Biblical domesticity

Domesticity 

"home or family life" "life inside a home"

"the atmosphere is one of happy domesticity"

Biblical domesticity

Creating a home were God is the reason for all things done

She watches over the ways of her household 
(Proverbs 31:27)

Homemaking or biblical domesticity is a noble calling that we should feel honoured that we have been given this privilege which allows us to create a beautiful place for our families.  However, homemaking is either glorified as the ultimate womanly calling or hated as a contributor to the suppression of women everywhere.

The funny thing about homemaking — we all need to do it if we choose to live in a home, otherwise we live in a hovel! So whether we like or not, we still need to do it. But — biblical homemaking is different, its done with a different attitude, a different mindset, a different purpose. 

Its done with God at the centre. 

* We need to "build over our homes": Homes don't just create themselves, adding furniture doesn't create a home — it takes more than just hanging pictures on the wall. A home is a place that provide rest for the weary, comforts the soul, energies the body, a place to provide nourishment and warmth and this requires effort and time and it can't be bought with lots of money or found in a vogue magazine. We women have a responsibility of building our home and it requires work, effort, planning, organising, the right attitude and mindset — being idle and lazy will never build a home, living in a muddle will never build a home nor does procrastination. Be the wise women and accept the challenge! The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1)

* We need to "watch over our homes":  Like the homemaker of Proverbs 31, we too need to watch over our homes and keep an eye out for anything that may require our attention. Our homes are our responsibility and like any good manager, we need to know what is going on, what requires action (is the pantry running low and requires a stock up or does the fridge need a clean) and what might need our scrutiny at a later date (cleaning the oven perhaps or a spring clean). This means we need to be vigilant and watchful as any good manager is of their team. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27)

* We need to "manage our homes": Paul writes that women are to be managers of their homes, to administrate and guide and to preside over it. Young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands. 
 (Titus 2: 4-5) 

Have you ever wondered by Paul wrote this? Because the women of Crete were not taking care of their homes or their families as they should have, no, they were not working outside the home either — if these women were living in the 21st century, they would all be down at the coffee shop or at the gym, busy gossiping, perhaps stopping off to have a wine with lunch, lots of laughter, being silly and forgetting to take proper care of their homes and their families. These women were being idle and lazy which lead to gossiping and being a busybody.   And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Timothy 5:13-14)

Managing our home take time and responsibility and Paul knew that if these women were busy caring for their families and their homes, they would not be sticking their noses in other peoples business! Not much has changed has it — if we are busy and taking care of our families, we too won't have the time to gossip and be idle?! And the consequence of not managing our homes will mean living in mess and chaos which directly affects our families and our own wellbeing.  

* We need to "love our homes": As Elizabeth George says "Love is the world's most powerful motivator. So if you love your home, love being at home, and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all. No task will be be too difficult and no job will be too menial or meaningless."But is is important that the love we are talking about is not the love that idolises and worships our home, but rather a love of doing all things for others and for the Lord. Your task is to create a heaven on earth for those you love — a place with the right atmosphere, feeling and warmth that keeps your family wanting to come back.

Ladies — taking care of our families and our homes is our primary calling, but its important to remember it doesn't mean we can't leave the home or have other interests (as long as they are productive and constructive). Caring for my home doesn't take me all day and I have plenty of time to do other things without neglecting my husband. But for some women, it does take much longer (especially if you have young children and home schooling) and we need to  be understanding to the various family situations, skills and abilities of Christian women.

However you spend your time, make sure that your home and family come first and that the management of your home is not compromised as a result of your activities. It is all about balance.

Home should be the very best place to ever be 

~ Sally Clarkson~