Part 2 of Phyllis Sather's Thoughts on Motherhood. Read Part 1 here.
Content as a Mother
Practice
Practice what?
Practice being a good wife and mother. We usually enjoy the things we are good at, and we get good at something by practicing.
I’ve made it a habit to read at least one book on marriage each year, and one book on parenting.
I also read several homeschool magazines and/or blogs. This really helps me to feel connected to something bigger than just my little home school. I’m not alone. Plus, I gather great information and ideas. I try new recipes. Now that our children are older, we actually vote on keeping the recipe or tossing it. It’s gotten to be an adventure to find “keepers.”
I also read books on organizing and cleaning tips.
If you were an accountant, doctor, lawyer, or CEO you would have to keep up on the latest developments in your field. Since we have the most important job in the world, shouldn’t we continue to educate ourselves so we are “cutting edge” wives and mothers?
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Teach
Share what you have learned and are learning.
Titus 2:4-5 says, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
The first young women we should be teaching are our daughters. What a delight it can be to have the time and opportunity to train them to be keepers at home—to love being at home caring for younger siblings and their father. If, like us, you don’t have young children for older siblings to help out with, you can seek out someone at church that might like a “mother’s helper” once a week. That is a great way for our daughters to learn how to serve others. You will be amazed at all they can learn from another mom.
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There is always someone behind you that you can be reaching out to—a new mom or wife, who needs a word of encouragement or needs to learn something you have already learned. We all have our areas of expertise, so share them with someone else.
In the same vein, there will always be things we aren’t so good at, so reach out to someone who has learned what you need/want to know and ask questions or invite them over to show you how.
Be ready to give an answer.
Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Prepare answers ahead of time for these questions, because you know they will come. Ask the Lord to show you how you can graciously answer.
The wife of one of my husband’s business partners was a lawyer for one of the local school districts—how intimidating is that! The first time we met at a Christmas party she asked me what I did and I told her that I stayed home and homeschooled our children. She replied, “Why in the world would you want to do that?” I got away from her the first chance I had, but I resolved to be ready for our next encounter. I asked the Lord to show me how I should answer her. When the opportunity arose, I shared with her some of the blessings of being a homeschool mom. As I shared, my excitement and love for it must have shone through, because she ended up saying some very complimentary things. We never became great friends, but I no longer felt so intimidated by her.
Spend time with your husband
This almost goes without saying, but… I find that when things get busy I tend to drop what is easiest to drop and, as much as I hate to admit it, it’s often time with Dan.
We have a set time each week when we get together. Date your mate. With young children it can be a challenge—with young adults, too—but it’s well worth your effort to continually cultivate that relationship.
When our children were still napping we used to nap too on Sundays. It was a wonderful way to spend time together.
And last but not least—
Stay in the Word
Don’t neglect your time with the Lord—even if some days it means just five minutes in the bathroom, crying out for patience.
[Tweet “Don’t neglect your time with the Lord—even 5 minutes in the bathroom, crying for patience. @butifnot”]
Seriously, we need to do whatever is necessary to have enough time with Him to stay well fed so we can care for our husbands and children. Get up early or stay up late—whatever works for you—but spend time in the Word.
I like to think of it as getting my marching orders for the day. I keep a notebook with me—in addition to the one I journal in. As the Lord brings things to mind, I jot them down on a page—usually a separate one for each family member. They might look something like this: Ask Emily how that editing job is going. Talk with Eric about computer time. Extra chores or things I want them to do. Remember to compliment Bekah on her attitude.
There is a comedian whose jokes about husbands and wives are so close to the truth that they are hilarious. He always has these little “chats” with men and gives them advice. He ends by saying, “Remember, I’m pulling for you.”
I can almost hear the Lord saying the same thing to us as wives and mothers—He is pulling for us, so let’s work on being “cutting edge” wives and mothers for the Lord so that when we are asked what we do we can proudly and confidently say, “I’m a homemaker!”
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
You can Purchase Thoughts on Mothers & Daughters © 2007 Phyllis Sather Here or you can Purchase the Kindle version.
A Collection of Articles to Encourage Your Relationship
Phyllis Sather is an ordinary woman serving an extraordinary God. She has been the joyful wife of her best friend Daniel for 30 years and became a stay at home mom 25 years ago after retiring from a management position. She homeschooled their three children, Emily (28), Rebekah (26), and Eric (24), for the past 20+ years and they are now continuing their education and working. She wrote a magazine column on mothers and daughters for five years and has published several books. Her favorite is Purposeful Planning. Visit her on her at Phyllis-Sather.com
Rebecca from Hip Homeschooling says
I love this post Phyllis, the idea of working at it, practising, spending time with God, its all wonderful advice and fantastic encouragement!
Thanks so much for linking up at Favorite things Friday! Make sure to add a link back or button to be eligible to be featured, I’d love to see you on my blog! Hope to see you again this week!
Phyllis Sather says
I’m glad you found this article encouraging Rebecca. I did add you to my link-up list. Looking forward to your next post.
Jennifer says
This is great wisdom for wives and moms! I particularly appreciate the point that we should invest effort in staying on the cutting edge of our craft. What a neat perspective for us to have! I’m so glad you linked this with us at Grace & Truth!
Phyllis Sather says
Hi Jennifer,
I think with all the criticism of being “just a homemaker” we tend to forget all that goes into our craft and the skills needed to do it well.
I hear from many young wives and mothers who got married and had no training to be a homemaker.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mary says
You are so correct … Always work at improving. It is very easy to get complacent. Thanks for your wisdom
Phyllis Sather says
Hi Mary,
We do need to do everything as onto the Lord so we should give Him our best.
Thanks for stopping by.
DaLynn McCoy says
What a beautiful post! And so true. I love what you said about how for a professional license (I’m a massage therapist), we have to continue our education in order to stay in business and that we should take our jobs as homemakers/moms/housewives just as seriously. I needed to hear that!
Thanks for linking up with Christian Fellowship Friday. Come join us again this weekend! Have a blessed one. 🙂
Phyllis Sather says
DaLynn that is a great example of what I was saying. Professionals do need to get certain training to continue in their profession.
My husband had an aunt who was still collecting new recipes in her 80″s. I want to be like that – willing to try new things to hone my homemaking skills.
Phyllis Sather says
This article sounded interesting so I clicked over to read it and found out I had written it. I read it and found it very encouraging.