There’s definitely been a rise in “modern homemaking”. Women who long to be home again. Make their house a haven of rest. Though it sounds lovely, in reality, it is tough at times. Find encouragement for the homemaker and that you’re not alone in this journey.
Why be a homemaker?
A homemaker is a person who manages a household, typically a person who is responsible for the tasks associated with maintaining a home, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, and other household chores. Homemakers may be individuals who are not employed outside the home or who work part-time or full-time from home. They may be responsible for caring for children or other dependents and managing household finances and other administrative tasks.
Homemaking is diverse. I would say that a homemaker works several jobs. She’s juggling all aspects of the home with the goal to make the home a safe and lovely place to be.
What makes homemaking so challenging?
It seems that with the rise of “modern homemaking”, the struggle to manage the home rises as well. I see homemakers share daily about their struggles. How hard it can be to find joy, how far away God seems, and how lonely the journey is. Why is that? Isn’t this duty supposed to be a joy-filled one?
Let’s start by saying that everyone is different. Circumstances can differ, making things perfectly doable for one lady and an immense burden for another.
I found that these five things keep coming up. Let’s take a closer look at those five struggles and read on to find encouragement for the homemaker to deal with them all.
- Loneliness
- Repetitive work
- No financial reward
- Fruits visible in the long run
- Not valued by society
- Loneliness
I think this because a homemaker is oftentimes still associated with a lady who has nothing else to do besides cleaning the house all day. And since it can’t be measured in any monetary value, it’s a job that’s hard to value for many.
Perhaps, that is why so few choose to stay at home nowadays and that leaves little company for those who still do. Loneliness is very real and can definitely steal away your joy as a homemaker.
If you struggle with loneliness there may be some valuable information in my blog post on loneliness in motherhood. Even if you’re not a mom, you might gain helpful insights there. We’ll dive a little more into finding joy later in the post, so definitely keep reading!
- Repetitive work
Household tasks are repetitive because they are an essential part of maintaining a home. Some tasks need daily attention. From cleaning and cooking to laundry and organization, homemakers are responsible for ensuring that their households are running smoothly. While some may view these tasks as mundane or even menial, they are an important aspect of daily life.
- No financial reward
Household tasks are repetitive because they are an essential part of maintaining a home. Some tasks need daily attention. From cleaning and cooking to laundry and organization, homemakers are responsible for ensuring that their households are running smoothly. While some may view these tasks as mundane or even menial, they are an important aspect of daily life.
- Fruits visible in the long run
A lot of the homemakers daily work bears fruit for just a short while, if any. When she cleans the home, chances are than she needs to do the very same thing again the next day. But remember that keeping order in the home instills character in the homemaker and those she lives with. Those character traits will be very valuable in a few years from now!
- Not valued by society
If you expect some kind of respect from society, and generally from those around you… Don’t become a homemaker. I remember when I went to our family doctor for the first time (we just moved) to give them some information about us to complete our files. The lady behind the desk asked me what my day job was, so I replied I didn’t have one outside of the home. With a somewhat puzzled, still trying to be friendly face she asked the same question again. I replied that I stayed home to care for our daughter. With a much less friendly tone, the question was asked again. For the third time, still trying to remain friendly, I replied that I really did not work outside the home, but choose to stay at home. It was like she never heard of such a thing.
How to be an encouragement to the homemaker?
Encouraging a homemaker can be a wonderful way to show appreciation for their hard work in creating a beautiful and comfortable home. Here are some ways to encourage a homemaker:
- Express your appreciation for their homemaking efforts, whether it’s a clean home, a delicious meal, or a cozy atmosphere.
- Share quotes, proverbs, and Bible verses that speak to the importance and beauty of homemaking. You can find many encouraging quotes and verses on the internet that you can share with the homemaker.
- Offer to help with household tasks or errands, especially if the homemaker is feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
- Give the homemaker some time off to pursue their interests or hobbies, or to simply relax and recharge.
- Organize a gathering of homemakers to share ideas, experiences, and encouragement. This can be a great way to build a supportive community of like-minded women who are all pursuing the art of homemaking.
Remember, the work of a homemaker is often undervalued and overlooked, but it is an essential and beautiful contribution to the home and to society. By showing encouragement and support to a homemaker, you can help them feel appreciated and empowered in their pursuit of creating a warm and welcoming home.
Why is encouragement so beneficial?
For many women, homemaking is not just a job, but a calling. Encouragement for homemakers can be found in quotes and proverbs from all over the world.
In the Bible, there are many verses that speak to the value of hard work and the importance of household duties.
“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” – Proverbs 31:27-28
This passage speaks to the significance of homemaking and the impact that it can have on those around us.
Christian homemakers can find additional encouragement in God’s word.
“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
This verse reminds us that even the most ordinary work can be done for the glory of God.
Abraham Lincoln once said,
“The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people.” – Abraham Lincoln
This statement underscores the importance of homemaking in society. Homemakers are responsible for creating safe and comfortable environments for their families, which in turn contributes to the strength of our communities.
Even as society changes and more women enter the workforce, homemaking remains an important pursuit. Whether you are a company director or a stay-at-home mom, the work of creating a comfortable and nurturing home is vital. Homemaking quotes and bible verses can serve as an encouraging reminder of the importance of this work, and inspire us to do our best in our own homes.
Finding joy as a homemaker
Homemaking can be a challenging task, and it is not uncommon to experience a lack of joy at times. However, there are ways to overcome this and find encouragement in the pursuit of homemaking.
In the Bible, there are many verses that speak to the value of homemaking and the joy that can come from it. Proverbs 14:1 says,
“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. “
This verse highlights the importance of the work that homemakers do and the impact it can have on their families.
Another Bible verse that can be encouraging is Philippians 4:4-7, which says,
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
This verse reminds us that joy comes from our relationship with God and that we can find comfort in His presence. We can come to him in prayer. With thanksgiving we can make our requests known to Him and he will hear us. Next, the promise is found that we can have the peace of God!
Ultimately, the pursuit of homemaking should be rooted in a desire to serve God and love our families well. As we seek to do our best in this role, we can find joy in the small victories and the moments of connection with our loved ones. Focus on the longterm benefits and know that you are not alone. A lot of homemakers experience the same struggles.
Let’s conclude…
- Read your Bible every day to have fellowship with God first.
- Try to connect with other likeminded homemakers. Even if that’s via Instagram for instance. It can help take away the feeling that you’re the only one.
- Be an encouragement to other homemakers
- Know that your value does not lie in how society views or thinks of homemakers.
- Keep the long term goal in mind
- Read books that inspire. (I have a list of best books for the homemaker here).
May we find encouragement in the pursuit of creating warm and welcoming homes for those we love.
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