I love the story of the Shunammite Woman in the Old Testament. She recognizes that Elisha is a prophet of God who often passes through Shunem. She goes the extra mile to provide a sanctuary for him to rest and stay during his travels. She seems to have thought of everything he would need.
“And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
“Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” (2 Kings 4:9-10)
Now that doesn’t seem like much does it? Especially in our modern day full-of-conveniences lifestyles, but it was enough. There was a place to sleep, a place to eat, a place to sit and study. The Shunammite Woman knew the art of homemaking. Elisha acknowledges she had been “careful for us with all this care.”
Do we take our roles of creating our homes seriously? Do our families also recognize we have been “careful for them with all this care?” Do we know the art of homemaking?
Homemaking is done in the simplest of gestures, in what most would label the mundane tasks of life. It is the little touches that make a world of difference. Who isn’t refreshed by clean sheets, a vase of flowers gracing the table, warm bread from the oven, or words read from the scriptures?
“Our two most sacred buildings are the temple and the home. A family dinner table, surrounded by parents and children who share their laughter and their lives, is a sacred setting—not just a place setting. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and that kingdom is, first of all, in your home. “Home-work” is the Lord’s work.” Bruce C. Hafen
I love that imagery! How often have I stopped to look at my family seated around the dinner table and just soaked up the laughter and love? I tell you not often enough.
Our task as homemakers is to create a refuge from the world, a heaven on earth, where our family feels safe, secure and loved. And then to enjoy it all with them.
Homemaking is often described as an art. And it is.
art–noun
1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
Our homes are of more than ordinary significance. They are of eternal significance and value!
“The most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes”
(Harold B. Lee)
As with any art there are many aspects and areas to think of when creating a home. Yes there is the cleaning, the laundry, the cooking, the budgeting. But there is also the decorating, the music, the spiritual teaching, the nurturing, the doctoring, and so much more.
Homemaking is whatever you make of it. Every day brings satisfaction along with some work which may be frustrating, routine, and unchallenging. But it is the same in the law office, the dispensary, the laboratory, or the store. There is, however, no more important job than homemaking. As C. S. Lewis said, “A housewife’s work … is the one for which all others exist.”(James E. Faust, How Near to the Angels, April 1998)
There is reassurance and comfort for the whole family when the time has been taken for the simple everyday tasks to be done. Yes, they are mundane, but they need not be boring, not when the proper perspective is kept.
All these are a part of the art of homemaking in my home. Chances are they are also a part of yours. Isn’t that beautiful?
This post is part of a blogger round-up to “Elevate the Term Homemaker.” Visit these other fabulous bloggers to read their inspiring words!
Lara @ Overstuffed Life | Heidi @ One Creative Mommy | Jessica @ Jessica Poe
Jill @ LDS Scripture Literacy | Montserrat @ Cranial Hiccups
Mandy @ A Bliss Complete | Jocelyn @ We Talk of Christ | Jen @ Moss Moments
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I discovered your blog a couple of months ago. I must say, your perspectives are a breath of fresh air.
I am a mother of 6, soon to be 7, and there are so few that applaud and truly value the work I embrace wholeheartedly. I too am a wife, a mother, and a home-maker. Thank you, thank you for sharing your example and wisdom.
This post makes me want to stop what I’m doing and go do something to make my home a better place! Thank you.
I absolutely love this! Thank you for putting into words what I’ve been feeling as the Spirit has been teaching me about this work!
The idea of homemaking as art really touched me. Thank you for your lovely insights.
I love your pictures of the everyday things, and the Bruce C Hafen quote. Like others have said, it makes me want so much to create that kind of happy home for my family. Beautiful.
I just read this and it is such a lovely description of homemaking and so close to how I often feel.