Why I Am A Homemaker

     Why do I stay home?  I am a capable, intelligent, healthy woman.  I am still childless (not our choice).  All we have is a dog, and two ducks.  So, why not "get a job...?"
     Why not "go to school?"  Why place all the burden on Dear?  Why, why, why?
     Am I just lazy?  Am I totally incapable of functioning within society?  Am I unmotivated?  Or, worse, does Dear lock me away, as though I were a mousy woman?

Job Title:  Homemaker

Job Description:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 

(Proverbs 31:10-31)

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

(1 Timothy 5:14)

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." 

(Titus 2:3-5)

That sounds like I already have a "full-time job!"  

     Please, do not be fooled, by the devil...Or, this world...Or, the flesh.  Being a keeper at home is a full-time vocation, regardless of children.  With children...You better believe you will be active!

     It is tempting to think that this God-ordained position, is nothing more than an antiquated, self-glorified title.  However, I really would have to disagree.  There are too many evidences otherwise!

     As a daughter of God, I am charged to follow after Christ.  He was submissive to the Father, so then, I must submit.  He said that if I love Him, I would keep His commandments.  So then, I will comply to this ordinance.

     As a wife, I am given the charge to care for my husband.  If and when He blesses us with the fruit of the womb (and/or, heart), I will be charged with their welfare.  We have animals, which are His creation.  He has clearly shown that we are to care for them, too.

     Caring for my husband, brings many responsibilities!  Just keeping up with a clean home, is a daily activity (that takes hours each day...Some more, some less...)!  Ensuring healthy, filling meals, are something for which I must plan.  I must also spend time making lists, to make sure we have food to eat!  I must utilize, to the best of our ability, (but relying upon the grace of God), the money he earns, to buy said-food; and, of course, other household needs.

     I am constantly watching the happenings of this home.  I am its manager.  There are meals to prepare, clothes for which to care, wounds/illnesses to be healed, organization to be done, visits to be had, errands to be run, things to be made, animals needing tended, dishes needing washed, bills to be paid, studies to be completed...
     Being a keeper at home, I have found, has expanded my creativity!  I have been motivated to try my hand at many things.  I have been given the freedom to be creative, in this role I have.

     I get to use my "free time" in this way.  I also use my "free time," in whatever way I want, (keeping in mind the Lord).  I used to feel guilty for it.  However, why should I?  Is it my fault that I am a homemaker?  Is it something for which I must be sad, or cower?  NO!

     I am thankful for the liberties I have, as a keeper at home!  God does not get angry at me, because I get to reap the benefits of the position He created for me!  He does not like it when I misuse it, or go contrary to His plans...But, to be upset with me for reaping the blessings for that which He made me?  I think not.

     I am learning to hold my head up high, in Christ, as a keeper at home.  I am not proud, in myself.  I am not apologetic, however, for deciding to obey Him.  I will not live as though I am doing something wrong, or shameful.  I am not living an unfulfilled, inglorious life.  Quite the contrary!

      I am living a very fulfilling, very pleasant, life.  The world, and most of "Christianity," may find it "dull."  They can have that opinion, if they wish.  They will not find me believing it "dull!"  There has been no greater fulfillment, than being the woman God wants me to be.
     It is confusion and perversion, to go contrary to the Lord's ways.  I know, I have tried rebelling against His ways, in the past.  All it served me was grief.  It confused the order of the home, and perverted my thinking.
     I tried being the boss.  That way does not work!  I thought that it was wrong to be in subjection to my own husband...To submit to him...
     I was wrong, in my thinking.  Of course, my actions were wrong, too, because they were controlled by my thoughts.  God worked on me, and is working on me, to fix that wrong mindset.
     Being a keeper at home is to place oneself into submission and subjection to her own husband.  I will say it, over and over again:  There is no shame in so doing!  Is it easier for me, than for some women?  Maybe.  I know there have been other women, for whom it has been easier for them, than for me.  It does not matter, the ease of it.  It matters that it is the way God wants life to be.
   

That is the reason I am a homemaker.