Finding joy in the everyday

...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians  4:11 I have been home for the last three weeks. I have enjoyed lunches with my husband,  romantic walks, sewing, re-arranged cupboards that really didn't really need  re-arranging,    sorting out my winter clothing, reading books in the sunshine and visiting the library to stock up on more. I enjoyed eating breakfast in bed whilst I read, I had lunch with my eldest son and breakfast with my youngest, I watched DVDs on rainy afternoons and I planted out annuals for winter. I also did the usual housework which never takes very long, baked and make dinner most nights (unless my husband spoils me and cooks). Who wouldn't want to be at home. It is quiet and rather blissfull. If I was at home, this is what my life would look like. It would be perfect - who wouldn't want a life like this.  Have you ever wondered if I would swap work for home?  Of course, I would ...

I can do all things things  through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13 Not all women have the luxury of being at  home all the time. Whilst many women would like to be at home, it isn't always possible for many reasons and these reasons are generally not about buying a second TV or going a grand holiday, its about paying the bills. I work full-time. I am no superwoman.   But I have found ways of making sure my family comes first, that my husband’s needs are met, that my home remains my responsibility and that I don’t walk through the door at the end of the day and collapse on the floor – a wreck after a busy day. How you may ask? I am very organised, my home never looks like a cyclone has gone through it. I keep on top of my housework (which is much easier and quicker when the house is tidy) and I don’t let things slip.  I follow a routine so I know when things need to be done. But most importantly I have a job that doesn...

by Daniel Gerhartz   Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5 Are you content in the role God has given you? For those of you that are stay at home wives and mothers, your answer is highly likely to be yes. But would you be surprised that I will also said yes, I am content (and happy) in my role as a full-time worker outside of the home. God has placed me in a different role and I am content in the role I have been given. I could grumble everyday at work and " wish " that I was at home doing all those things I want to do. But that isn't God's plan for me and it would be very wrong to covet what I don't have.  This would only lead to bad feelings, negative emotions, anger . . . and these things spread like a virus and infect the whole family. We all must find peace and happiness in our roles and I have.  This is my calli...

Why is there such negative views towards women who stay at home.  I have participated in a number of conversations recently and if stay-at-home mums come up in the conversation, the comments are almost always negative and derogatory. This appears to be also the case when I read articles in our mainstream  newspapers. I just don’t understand why. I thought we lived in an age of equality, which allows (encourages) men and women to make choices, isn’t this the manta of feminism — empowering women to make choices — however it would appear that women who decide not to enter the workforce or leave the workforce and stay at home are viewed as making the wrong decision, which basically says there isn’t really any choice at all. And why, when the children start school, does society says to mums “ it is now time for you to return to work ” — believing that once the youngest child is at school there is no justification for a mother to remain at home. If mothers do stay at home they ...