Desperate Housewives?

     Imagine this scenario with me:  Mrs. Smith rises early to spend time in Bible study and prayer before her children awake.  As soon as the children rise, she feeds them, cleans them, changes them, and begins the day.  Her day consists of training the children through discipline and education (both biblical and otherwise), cleaning, laundry, cooking, and making certain that the house looks like a "refuge" when her husband walks through the door after work that evening.  When he comes home she takes time to listen to him and do all she can to make sure he feels...well, at home.  She considers her job to be being a wife and mother and finds joy in fulfilling all of her responsibilities the best she can. 

     Typically, I think women find this image offensive, distasteful, insulting, and possibly even demeaning.  All I can say to that is:  You have believed the lie.  I am in no way offended by the picture of the 1950's housewife.   I am not "against" working women, nor do I believe that it is inherently sinful for a woman to work outside of the home.  I am, however, against the way that our society portrays the role of housewife.  Apparently, we are desperate.  "Desperate for what?" you might ask.  The only way in which I desire to be desperate is to be desperate for a closer relationship with Christ and a deeper understanding of His Word.  Well, we are told they are desperate to get away from their children and desperate to be freed from the oppression that is "housewifery".  Surely some women resent their role as woman and would rather shirk their responsibilities than be obedient.  They would desire for their husband to suffer for being a man and to cook his own dinner if he wants it.  Though the work of a mother and housewife is grueling and calls for supreme selflessness, it is the ultimate fulfillment of God's design for the woman. 

     I think a lot of women would ask, "Isn't a woman meant to do more than cook and clean?"  The short answer to that is yes.  But it is through cooking and cleaning and fulfilling my responsibilities within the home that I find so much joy and fulfill God's design.  We were designed to be servers and nurturers.  That is precisely the reason children run to Mommy when they are hurt instead of Daddy. She has the God-given ability to nurture.  When we fight against how God made us we can be persuaded we are happy, but I don't think it is even close to the kind of joy offered in servitude. You do not have to have children to fulfill this call.  Keeping your home clean and preparing meals for your husband is fulfilling the call as well.  I have found my marriage to be the sweetest when I cease to focus on what I "need" from the relationship and focus on serving my husband.  I want to be the equivalent of a priceless jewel in his eyes, not a nag that makes him thankful to leave for work in the mornings. 

     Admittedly, prior to my conversion being a housewife was more about laziness than it was a fulfillment of my call to duty.  Though we are not fighting a physical war, we are in a very real spiritual war.  A mother who is truly seeking to be obedient to God has her work cut out for her.  It is not all butterflies and sparkles.  It takes commitment and diligence.  One of the things I have found most rewarding about being a mother is how God has used is to hack away at my selfishness.  There is a battle for the souls of our children and if we are not faithful and diligent to train them and teach them the truths of the Word, we do them a great disservice...the GREATEST disservice.  My most important role as a mom is to lead my children to Christ.  Though I cannot force their conversion, I can be obedient to the call God has put on my life as their mother and pray that He will honor that.

     So, housewife, be encouraged.  Yes, you will be tired and your life will seem like the movie Groundhog Day.   Spit up and baby poop will become your most common accessories.  At times you will feel like all you do is give, but you never "get".  Remember, Jesus was a servant leader.  And the only thing we ever really need to "get" He gave freely on the cross.  So, pull your hair back into a sloppy ponytail, chug some coffee, rub concealer under your eyes, and then focus on the cross as we serve Christ by serving our families!

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:4-9