What I Do When I Forget My Purpose in Homemaking
Wish you could remember your purpose in homemaking? When I forget my purpose in homemaking, I’ve found it’s not so hard to rediscover!
Homemaking is a thankless chore.
Think about it. Day in and day out, your efforts are obliterated. Dirty dishes pile up. Dirty laundry multiplies even before you can get everything washed, dried, folded and put away. All of the groceries you shop for disappear in a hurry.
Over and over and over again, your homemaking responsibilities repeat.
And if you’re trying to work for the praise and thankfulness of others? Well, you better forget it.
I like getting my garbage collected each Tuesday morning, but I don’t thank my garbage man. I appreciate how my husband works hard every day, but I forget to thank him every day. I’m grateful when my kids help out around the house, but I don’t remember to thank them every single time.
In the same way, just as I forget to thank people who make my life easier and better for me, other people forget to thank me.
If I pondered the thanklessness, I could get bitter in a hurry. I could start holding grudges. And I could resent my homemaking.
But when I stop and consider that there’s purpose in my homemaking … well, that’s a game changer.
Purpose in homemaking!?
Purpose in homemaking may sound like a strange concept – unless, of course, you consider the purpose of homemaking as a necessity to living. After all, without homemaking, basic things like food, clothing and your home would be pretty disastrous.
But finding purpose in your homemaking can help transform the most thankless job into one you’re grateful to have.
When I forget my purpose in homemaking and drift along in my home and family, I’ve found that I can remember it again by thinking about 2 basic concepts:
1. Homemaking makes lives better.
When I remind myself that I can actually improve my life and the lives of my husband and children by the way I care for our home, homemaking becomes a blessing. It’s not a waste of time to care for my home or my family. Rather, it helps change lives, even if it’s in little ways.
The atmosphere of your home really does matter.
Instead of thinking it’s all drudgery, I’m able to look for ways to improve my homemaking, create a haven, and maximize my time to make it easier and more enjoyable. For instance, everyone in my home loves food. By taking the time to shop wisely and make real food, it makes all of us happy.
I’ve also noticed that every single person in my home gets stressed out when messes are in every room. Instead of tolerating my own grumpiness – or my husband’s sour attitude or my kids’ crazed behavior, I prioritize cleaning messes and take time to pick up and organize our living spaces.
When I do that, our lives our noticeably different. We’re less crabby and less stressed. If I can reduce stress and grumpiness just by keeping things picked up, you better believe I find time to do it!
As I take the time to consider my homemaking responsibilities and find ways to improve them, homemaking gets quicker and easier. Rather than just enduring housework, I can look forward to it.
2. Homemaking is a way to glorify God.
When I remember that I need to glorify God in whatever I do, I know homemaking definitely is included. Since my home and family both are big blessings, I should be a wise steward of them – and joyfully care for them.
To remember that stewardship, it’s easy to find my purpose in homemaking. I want to care for my home, because it’s a great tangible way to show my family I love them. It’s a fantastic way to meet their needs.
Could they live without my homemaking? Sure. But I know that caring for our home makes their lives better.
If I can please God by caring for my family well through something like homemaking, that’s the best reason for me to pursue homemaking.
When I still could use some help
Homemaking isn’t easy, though. And in the busyness of life, it’s easier to forget that homemaking makes lives better and homemaking is a way to glorify God. Far too often I concentrate on other things like my calendar or what I’d rather do with my time.
Even when my homemaking responsibilities repeat over and over and over again day after day, I’ll consider the purpose in my homemaking. And that will be the game changer as I kiss my bitterness, grudges and resentment goodbye.
Need a reminder??
I still need reminders that homemaking really is important. You might too. That’s one of the main reasons I absolutely love the Ministry of Homemaking’s annual online conference.
Every fall, I’m reminded why I should be doing the things I should be doing through the conference. I’m challenged to improve in my home and with my family. And I’m inspired to try new things.
Without fail, I feel encouraged and energized once the conference is over. And without fail, by each fall, I’m ready for some more encouragement.
This year’s Homemaking Ministries’ conference is all about Finding Purpose in Homemaking.
(This year will be the fourth Homemaking Ministries’ conference I’ve spoken at … and I learn so much from the other speakers AND the participants. I’m talking about Finding Purpose Through Creating a Haven … and can hardly wait!)
Twenty-three different speakers will share their wisdom over five days – but since it’s an online conference, the sessions always are available. Even when the conference is over. So later in the year, when I could use some inspiration, I can watch any of the sessions at any time.
If you could use some help as you find your purpose in homemaking – or simply need reminded of your purpose – get your ticket now.
Through this year’s Homemaking Ministries’ online conference, I already know I’ll learn more about finding purpose in my homemaking. And I’ll be reminded that homemaking is so much more than a thankless chore.
I’ve shared what helps me remember my purpose in homemaking. But I’d love to know … what do you do to help yourself remember your purpose in homemaking?
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All images courtesy of Unsplash.
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Hilary, thanks for these reminders!
Thank you for this. I’m going to go finish cleaning the kitchen and set the coffee for the morning now. I almost didn’t just because….ugh. But…….you are right and I needed the reminder.
I love homemaking. When I was growing up my Mom always had a clean organized home. Everyday there was a list of things mentally she would do. Our home was peaceful and clean and orderly . She fixed 3 meals a day. Canned vegetables and fruit in the summer for the Winter months. Her and Daddy both were very organized . They taught us take care of things because we couldn’t afford to go out and replace just like that. I don’t think anyone can afford if the truth is told. They were very wise people. There was dirty dishes left . We washed our dishes as we messed them up and as soon as we finished eating each meal. Mom had certain days she did the laundry and certain days to iron and certain days to scrub the floors. She made all our dresses . They had a truck garden and a fruit orchard . My Dad was a farmer. They raised 4 girls and 4 boys. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for any other. Well this is just part of my story. I enjoy cleaning my home and cooking and washing dishes by hand and I love my flower garden and getting my hands dirty.