Several ladies at our church are reading Keeping House, The Litany of Everyday Life, by Margaret Peterson. I have really enjoyed it so far and thought I'd post some of her thoughts.
In the Preface she tells how she was able to meet the needs of a friend as her newborn baby spent 3 months in the hospital dying. This friend had a large supportive church but few were continuously available because of children and/or jobs.
In the Preface she tells how she was able to meet the needs of a friend as her newborn baby spent 3 months in the hospital dying. This friend had a large supportive church but few were continuously available because of children and/or jobs.
Mrs. Peterson states:
I realized that to a large degree,
I did it because I could.
I did it because I could.
I think this is a very key issue! She was available to minister, she could! First, we all have seasons. When the childless (or grown child) season is upon us our first thought should not be to fill that time with a job or 'I'm free to be me'. Titus 2 tells us that we are to be keepers AT home, and as older women we are to be teaching the younger women. After meeting the needs of our husband and home, our time and efforts could be filled with meeting the needs of so many around us.
...time deliberately set aside for keeping house is never just about
"making a home for my family."
Of course housework is about making a home,
but a Christian home, properly understood,
is never just for one's own family.
A Christian home overflows its boundaries;
it is an output of the Kingdom of God,
where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed
and there is room enough for everyone.
"making a home for my family."
Of course housework is about making a home,
but a Christian home, properly understood,
is never just for one's own family.
A Christian home overflows its boundaries;
it is an output of the Kingdom of God,
where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed
and there is room enough for everyone.
Keeping home can be a very mundane activity....
But at the very same time,
housekeeping is about practicing sacred disciplines
and creating a sacred space,
for the sake of Christ as we encounter him
in our fellow household members and in
neighbors, strangers, and guest.
But at the very same time,
housekeeping is about practicing sacred disciplines
and creating a sacred space,
for the sake of Christ as we encounter him
in our fellow household members and in
neighbors, strangers, and guest.
3 comments:
That sounds like a great book! We should always be aware of the practical ways we can help others.
Have I told you how much I enjoy your blog :) I'm Niki, btw, a blogger friend from AZ :) Just wanted to say HI formally and tell you how much I love reading your articles. The inspiration is amazing.
Thank you ladies for such kind words. :o)
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