A fresh look at working at home

"But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went in to him and said, "Lord, so you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42)
Let's take the example of Mary and Martha. This story has been looked at often as a story where Martha, although perhaps correct in her desire to prepare the house for her guests, it is Mary that Christ highlights as choosing the best portion at that moment. You see Christ rebuke her by saying you are busy about a lot of things, all of which I'm sure Christ saw the value in, but He says that one thing is important and Mary has found it. Perhaps this has greater application then just a Mary versus Martha choice. Maybe woman can glean from this that although we are do much at home, first, when Christ beckons, sit at His feet and listen. What we will learn through the work of the Holy Spirit will prepare us from the tasks of the day. How are we to worship God through our fulfillment of Titus 2:4-5 if we have not taken hold of the good portion that equips us for all things. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training is to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself or us to redeem is from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14)."
We as women allow the command to work at home to distract us from "the good portion" of "sitting at the Lord's feet and listen[ing] to his teaching (v.39)." We become so busy around the house cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, playing with the kids, talking with our husband, and caring for the dog, that we often allow or even out right neglect our time spent with the Father. I have countless days where I get so much stuff accomplished inside and outside of the house that I have never get to the one who is the giver and sustainer of all I have. The one that is often left as the last task to accomplish is the one who has given all that I have to clean, cook, spend, and enjoy. How often I can let things that are before me distract me from Him who is "the good portion." Now, as I wrote about yesterday, I believe that there are many ways that we can worship God through our actions and choices as woman, but first he calls us to come and sit at his feet and listen to him teach. His grace as already appeared (a one time action), but it continues to train me in all the areas I am called to as a woman. He calls us and equips us for ever good work, but we must seek that daily grace first.

learn what is good

Perhaps I should explain the meaning behind the title of this blog, Young woman learn what is good. Okay, so I realized that this is not directly from the Titus 2:3-5 passage, but rather it a phrase that sums up the application for young women. In verse three the older woman are instructed to "teach what is good, and so train the young woman..." to do what I believe are seven critical continuous choices. The continuous action of choosing provides the daily opportunity to worship God. In Romans chapter twelve, Paul appeals to the believer that they should "present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Look at the things that the older woman are instructed to teach the young women: to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husband. Each one of these beckons the young woman to choose to give of herself for the betterment of both herself and her family. These actions are found to be holy and acceptable in the eyes of God, qualifying them to be spiritual worship. What a difference it makes when I realize that my daily life is more than wiping noses and rears, cooking meals, and maintaining my home, but rather through each of these actions I can present myself as a living sacrifice. I must realize that my life can be used as a constant act of worship before God and not just a series of tasks to accomplish. Just something to ponder.

In my life's journey I am often the younger women, so here I will try to record my journey as I seek to learn "what is good."

Know God...

Life on this earth is a grand journey. The Maker of the universe has drawn some unto Himself and has already set before them a path filled with grace to equip us each day as we grow. Often as believers we do not live as though this process has already been planned and completed in the eyes of our maker. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 tells us that the "God of Peace himself" will sanctify us completely so that in spirit, soul, and body we will "be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The God that has called us is faithful, and will surly complete His work. He already knows the work that He will fulfill in me, and yet I often doubt His hand in the everyday matters of my life. The God of Peace himself, what does that mean? Perhaps Jesus explains it best when he says in John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." I think that is it. In the world you will have tribulation. Period. But I (I love that) have overcome the world. That blows me away. The God that I worship has already overcome the world. That means that the tribulation that I face or better stated, each sanctification moment that I meet, I should have peace in, because Jesus has already overcome it. He walked on the earth as fully man, and triumphed over it. Romans 8:35 and 37 say "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more then conquerors through Him who loved us."

How important is it for us to know our God and to believe the promises that he has set before us to read. As a wife and mom, life hands me different trials then perhaps if I worked outside of the home. If I allow, I could begin to see my work as unimportant or perhaps not as valuable as others; however, the way that I grip onto scriptures and as I embrace the work of the Holy spirit in me I see the great importance that God places on woman at home (Proverbs 31), and the work that he preserves just for me. I must know my God and understand Him intimately to value my place on this earth. I was at a conference a few weeks ago and heard a woman speak about the importance of woman in the church. In a later interview she said,” By self-consciously pursuing a deeper understanding of God, we fortify ourselves for the challenges and difficulties that will inevitably come our way." -Carolyn Curtis James

Know your God and realize that He has "purified for himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:14

Be encouraged today by the Holy Spirit wives and moms...