Who Guides the House?

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 5:14 that a woman is to guide her house. (Not be the head of it, but guide it.)

I will therefore that the younger women: 
  1. marry
  2. bear children 
  3. guide the house
  4. give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully
 
We can see that after marriage and bearing children, that our work is guiding the house.  And it's very important. Never think of your job as a homemaker and housewife, as less than absolutely vital.  It is so huge.  And you are irreplaceable. 

Who else sees to it that the house is running smoothly, there are regular meals, boo boos kissed, clean places to eat, organized places to play, sanitary places to wash and soothing places rest?   Wives and Mothers.



We are indispensable in this most noble calling.  If we want to know what work the Lord has given us to do, we need turn to no other source than the Bible. 


When we guide our house, we are taking charge of the day. A wise woman looks around her, sees what needs to be done and then she sets her sights on accomplishing the tasks before her.

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.


Some of the activities that the Bible mentions that women are to do is sew. It is common to see ladies in old black and white movies resting comfortably in the evening while doing their mending or sewing projects.

Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
Notice that it is the wise women who got busy here.  They wasted no time in getting lots of clothes and linens made.  Sewing is becoming a lost art.  If you don't know how, why not begin learning now?  Depending on your budget you could,
  1. teach yourself  through library books, youtube tutorials, etc.
  2. take classes at a local fabric store,
  3. take private lessons,
  4. learn some basics from a friend who sews. 

Which ever way works for you, sewing is a skill that God considers a very wise choice for a woman.  Yet more scripture extolling the praises of this humble but valuable task:

Proverbs 31:19-24 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.

Make Lists

Busy homekeepers have too many irons in the fire to keep everything in our heads.  We need to get in the habit of making lists.  Write it down or wear a frown. (Ha, that rhymes.  :-)  Seeking God in prayer and reading from scripture every day gives us refreshment and strength to build your house. 
Guide Your House

This is not to be confused with being the head or leading in the family.  Notice the wording - guide the house. This is referring to house keeping, teaching and training the children, planning menus, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.

God has made us uniquely qualified for this precious position.  And it takes all we have in us.  So invest your heart and soul into guiding your house.  Give selflessly, love lavishly, laugh freely and work diligently.  Your rewards are great. 
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
I don't know what your work load is, how much you have on your shoulders or how little support you may have at this season in your life.  But the Lord does.


Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
We do not need priests in white collars, we don't need rosaries, or confessions or sacraments or good works or devotions or lots of Christian life books in order to live righteously before the Lord.  We need only call upon His Name.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.



WHOSOEVER, pron. who, so, and ever. Any one; any person whatever.

God says that HE and he alone is our strength, comfort, healer, rock, fortress, strong tower, high priest, deliverer and Saviour. Those of us who are believers, whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, have access to the very throne of God every day. That is mind blowingly awesome.


Make your home homey. 

Guide your own house, ladies.  Don't let your children run the day. Don't let outside activities, friends and social events intervene in how you guide your house. 
It can be easy to forget these things which is why I felt like writing about them today.  I need to be reminded frequently and often.  :-)
Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Proverbs 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
A good woman is precious in God's sight.  So I just wanted to say to all of you who are tired, weary, worn out, frustrated, under appreciated, overwhelmed and burdened, you do not have to stay there.  You have the authority and mandate of God to guide your house. 

You have been authorized to bring your children into compliance and fill their time with useful things.  Teach them responsibility, teach them to love others.  Show them by example how to treat others as you'd like to be treated. 

I am going to think today about how I currently fulfill this tall order of guiding my house.  Maybe there are areas I am doing well and others I am slacking. 

But the good news is that every day is filled with new mercy and whatever yesterday was, is gone.  All I can do with yesterday is learn from it.  But I can't live in it. Today is new and God has called us to walk in newness of life.  So let us walk.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.


Comments

Jessica said…
What a great post! Thank you!
Thanks for your comment, Jessica! God bless!

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