Sometimes when we're reading a Homemaking Series, we might think the ladies who write these have every part of their lives together. Let me be the first to tell you; I don't have it all together.
Some people may say I'm hypocritical by writing about something I haven't mastered in my own life, but my reason for writing is because it is an area the Lord continues to grow me in. If bloggers only wrote about areas they have mastered, then there probably wouldn't be too many blog posts.
I can assure you no one has a perfect marriage, family, or home while living on this fallen earth but that doesn't mean we just throw in the towel and stop trying. I am reminded in God's Word to persevere and work heartily as unto the Lord, and this includes my normal day-to-day life of caring for a family and home.
For me, this is the majority of my time taking care of my family and home. It doesn't mean I don't have ministry needs outside my home it is just the reality that home is where most of my time is spent.
When I write a blog post, it is an encouragement to me to press on and strive towards Christ-likeness with the work of the indwelling Spirit within me. While I'm on this earth, in this body of flesh, I will never reach an area of perfection in anything. My encouragement as a wife, mother, and blogger is to continue to encourage us to press onward towards the goal and not give up because we don't see the results we would like to.
“God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” ~John Piper
My heart's desire is to love my husband and family well. To manage my home well. To be kindhearted sharing the love of Christ always. To respond with an attitude that is honoring to the Lord. To make good use of the time the Lord has given me. To be hospitable and meek in spirit. The reality is – I fail daily.
My greatest comfort in this world is that Jesus Christ is enough. He is enough on the days when everything goes wrong and on the days when it seems that everything is falling apart. There is no greater news than I have been forgiven. I am a child of the King, my sins have been forgiven, and heaven is my eternal home. This great news keeps my eyes on the eternal and reminds me of the important calling I have from the Lord as a wife and mother.
Let me share with you some of my weaknesses and alongside them are the blog posts I've written that speak truth into my life:
I don't get dressed every morning, and I sleep in sometimes – Homemaking 101 Series: Getting Dressed
My response to my husband is not always kind – Are You Kind to Your Husband?
Some weeks go by, and I have failed to menu plan – What's for Dinner? (Actually, that may be the question that night.)
I don't weekly bless my home every week – Weekly Home Blessing
I am created to be a helper to my husband – that doesn't happen so well every day – 18 Ways to Be Your Husband's Helper.
Some days I have been to “busy” to pray – Busyness is not Godliness
Many a Sunday we are rushing out the door in the morning – Preparing Our Families for Sunday Morning Worship
I struggle with the sin of comparison. I need this reminder daily – The “If Only” Syndrome
I don't always resist gossip – How to Resist Gossip
This list could go on for quite a while, but the point I want to make is I write because these are areas the Lord continues to challenge and grow me in. The Lord is continuing to change me as I spend time with Him in His Word. He works in me as I deal with the everyday trials and difficulties of life in this fallen world. He works in me as I celebrate the many joys of this beautiful life He has gifted us with.
I share in this little community not to have you think I have it all together but to remind you that you are not alone in your struggles.
Let's keep striving and working and encouraging each other to live lives that bring honor and glory to the Lord. As Christians, our desire is not to have a perfect family or home as a trophy for all to see but to point others to Jesus Christ. We do that by living lives that honor Him and sharing the truth of His Gospel to a lost world around us. He doesn't leave us alone – He is with us always!
As Christians, our desire is not to have a perfect family or home as a trophy for all to see but to point others to Jesus Christ.All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”
~Elisabeth Elliot
Related Resources:
Podcast Ep 6: What Does Self-Discipline Look Like in Our Homes?
Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms by Gloria Furman
Marci, I just subscribed to your podcast about a week ago because I was looking for something to listen to while I cleaned the house during my three year olds nap time. I was originally looking for something that would give me tips, help with a routine and make my work easier to accomplish with a very active toddler under foot. I got way more and I’m so glad I stumbled on to your podcast which led me to your website!
One thing that really spoke to me was how you said in your thirties you went from being atheist to Christian. This struck me! I’m 33, I have always considered myself an atheist except for the past year something has changed and I’m not sure what. How did you come to realize you’re a Christian, what changed for you? How did understand fully what your spiritual path was meant to be?
Mary, I’m so glad you’re here and thank you for taking the time to comment. I love your question about my Christianity. I knew and heard things about God but I had no interest in spiritual things. As I look back now, I can see the Lord was drawing me in various ways and I had just attended a church service with a friend and fully heard the truth about Jesus and Who He is – I realized when I came home that I didn’t know or really wasn’t known by Jesus.
God opened my eyes to understand and believe the truth about Jesus – that He is God in the flesh. I for the first time saw myself as a sinner – I would have before that never thought of myself that way – I just would have thought I was a pretty good person but with God being the standard I knew I fell short and couldn’t get to heaven by my good works. It was clear at that moment that I needed a Saviour and Jesus’ words that He is the way, the truth and the life became clear to me. I wanted to tell others, I wanted to read the Bible, I just wanted to know everything about Him.
Mary, I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to reveal Jesus to you. Spend time in God’s Word and read through the book of John. You can email me anytime at thankfulhomemaker@gmail.com if you want to chat some more too. If you’d like to chat by phone let me know that in your email. Praying for you my new friend.
I love this post! Thanks for keeping it real! I can totally relate!! You’ve gained a subscriber. 🙂 I have a faith-based blog as well. It’s dailyhisdisciple.com, I would love for you to check it out!
Thank you so much Annie. I’m going to take a peek at your blog today. Excited for you. I’m just seeing your email this morning too and will get back to you this week. So thankful to have you as part of my little community xo
Thank you for sharing, Marci! your words are so refreshing and challenging. As bloggers, we must be an honest light in the world, and not provide a phony perfect life up on a pedestal, and you nailed it! Grateful for your wisdom 🙂 -Karli
I always stick with Gal. 6:9 never grow tired of doing good. It’s easy to get weary when serving others and always doing. So I think rereading the story of mary and martha and our purpose here helps me refocus and press on towards the proper goal thought Christ Jesus.
Wonderful… thank you. So encouraging. I love that quote by Elisabeth Elliot! Going to read this post again tomorrow!