Several years ago, a friend of mine—a busy wife and mother—was living a full life; there was hardly time to sit down. She was occupied with many mundane things like diapers and laundry and crayons and playdough. Once in a while she would lament that there was no time for ministry. At such times I would try to encourage her, pointing out that her ministry at that time was in her home. “Their own household is the first missionary field in which parents are required to labor. Those who leave the home garden to grow up to thorns and briers, while they manifest great interest in the cultivation of their neighbor’s plot of ground, are disregarding the word of God.” Review and Herald, March 21, 1882.
One night, as she was washing the dishes (which were the last hurdle before tucking in the little ones), her mind wandered off in the direction of ministry again. She wondered whether she should be leading Bible studies or be involved in more active evangelism. She was certain God wanted her to do something for Him, but what could it be?
Service to God
Suddenly she knew what He wanted her to do. He wanted her to do the dishes!
But wasn’t there something else He would want her to do? Yes, there was something else. He would want her to do them cheerfully! “The humble round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother’s privilege to bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy to her own heart.” The Adventist Home, 234.
As she thought about this, she realized what she had known all along. God had called her to be a wife, mother, and homemaker. Because of this, all the mundane things she did were sanctified, holy, purposeful, and honoring to God, and she should offer them all to Him. Not only that, she should find contentment and satisfaction in knowing she was doing these things unto the Lord. “If any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified . . . .” 1 Peter 4:11.
When Christian homemakers view their work in this way, it makes all the difference. Work, hard work, no matter how humble the task, is our service to God. If this is true of digging ditches, or washing dishes, certainly it is so when it comes to rearing our children. My friend had a congregation of two right in her home—a Bible school with two students enrolled! “The more fully the spirit of true ministry pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the good of others.” Child Guidance, 36.
Drudgery or Duty to God?
When the mother views managing her home as drudgery, it becomes just that—drudgery. But if she views it as her duty to God, it becomes a joy and a delight. “Many a home is made very unhappy by the useless repining of its mistress, who turns with distaste from the simple, homely tasks of her unpretending domestic life. She looks upon the cares and duties of her lot as hardships; and that which, through cheerfulness, might be made not only pleasant and interesting, but profitable, becomes the merest drudgery. She looks upon the slavery of her life with repugnance and imagines herself a martyr.” The Adventist Home, 248.
If your home is disorganized and untidy, or downright dirty, you are not honoring God in your responsible duties as a wife and mother. We are to learn to manage our households. (See 1 Timothy 5:14.) It is our duty before the Lord, and as such, we must do it well. However, we should remember that all things should be done in a balanced manner.
“In some families there is too much done. Neatness and order are essential to comfort, but these virtues should not be carried to such an extreme as to make life a period of unceasing drudgery and to render the inmates of the home miserable. In the houses of some whom we highly esteem, there is a stiff precision about the arrangement of the furniture and belongings that is quite as disagreeable as a lack of order would be. The painful propriety which invests the whole house makes it impossible to find there that rest which one expects in the true home.
“It is not pleasant, when making a brief visit to dear friends, to see the broom and the duster in constant requisition, and the time which you had anticipated enjoying with your friends in social converse spent by them in a general tidying up and peering into corners in search of a concealed speck of dust or a cobweb. Although this may be done out of respect to your presence in the house, yet you feel a painful conviction that your company is of less consequence to your friends than their ideas of excessive neatness.” The Adventist Home, 152.
Train the Children
One time, when my friend’s children were still very young, I stopped by for a visit. “How do you keep your house so clean?” I asked. She thought for a moment, and then responded, “I work really hard—all the time.” As she accepted the duties of mother and homemaker as her God-given ministry, she realized that she should teach her children more responsibility about the home, thus relieving herself of some of the duties: “Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught the child. As soon as strength and reasoning power are sufficiently developed, he should be given duties to perform in the home. He should be encouraged in trying to help father and mother, encouraged to deny and to control himself, to put others’ happiness and convenience before his own, to watch for opportunities to cheer and assist brothers and sisters and playmates, and to show kindness to the aged, the sick, and the unfortunate. . . .
“Parents, help your children to do the will of God by being faithful in the performance of the duties which really belong to them as members of the family. This will give them a most valuable experience. It will teach them that they are not to center their thoughts upon themselves, to do their own pleasure, or to amuse themselves. Patiently educate them to act their part in the family circle.” Child Guidance, 36.
Other Activities Limited
Being committed to a clean home and clean children rules out many other activities. It can mean little time for creative activities, not too many long phone calls, and not much socializing. The home and the children are the first priority. Bathing the children, keeping their clothes clean, feeding them, and teaching them are all part of a full-time job that requires planning, stamina, and a heart that is committed to work.
Hard work is good for us. It strengthens us and builds character. “The formation of a good character involves hard work and severe self-denial; but it richly repays the effort.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1883.
Idleness is an evil that is destructive. It is also an evil that is accompanied by many other sins. It tears down our families and is dishonoring to God. When you are working hard at home, you do not have time to watch degrading television shows; you do not have time to spend your money recklessly; and you do not have time to fritter on the phone. Your hands are too full of your duties.
“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” 11 Thessalonians 3:11–13.
Do Not Neglect Rest
Certainly I do not mean by this that work excludes all recreational activities and visiting. Anything can be taken too far. The children are more important than your particular cleaning schedule, and we all need rest. Mothers must be able to know when to lay the work aside. But just as our work is “unto the Lord,” so our rest should also be unto Him. This principle helps to establish guidelines for both work and rest. He must bless our rest for us really to enjoy it. He must bless our work for it to be truly fruitful.
Hard Work Rewarded
“[Hard work] is a resistance of the devil. It is the obtaining of daily victory over selfishness, pride, and folly, and the daily cultivation of love, mercy, and beneficence.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1883.
Hard work always bears fruit over time. Children who are loved and fed and washed, and taught to love God, grow up to become productive saints in the household of God.
“The mother’s work is given her of God, to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The love and fear of God should ever be kept before their tender minds. When corrected, they should be taught to feel that they are admonished of God, that He is displeased with deception, untruthfulness, and wrongdoing. Thus the minds of little ones may be so connected with God that all they do and say will be in reference to His glory; and in after years they will not be like the reed in the wind, continually wavering between inclination and duty.” The Adventist Home, 233.
God-Appointed Work
“The Christian mother has her God-appointed work, which she will not neglect if she is closely connected with God and imbued with His Spirit.” The Adventist Home, 234.
“And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23, 24.
Maybe it is time that we all searched our lives to see if we are faithfully serving God in our homes. Not only serving Him, but serving Him cheerfully!
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A member of the LandMarks editorial staff, Anna Schultz writes from her home near Sedalia, Colorado. You may contact her by e-mail at: jschu67410@aol.com.