"The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down."
Proverbs 14:1
I'd heard the above verse quoted most of my life---at least the first part of it.
Wisdom builds.
But sadly, I seemingly neglected the second part of it.
Folly tears down.
The truth was,
I'd torn down with my words, my attitudes, my lack of planning and vision.
Though I'd wanted to be a wife and mom---a homemaker---all my life,
it took me a while to learn that building my home was not simply a matter of being at home.
I could be at home and still be destructively tearing it down.
Building my home was taking God at His word.
My heart and mind needed to be engaged as He helped me embrace my home---and the ones within its walls---fully and completely, viewing them as His high calling for my life.
The joy and purpose that followed was inexpressible.
I've referred to Titus 2 frequently in recent months, as it repeatedly calls me back to God's vision and plan for my life. Packed within such a brief little passage, I'm admonished to be reverent in behavior, not a slanderer or slave to much wine. I'm to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (see Titus 2:3-5).
Tucked among the important things God calls us to be about is this little gem: we're to be homemakers, home lovers, workers at home. As I've become fond of telling myself, "I get to!" No one on the face of this earth has been entrusted with the monumental task of creating a home---a haven---for my loved ones. I get this unique privilege of creating an atmosphere of love.
I get to prioritize this place and all that takes place here.
It ought to be the site of my best work.
God, in His perfect plan, designed it this way,
giving us as women the indescribable pleasure of
gladly valuing and building our homes,
forever impacting the lives of the ones who live within it.
Do you, dear one?
5 comments:
Hello, dear Nikki!
Have you heard of a book titled "Feminine Appeal" by Carolyn Mahaney? It is a challenging, encouraging study of Titus 2. I worked my way through it for the first time two summers ago...and have referred to it a number of times since. Good stuff.
Blessings to you and your men!
Paula! That's one of my very favorite books---I recommend it all the time! God has used it powerfully in my life!
Did you two know that Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters have a website/blog?
http://www.girltalkhome.com/
There's the link. :)
So very blessed by both of you amazing women!! Love you!
Yes, Jaimie! I've been a faithful daily reader for years! I've been so blessed, challenged, and encouraged by it! It always directs my heart back to the truth of God's Word. :)
Just what I needed to read today. Laundry backs up, frustration mounts as I follow little piles of messes around the house. As soon as I start cleaning, another is formed. Sigh... I know these times are fleeting and I too want to build a haven for these faces smiling up at me.
Thank you sweet friend!
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