What Can I Do After The Cleaning's Done?
I have been
a homemaker since I was 16 years old- 36 years in total.
I love a clean house, and I plan and clean, but after
the cleaning is over, my heart asks ‘now what?’ I don’t
find that housework in itself brings me full
satisfaction in my Christian life. It is my
responsibility before God to run my household well and
to look after my family, but what about after that’s
done for the day? I mean, after 36 years, you do get
housekeeping down to a fine art! Over the years I have
found ways that I can work from my home and serve Christ
and others.
Now I
realize that there are many home-based businesses you
can do, but I am specifically talking about ministry-
acts of charity and kindness one can do from home. With
small children at your feet, and suppers baking in ovens
and simmering in crockpots. Laundry tumbling happily in
the laundry room and no freedom to leave the home. And
really there is no need. As Keepers of The Home, it is
to our advantage to be at home-for then people will know
where to find you. But therein lies the problem:; how do
we satisfy that craving to serve Christ and others more
fully whilst still being Keepers of the Home? How can we
show charity and acts of kindness to others whilst at
home?
There are
many ways one can be charitable and kind to others
without leaving home. Here are some of the things I have
done with children around me, and now grandchildren.
* I have
baked for the woman down the street who was on bed rest
for a problematic pregnancy. And learnt to praise God
that mine weren’t.
* I have
designed and typed resumes for neighbors who didn’t have
the ability or computer. Put to use my training as a
data entry operator.
* Designed
my own cards with a personal message for the sick and
sent a child over with a home-cooked casserole. Gave me
a buzz designing something special.
* I have
minded a fractious baby for a friend who was a new
mother and just needed some time-out! (Wishing I had had
that myself in hindsight. Smile)
* Over a
cup of tea, I would help a friend work out a budget as
she wasn’t sure how to stretch the funds and her husband
had handed the responsibility over to
her
(probably feeling overwhelmed) I have been there too-
but because of that, I had become extremely good at
frugality. For which I praise the LORD!
* As it
became known that I could sew, it was not uncommon to
have a hem of some school trousers or a friend’s dress
to take up or even to be asked to
finish
knitting a baby jacket someone had started and was
running out of time to finish.
* I would
provide free after school care for my neighbor’s
children if she had a dental or medical appointment that
would prevent her from getting home earlier.
* I have
sat at home packing endless pieces of jewelry or
Christmas cards with a friend who was subsidizing her
disability pension with piece work and was behind.
* I have
laundered clothes for a friend with a house full of sick
children and so overwhelmed with that and laundry that I
told her to bring a few loads to me.
* And
ironed those clothes too- now that’s love! (Smile)
* My home
has been like a crèche some days as the neighbor’s
children played with mine because their Mother was
morning-sick (I relate so well to that one!)
* And I
have just sat at my kitchen table with a cup of tea and
listened to some friend’s problems and offered advice if
asked, but mostly listened. A problem
shared
is a problem halved! Never underestimate the gift of
learning when to listen and when to keep silent. Many
mistakes made and lessons learnt for me there!
* I have
sewn countless little cotton shifts and pants for the
orphanage our church sponsored in Madagascar. I never
saw them wearing them, but I got letters!
* I have
sat countless hours after my housework was done sewing
sequins on big banners for the Worship Hall in our
church. Thousands of sequins..thousands!
* And I
have lost count of the number of women who have come
with unfinished projects that we have worked on at my
home. Sewing, knitting, crochet…
* And
speaking of crochet and knitting…teaching a couple of
friends crochet and knitting and how to read knitting
patterns!
* Teaching
my friend to touch type was another thing I did at home.
That taught me a lot about patience, believe me!
* A young
man who was my son’s friend couldn’t read and confided
in me and he came and I taught him to read. He has a lot
of confidence now! Praise God!
* I helped
a friend with a disabled child do physical therapy at my
home on the days when she was too exhausted to do it. I
sure learnt a lot about a mother’s love!
* A rather
humorous time was my neighbor who lived behind me asked
me to show her how to peg her laundry out like I did-
boy, I didn’t know she was looking!
* A young
wife wasn’t sure how to use ammonia on her oven and
asked me for a demo. I had the cleanest oven in town by
the end of the day.
* And then
there were the fun times- I was showing the same woman
how to bake a certain recipe, and it flopped! But the
fellowship was sweet at least! Smile.
The LORD
will give you wisdom to know who is needy and who is
greedy or lazy! It is never good to be used up when
there is no need of it. But I found the majority of
people asked for help only when it was truly needed- but
I feel I must caution you to be aware that some people
can abuse your friendship if you don’t set boundaries
and use wisdom.
Putting
this all to paper makes me realize just how many things
we can do from home to show charity and kindness to
others. I am sure you can think of more. But it is these
things that I believe make up that part of home keeping
that are fulfilling for me. After my house is clean-
then I can joyfully branch out into that part of life
some call ‘ministry’, others call helping, or friendship
or mentoring. Whatever it is called, it is possible to
be kind and charitable from your home. Not only does it
help your neighbor, but it helps you feel totally
fulfilled in your calling as a wife and mother. What
better way of serving Christ than to serve others in His
Name? I give God the glory for bringing these people
into my life, and for allowing me to pass on a little of
what I have gleaned of life along the way. May the LORD
richly bless you in your homes and bring opportunities
for acts of charity and kindness to you.
Joyfully
serving Him, Glenys
“She opens
her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of
kindness.” Proverbs 31:26
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