being a homemaker {day four}

Lately it is SO easy for me to get wrapped up in “perfect”.  I have to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect homemaker.  I don’t know about anyone else, but “perfect” is hard!!!

Today I’m looking at ways that I can be more intentional as a homemaker.  Notice that I did not say perfect homemaker…..because I can try all day and that just isn’t going to happen.

Anyone who has known me for more than a week probably knows that I am a pretty typical “type A” personality.  I like love schedules, routine, plans, and organized spaces.  Chaos and I…..we’re not the best of friends.  I don’t much care for his lackadaisical attitude and seeming uninterest in anything clean or orderly.

I’m going to take us back really quickly to one of our favorite bible women, Mrs. Proverbs 31.  Here are just a few of her marvels:

• She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.     Not just early ~ BEFORE DAWN, PEOPLE!!!  But, hey, she has servant girls, so it evens out, right??  😉
• She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
• She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

This woman is seriously putting me to shame here.  I can’t remember the last time I was up “before dawn” preparing breakfast for my household.  I am definitely not always energetic.  In fact, if you catch me before I’ve had my first cup of coffee you would might think I was still asleep.  And as much as I don’t like to admit it…..I do suffer from the occasional bout of laziness (please tell me I’m not alone here?!)

But, I honestly have a desire to be the best wife and mother that I can be for my family.  And that requires me to be a good steward of my home.  Five months ago, Husby and I made the decision that I would quit my full-time job and stay at home with our kids.  I knew then that my job duties would include cooking, cleaning, etc.  And I was JOYFUL at the thought!  But can I just be real with you all for a minute here and admit that I was naively excited because I thought it would be easier than it is! 

But, you know what??  When I go to bed at the end of my long day, and I can look back and know that my kids were cared for, my husband was cared for, and my home is well-kept…..I feel successful.  And so, no matter how “hard” it may seem at times….my heart is STILL JOYFUL at the chance that I get every day to show my family that I love them by making sure their most basic needs are met.

To my Husby and my beautiful Littles,

I can promise you that I won’t always have good days.  I will most likely burn dinner every now and then.  I might will definitely leave laundry in the washer and/or dryer overnight.  And if you arise before dawn looking for breakfast…..well, you will more than likely be disappointed (and hungry).  But, I promise to be intentional about keeping our house clean and organized, preparing meals that are homemade and healthy (most of the time), and I will always consider is a blessing to be the “homemaker” in our home.

All my love,

Mom