Family Ways are not the Ways of the World

 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. Micah 4:4





Each purposeful step we take back towards our family and our home-making, we move a step away from the world and its ways. It is as though the scales fall from our eyes. We begin to see how deceitful is the essential nature of this world, and how it never delivers on its promises.
 
There seems to be an awakening of families in our nations, to return to the foundational power and purpose of the family. As we do so, we discover the strength, power, peace and contentment that comes with this shift in focus. It is such a liberating journey. 












The world says...

'Compete with your spouse'

That is what many women are unconsciously thinking and acting on every day. We marry spouses because we love them and want to make them happy and do them good, and work together for the benefit and well-being of our family. But the world isn't interested in these concepts. It tries by subtle and not-so-subtle means to undermine them. The world prefers disjointed, discontented couples who strive for status, importance, knowledge and crave material increase. Those couples will spend more, waste more, and work long hours away from their families. It may be a vital thing to honestly consider whether we are in contention with our spouse!


 "KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP; BUT LOVE BUILDETH UP." 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-13



How often in the past I have wasted time by seeking knowledge. What if I had spent that precious time building up others in my family with words and acts of love? Our Heavenly Father is not the slightest bit impressed that we can rise above others with our accumulation of knowledge.



  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble" James 4:6

The world says...

Speed up or get left behind

The truth is that hard work does not require to be done at breakneck speed. Working too fast is not peaceful, contenting or efficient. It causes accidents, it makes people stressed and sick and burns them out. When we look to our family-building, we find that God gives us a steadier pace and schedule. His pace allows us to enjoy and be fulfilled by our labours, and to have time to pray and talk to him all through the day.




The world says...

Noise is necessary at all times

When you switch off the noise, you will find a place of contentment. The world has done such a good job on this one that it is almost a shock to find that beautiful place of quietness. The home-maker is there to ensure there are times of quietness during the day and practice the lost art of listening to her family. How valuable that is, and it will pay dividends in time to come.













The world says...

Shop until you drop

When we are convinced that shopping is on a par with breathing - can't live without it - we are lied to by the world.

Home-makers must understand the importance of building families and homes, rather than building their wardrobes, especially in these disturbing times.

I remember with embarrassment the family resources and precious time I have wasted over the years on 'shopping'. I am not talking about food shopping here. Shopping is very often simply retail therapy. It takes us away from our 'home and family building'. It takes us into wonderlands of money-grabbing, noisy, greedy, and beguiling establishments. Everything looks so pretty and desirable. A few months later, our pretty 'stuff' is literally 'stuffed' in a cupboard or drawer and forgotten about. 

The best way not to buy things is not to go shopping!

   House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord.  Proverbs 19:14





Let us be prudent with the family income and resources. Learning to sew is such a helpful asset in this endeavour. We can spend our 'shopping' time, maintaining the clothes and items we already own. Items can be altered or given a new lease of life with simple embellishments. Or we can polish shoes and make them shine - a pleasure to wear. We could purchase a pattern and make several items from that  pattern so as to use the resource wisely.

Food shopping is another area in which we can learn the satisfying art of prudence. Choose recipes that are simple and healthy, and make flexible menus. Make a weekly fruit cake or buns or Birthday cakes that are a treat for the family. They will be tons better than the 'world's' unlovingly prepared and over-priced offerings.

 








However the world dresses up their tempting fare, it will never come near the joy and contentment of home and family. Taking walks in the countryside together, picnics, working on a family project, taking the time to laugh and to listen, looking after our resources, these are treasures we can have and hold.

Let us turn our focus from the world and back towards building the things that really matter.