After reading my last post, one of my dear readers asked that I explain what a homemaker is. At first, I was a little surprised that she would ask me to do this because I FOOLISHLY assumed that "everyone knows what a homemaker is!" Right? But when I began thinking of a definition to post, I realized that I couldn't come up with one that would apply to every woman out there as we are all going through different stages in life. Going to the Word of God for a definition was my first thought...
Titus 2:3-5 says: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, to LOVE THEIR CHILDREN, to be sensible, pure, WORKERS AT HOME, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."
Then, I wondered how a dictionary would define a homemaker...
Titus 2:3-5 says: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, to LOVE THEIR CHILDREN, to be sensible, pure, WORKERS AT HOME, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."
Then, I wondered how a dictionary would define a homemaker...
American Heritage College dictionary defines a homemaker as: "One who manages a household."
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate dictionary defines it as: "one who manages a household especially as a wife and mother."
I found it most interesting that Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language did not have "homemaker" listed as a word! Perhaps because during his time, it was most common to see women at work in the home, rather than in a workplace outside of the home, therefore, making the word unnecessary.
As I thought to come up with a definition myself, I wanted to be thorough in helping my readers understand the many tasks that are involved in homemaking & what makes homemaker's lives different from anyone else's. But again, I couldn't come up with one in general that would apply to every woman for obvious reasons. What I did come up with are questions to ask oneself; questions that I asked myself when wondering how I would define "homemaker"...
When you wake up every morning, what is it that you do throughout your day to make the *building* that you live in a HOME? What is it that you do that makes your husband and children want to be there? Is your husband respected & loved on by you? Are your children secure in your love & guidance? Are they warm & fed? I find that when I neglect those basic needs, (that I can & should fulfill), I dishonor the Word of God. Just like Mrs. Bouma says in the quote I posted: "The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting, and caring..." are all things that a homemaker does everyday. There's much more to it than that, but these are the basics. I could add SO much more to that like: decorating a home, or managing the finances, or meal planning, or delegating responsibilities, or..., or..., or...!!! These are all part of homemaking. I fail at doing them all perfectly at least EVERY day! At times, they can seem overwhelming, but by God's grace & faithfulness, the fruit that is harvested from being a committed homemaker is MOST rewarding! I count it a privilege & an undeserved blessing to be allowed this task. I wouldn't trade it for any other job on earth!
I found it most interesting that Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language did not have "homemaker" listed as a word! Perhaps because during his time, it was most common to see women at work in the home, rather than in a workplace outside of the home, therefore, making the word unnecessary.
As I thought to come up with a definition myself, I wanted to be thorough in helping my readers understand the many tasks that are involved in homemaking & what makes homemaker's lives different from anyone else's. But again, I couldn't come up with one in general that would apply to every woman for obvious reasons. What I did come up with are questions to ask oneself; questions that I asked myself when wondering how I would define "homemaker"...
When you wake up every morning, what is it that you do throughout your day to make the *building* that you live in a HOME? What is it that you do that makes your husband and children want to be there? Is your husband respected & loved on by you? Are your children secure in your love & guidance? Are they warm & fed? I find that when I neglect those basic needs, (that I can & should fulfill), I dishonor the Word of God. Just like Mrs. Bouma says in the quote I posted: "The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting, and caring..." are all things that a homemaker does everyday. There's much more to it than that, but these are the basics. I could add SO much more to that like: decorating a home, or managing the finances, or meal planning, or delegating responsibilities, or..., or..., or...!!! These are all part of homemaking. I fail at doing them all perfectly at least EVERY day! At times, they can seem overwhelming, but by God's grace & faithfulness, the fruit that is harvested from being a committed homemaker is MOST rewarding! I count it a privilege & an undeserved blessing to be allowed this task. I wouldn't trade it for any other job on earth!
Thank you for posting this, It definitely gave me a better understanding of what a homemaker is and encouraged me to try and become one as well :)
ReplyDeleteGod Bless