rewarder of them that diligently seek him

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Being a homemaker has been an interesting journey. I became a homemaker, because I believe it is a commandment of God. I had many goals and dreams growing up. The two that stick out in my mind the most were country singer and doctor. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, my talent was not great enough to sing professionally. Sitting down with the high school counselor as a freshman, I was led to understand that I would be in school until I was nearly 30 for the other one. At 13, 30 seemed like an old woman so that was out, too. I considered advertising, teaching, gardening, and nursing, too, but nothing caught my attention. Shortly thereafter I turned my focus to homemaking. It's not something I just fell into, because I wasn't smart enough to do anything else. It was a conscious choice.

But as I've eased into an empty nest, I believe that homemaking is not just for the child rearing years. I need to be in my home to make it a refuge from the world for my husband. It still takes effort to keep it clean, organized, and inviting. Since I can't get delicious, nutritious meals at a drive in window, I must be home to prepare them, to grow them, to shop for them. It is important work even without the children home.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

I believe that even though I didn't get the fame and fortune of my previous childhood goals, I've been rewarded in far greater ways.  I've learned that serving others brings great joy. I've learned to love and accept people for who they are not my preconceived notions of what they ought to be. I've learned that it is fulfilling to have my own tiny country school and create my own little world. I've learned the value of a dollar and how to make that dollar stretch beautifully. I've learned that it is a fallacy that women need to go out of the home to work if they look at homemaking as a career instead of a sentence; organizing economizing, budgeting, doctoring, teaching, inspiring, creating, cooking, sewing, and beautifying. It can be very rewarding to do a job excellently. I agree with Lydia. If God commanded women to stay home, there will always be a way to accomplish this command---even if the economy is bad or war breaks out or medical emergencies make huge bills or businesses fail or times are uncertain.

I'm old enough to remember my grandparents. He was only a butcher at the local grocers, and she never worked outside the home. She loved her job and performed it marvelously. Grandma Downen was my role model for what a homemaker should be. She loved her children and doted on them. Perhaps she did a little too much for them, but it was out of pure love. She had a scrupulously clean house, lovely hand sewn clothing, delicious meals on the table three times per day, warm crocheted afghans, pie for the constant stream of company, and genuine hospitality know throughout the family. She knew her work was valuable and that leaving home to go to work would mean disaster to marriage, home-life, and children. 

When we've endured hard times now and then, I've been tempted to work at night. I even went back to school once to become a dental hygienist, but our youngest nearly died from a virus contracted at daycare. That ended that. In the end my husband and I pulled ourselves through these times with frugality. We simply did without new clothing, dinners out, concerts and movies, new things, and new cars to keep mother in the home. I learned how to cook with basic ingredients instead of expensive prepared foods. We shopped at thrift stores and bought our books used. I sewed for Christmas and Birthdays. We drove our cars for decades instead of years. Although we were careful with what we had, we believe that stuff is not as important as family. Our children were always first.

However, the thing that really made the difference was daily devotionals to God. I learned to lean on Him in a world where people openly disdained my choices. Even though my children were remarkably well behaved, people felt it their duty to comment negatively on the size of my family. Even though I'm not dull, the other women at school and sports functions said outrageous things about my brain power, assuming my career choice meant I wasn't smart enough for anything else. But God gave me tools to combat hurt feelings and turn them into strengths. He was my rock and my comfort.


"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2