Keeping Busy at Home
Ever feel overwhelmed by the need to keep busy at home? Proverbs 31 shows there’s actually something really good about it.
Have you ever found yourself in a position of not having anything to do at home? Is everything caught up? Are all your projects finished? Do you wonder what to do with an abundance of free time?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve never faced such a predicament – because there’s always laundry to be washed, meal plans or meals to be made, rooms that could stand to be cleaned.
And if you have a family, your responsibilities multiply: instead of taking care of yourself, you’re also in charge of others.
The never-ending to-do lists can seem overwhelming. Even with all the best routines and homemaking systems in place, there’s always something else to do.
But guess what? That’s a good thing! At least it’s something homemakers share with the Proverbs 31 woman.
Proverbs 31: 27 describes:
“She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.”
When you’re looking well to the ways of your household, you will be busy. You’ll always have plenty to do.
What does it mean to “look well”?
Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “looks well” is tsaphah – it means to observe, to keep watch, to lean forward, to peer into the distance.
Homemakers, that means we need to observe and keep watch what’s going on in our home. We need to anticipate what our family needs. We need to be prepared.
When we do that – and act on what we notice – it keeps us busy. We won’t have a chance to eat the bread of idleness when we’re doing our job in the home.
But it’s really easy to feel bogged down and burdened by all of that work.
In the middle of tending to everything, we also need to find a way to embrace the work we have to do as a blessing – because it is.
We’ve been blessed with homes and we’ve been blessed to care for our families. And those homes and family members may not always be around.
Looking well to the way of our households
So how can we, as homemakers, look well to the way of our households?
- We can notice what’s needed – by asking our family members, or checking what’s needed in the kitchen pantry and the medicine cabinet. And once we notice what’s lacking, we can stock up.
- We can help our family get into helpful routines to make life easier – as well as getting into homemaking routines when caring for our homes. Need some help with routines? Here’s a simple way to create one!
- We can make plans for meals and go grocery shopping ahead of time to avoid any last minute dinner rushes.
- We can work on our homes and housework as much as our time and energy allows.
- We can make sure bills are paid on time.
It’s a tall order, for sure – but it’s also a terrific opportunity. Your time will be filled and it will always seem like there’s something to do at home. But it’s well worth it.
Your family will appreciate it more than they even may tell you. Proverbs 31:28-29 reveals one family’s response:
“Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ ”
Just like her, keeping busy around your home is a noble thing. And by faithfully attempting it, hopefully you’ll feel blessed and praised.
What’s going on in your home? What aspects of your day run smoothly? What leaves you frazzled? What routines would you like to start to make life a little easier for you and your family?
Instead of only wondering what Christian homemakers, wives, and mothers could or should do, Proverbs 31 details it for us. The best part? The Proverbs 31 woman’s examples completely apply to life today. And they can help you manage your home.
In Hilary Bernstein’s eBook, Becoming a Modern-Day Proverbs 31 Woman, readers dig into the biblical example of Proverbs 31 woman. The instant download includes 16 insightful chapters that will help you learn how to respect your husband, become an excellent wife, and glorify God with your life. Buy your copy now!
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