Keeper of the Home

I am in a Bible study at church this summer and we are working through the Excellent Wife. If you have read this book before - you know what I'm going through. Whoa doggies! It is totally against everything the culture teaches! This is my second time through the book and it is just as applicable now as it was 5 years ago. I could do this study from now until the day I die (which btw - I hope is a long time from now) and would still gain wisdom from these timeless Truths.

So this week, I am reminded that as a wife and mother, I am the keeper of the home. Oh yes, that means laundry, dirty diapers, scrubbing toilets, cleaning windows, teaching, training, loving and cooking (in no particular order). But it also means that I am responsible (not solely, but largely) for the mood of the home. Ever heard this saying?

When Mama ain't happy,

Ain't nobody happy!

Oh, that can be so true! I feel terrible when my poor husband walks through the door after a long day of work and even longer commute on his bicycle, only to find his girls running chasing each other around like maniacs, dinner barely started, toys from the kitchen to the bedrooms, laundry that was forgotten, and me screaming at the top of my lungs for the girls to, "be nice!!"  Talk about a mood setter.


So as the keeper of my home, I need to strive to set the mood, a GOOD mood that is. Peaceful. Loving. Serving. Harmonious.

How can I do this?

If  I am doing this in my own strength, I will most likely fail. I have proven that time and time again. I need God's help. So I need to start off early - in the morning - by acknowledging my dependence on Him. Glorify Him and pray for help. Meditate on truths of His scriptures such as:


Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.



Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I also need to plan ahead. Sitting down in the morning and making a prioritized list of things that need to happen during the day helps me realize what we do and do not have time for. Planning ahead has me thinking about what we will have for dinner. Something may need to be pulled out of the freezer. I may need to run to the store for more bread. I may need to come home sooner for that meal that takes a little longer to prepare. Then I won't be scrambling at the last minute and feeling frazzled, frustrated and freaked out when my darling husband walks through the door.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.