7 Bible Verses to Create A Heart for Homemaking!
Hey there, friends! If you're following me on Instagram @coolmomandcollected then you may have noticed that "heartful housework" and "joyful homemaking" are some things I'm really working on these days! I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom, and raise my children in the ways of Yahweh (God). Well, here I am, living my dream, buutttttttt I think the reality of how much "cleaning" and "housework" would be involved went right over my head!
Today, I want to share 7 Bible verses to encourage us towards having a heart for housework, and serving our families. I think most people are unaware of how much spiritual significance can be found in each dish we wash, each floor we sweep, and each toy we pick up, so I'd like to delve into this deeper! I don't know where this journey towards heartful homemaking will lead me, but I know Scripture is always the best place to start because Yahweh is the only One who can change our hearts! I hope these Scriptures can help you start to see the beauty in housework as well!
"And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Master, and not unto men." Colossians 3:23
As homemakers, it can be so easy to feel unseen, unappreciated, and unloved. Many of us stay at home moms may even deal with feelings of bitterness due to these built up emotions! We want help. We want acknowledgement. We want a break! Let’s face it, when we work to please man, we will never be fully satisfied. When we humbly do acts of service unto our Holy Father in Heaven who has given us more than we deserve, we can then do work for others with joy, expecting nothing in return. (Be assured, I'm not discouraging, or denying the importance of husbands encouraging and showing gratitude to their wives for all they do. However, I'm highlighting where the forefront of the act of service should lie, and that's doing everything for the Lord, first and foremost.)
So whatever we do, let's not do it for earthly praise, with a poor attitude, or longing for it to be over. Let's do it cheerfully unto the Lord who has given us the ability to do so. Instead of "I have to clean the dishes," let's shift to "I get to do the dishes!" Not only will our homes be happier, but on days when we don't get recognition from man, we'll know that our Father sees and loves us!
"And with delight she works with her hands." Proverbs 31:12
"With delight" means with great pleasure! I'm currently wiping three baby butts in diapers right now, and "pleasure" isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe what I'm feeling! "Naseaus" might be a more accurate word choice! Maybe this is why the Proverbs 31 wife is such a role model woman for us? It's not usually the norm to find pleasure in the “dirty work," but it's possible to find delight in anything when you have Yeshua! Someone told me recently, "Washing dishes means your family is blessed with food!" Likewise, doing laundry means your family has clothing. Cleaning your home means you have a place to sleep. We become robbed of delight and joy in our housework when we feel a sense of entitlement towards these blessings, when in reality not everyone has a sink to clean, or clothing to wash!
“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house." Psalm 128:3a
The Bible compares a good wife to a fruitful vine in the very heart of our home. This held a big conviction for me. Am I a "fruitful vine" in my house? A fruitful wife speaks life over everything she touches, spreading joy like a rampant vine. If the joy of a fruitful wife is contagious to her household, then an unfruitful wife's misery would likely stunts everyone's growth! While this can feel like a heavy responsibility, it really is a beautiful one! This verse encourages me to not let the amount of work I have to do dictate a negative mood that kills the joy in my home, or how I treat others! Instead, I want to use my role and acts of service as opportunities to spread positivity throughout my home and family.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4
I spent most of my youth complaining during household chores and responsibilities. Instead of demonstrating a heart of thankfulness, service, and joy towards my family, I enforced a negative association towards "household duties." (This is what I'm working to undo in my adult life!) I want to view housework in the home as a gift, and as a ministry towards my family. Instead of looking to please myself daily, I want to look to the needs of others. Don't be fooled, homemakers! There's NOTHING meaningless about our role in the home! We are pouring into the mindsets of our husbands, children, and any guests who visit! It seems we hold more purpose than we even realize!
"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense." Proverbs 12:11
It's important for us as the gatekeepers of our home to set wise priorities for ourselves. During the precious time that we’re given to care for our homes, we should firstly invest heavily in things that truly matter and make a spiritual impact; things like loving our husband, discipling our children in the Father, teaching them His ways, and sharing the love of Yeshua with everyone that enters. Don't be fooled, the time we put into creating an atmosphere of love for our children, our husband, and others while in our home truly matters!
"She watches over the ways of her household, and doesnt eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27
This Proverbs 31 woman is clearly active/intentional in her house, AND she manages to avoid being idle. That's impressive! Do you know how many times I've fallen into creating poor household habits because I binged Youtube instead of cooking, or I surfed Instagram for an hour instead of doing the dishes? (Of course, I believe that times of rest for homemakers are necessary, but I don't think we should make a habit of idelness to the extent that we neglect our responsibilities. I'm also so thankful for our weekly Sabbath, and how the Father created a time to ensure that we rest in Him!) It's the moments where we choose to place the desires of our household above our own that we are acting out selfless love to the people in our homes!
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal." Matthew 6:19
When our current decor doesn't align with the image we want for our homes, we must be reminded of what is truly important. It's not the cohesive theme throughout our house, or the Pinterest-inspired headboard that will leave an impact on our families, or the world. So let's not stress over that! We must not give greater value to earthly things over spiritual things in our homes. Instead, let's remember that this world is not our "home." Our identity is not found in how good of a decorator we are. Our identity is found in Yeshua! It's important we don't elevate homemaking to that of an idol where our duties or decor take us away from our contentment in Him!
I hope these Scriptures and my thoughts helped encourage you on your outlook towards heartfelt homemaking! Do you have any thoughts to add? Share in the comments below!! This role of homemaker to our family is truly a gift with a great impact, and I pray that together we can start to live out it’s value! Happy Homemaking!!
Cool, Calm, and Collectedly Yours,
