I originally wrote this post for a blog I kept years ago; and then I re-posted it here about 2-1/2 years ago. So, since this coming week, our sermon will be on Eph. 5:21-33, & new people read this blog every year, I thought I would re-post it. (With a few tweaks here & there.) I hope you are blessed. K~
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I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…"
~G. K. Chesterson
Ever
have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if
the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are
constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice
just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to
his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never
fear . . . SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role
as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly
giving it all over to her. But . . . does that really bring peace to the
situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and
children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?
There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role
in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression
of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.
As
SAHM/homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership
role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been
giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver,
peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay
that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.
In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles)
each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no
purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then
make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great
disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in
our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!
God
has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are
willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the
man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him
to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT
about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about
restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one
of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I
have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further
than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true
submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!
Moreover,
what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old
saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.”
What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a
tendency to work their way through a household, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?
As
we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in
prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible
before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her . . . ” (Eph. 5:25)
I
certainly realize that we SAHM/homeschool moms have a lot on our plates
already . . . but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and
those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to
respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.
Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><
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The Chesterton quote is the best I've ever read on feminism!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Thistle Cove Farm; I'm happy to become a follower of your fine blog.
A question about laundry detergent...I have Very Hard water and the detergent doesn't clean very well. Do you do anything to boost the efficacious qualities?
Love your header photo...fabulous!
Thank you, so much, for your kind words & for visiting the Pantry. About the detergent, I will often add some Oxy Clean to my whites & more soiled items. This detergent is also a fantastic pre-wash treatment ~ take an old toothbrush & scrub stains or grimy areas about 15-30 minutes before washing.
ReplyDeleteK<><
Kim, just wanted to leave a note and say I have a new blog "peace of mind" please stop by for a visit...
ReplyDelete~~Blessings~~