work in the home is the first that he gives to every wife, and that no amount of consecrated activities in other spheres will atone in this world or the next for neglect or failure there.

This area is my biggest struggle as a wife.  I can’t seem to be consistent in it.  My perspective in viewing the home as the ONE SPOT on earth that I alone am responsible has been skewed by my selfish and worldly perspectives over the years.  Because of it, I have failed more often than not and it has brought about more disharmony in our home than I care to admit – especially to my precious husband.  Now don’t get the wrong impression – our marriage (and family) has been amazing and greatly blessed by GOD.  :)  But with two very sinful people living so intimately together under one roof, rough spots are inevitable. 

The bottom line is this… 

The LORD has called us as women to be sober, love our husbands and our children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to our own husbands. (Titus 2:4-5)  Why?  So that the Word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5b).  Did you catch the seriousness of that, my sisters??  Do we completely understand that by not being obedient according to Titus 2:4-5 that we are blaspheming the Word of God??  Our realm of responsibilties lies with our family and home.  If we don’t excel there, we do not have the privilage to take on other commitments.  I encourage reading the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) to fully grasp the importance of being faithful with few before we can be faithful with much.

I’m sure many of us have heard numerous sermons and read scriptures on this topic often.  If you struggle with this, it has simply become head knowledge to you (and me!).  May it no longer be, and instead, may it be a life and heart changing, passionate obedience to the LORD.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!

1. Jamie T says:

   December 3, 2009 at 3:07 pm

   Amen!