What does “Blissfully Domestic” mean to you? I look at this picture and it makes me smile. I have blue dishwashing gloves – but need a cute apron to complete the outfit.
I always think Martha Stewart when I think of anything blissfully domestic. Of course she has help in her production crews and staff – but she has a pure enjoyment for working in and around her home. Whether its baking or cooking, crafting or sewing, gardening or harvesting – she is enthusiastic and joyful in her process.
And have you seen how excited she gets when she learns something new??? For all of her years of experience and work, when she is able to gain knowledge – and not just share her extensive knowledge – it is sheer pleasure for her.
It’s her attitude.
It’s not just her perfectly arranged kitchen (although that would be SO lovely) – it’s her approach and the attitude she puts on as she approaches a new project.
There’s another “Martha” who gets a lot of flak about her attitude in the kitchen. She has much on her mind – the Saviour of the world is visiting and everything must be perfect. She has a gift for homemaking and hospitality it seems – but she is so caught up in the mundane tasks and focused on having to “do it all alone” that her attitude sours and her joy for preparing and serving others is diminished.
Now Martha Stewart is not perfect. I know this. And Martha in the Bible is just an example of a woman – to whom I can relate far too often – who chose the wrong attitude at a crucial moment.
It’s easy to see that each was blessed with the same gifts and talents – but their attitudes steered their reputation. And it steered/steers their home.
For me – it’s about adopting the attitude of joy (which takes practice) and seeing each opportunity to prepare food for my family as an opportunity to use my gifts to bless them. The opportunity to reduce and eliminate clutter as an opportunity for inviting peace into our home and lives. The opportunity to relax and allow for mistakes knowing that in the end, everything will work out – and it doesn’t have to be perfect.
It’s about BEING like Martha. I just have to decide which one.
BTW: If you like baking, you can find a Cookie of the Day recipe at Martha’s website – they have one for every day of the year!
© 2009 – 2010, Debbie Taylor. All rights reserved.
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