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Are You Blissfully Domestic?
By CoffeeMom | January 25, 2010
In our world, being “domestic” is equivalent to being demeaned. Being a servant is belittled. Being submissive is scandalous.
And I’ll admit – I have absorbed many of these beliefs myself. Living for more than a decade as a single, adult woman, I considered and accepted far too many worldly views, and forgot much of my own upbringing. I mean, after all, who wants to be the servant? Who wants to be overlooked, “taken for granted”, “unappreciated”?
It is certainly not human nature to want to take second place. It is absolutely human nature to want to stay on top. To be first. To rule and reign.
But God has called each of us who believe in Him to something different. And Jesus LIVED that life as an example for us to follow. While none of us will ever be perfect, He modeled the life here on earth that we are meant to live. And we are called to live like Jesus in the place where we are.
The calling to be a wife and mother – and to live it out daily – is met with MUCH criticism, contempt, and conflicting ideas that bring confusion and dissatisfaction.
But to BE a wife and mother – even a working wife and mother – requires a servant’s heart and attitude.
Do I have one? No, not always. Not even often enough, really.
I struggle with disentangling myself from the ideas of the world that tell me my worth is found in a paycheck and in tangible contributions made to my family. Contributions that can be measured in dollars and cents and net worth. Contributions that are appreciated in verbal praise and noted in a file for future reference. Anything less is well, just, beneath me.
But God has another idea. And HIS way opens the path to true satisfaction and bliss.
While wiping noses and wiping bottoms is not always enjoyable in and of itself – it is NOT the action that matters, but rather the attitude.
And therein lies the key. The attitude we hold and nurture – each of us – in our hearts about our families is absolutely what leads us to a pathway to bliss. Or disappointment. Serenity or discontentment.
This is a hard lesson to learn. I’m in the throes of it now.
Just last week I found myself *anticipating* the opportunity to do laundy and dishes and straighten up the living room before my husband got home.
WHO ME???
And yet, it’s the thing I’ve prayed for. As I read more about Jesus’ sacrificial giving as He walked this earth and talked to people – His willingness to put Himself last in order to serve and meet someone’s needs was always evident.
Is it evident in me? No, not always. Not most of the time. But I’m praying that it becomes so more and more.
If you want to take a look at the Proverbs 31 Woman and her life – which is always SO challenging to me – check out Amy Bayliss’ In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 Bible Study. I’ve started it myself…
If you want to participate in some weekly challenges in pursuit of Domestic Bliss, why not check out Blissfully Domestic’s posts here and here. It’s not too late to join in if you’d like…
I’ll be writing more about Home Keeping tomorrow…
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Topics: Coffee, Family & Kids, Frugal, Housework, On the Home Front | 1 Comment »
January 25th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Great post! I remember one day not too long ago, I was feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed. I complained to the hubs who casually reminded me ~ “But I thought you said all you ever wanted to be was a wife and mother. Isn’t this part of it?” As irritated as I got with him, I knew he was right! Even though Mt. Washmore grows taller each day, dishes continue to pile up in the sink, and little toys find their way under my bare feet, I try to remember to thank God for all those He’s entrusted me to care for.