Focusing on the Family

Through the thirteen years in the ministry I have seen so many women who do not know how to cook or keep their home. There have been times when a lady has asked for my help in cleaning their homes and I was so overwhelmed with how much work needed to be done. Just one week later they were asking for my help again and as I entered their living rooms it was evident that they had not lifted a finger since the last time I had been there. It wasn’t enough for me to help them clean up, they needed to be taught.

I have also met teen girls who haven’t a clue how to cook a meal. One summer I offered a class on cooking and their mothers were quite happy to send them over to learn, yet the girls had no desire. I am saddened by what they will discover when the man of their dreams asks if she can cook.

As a mother of three daughters I know that I must be sure to teach my daughters how to keep the home and cook.

Titus 2:4-5, “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.” (KJV)

Titus was very clear in writing that if women do not take proper care of their homes, love their children, and obey their husbands, that we are blaspheming God’s very Word. May that never be said about our daughters.

During the month of December, my family will be focusing on the family. Our education will consist of keeping the home during the holidays, learning new recipes, and making entertaining arrangements. My In-Laws will be arriving on December 9th and staying through Christmas. We are planning to spend as much time with them as we can. They are retired and live in the road in their motor home. During their last three months of traveling, they have accumulated many things along the way. They have planned to come and be their teachers during December. They have prepared lesson plans for my children in Geography, History, and Art. I will continue them in Math, Spelling and English while Non and Poppop teach the rest.

Our goal this December is to focus on teaching the value of family. In years past, while my children were in school, we had to focus on memorizing lines for the Christmas programs, fundraising, decorating their classrooms, and planning their class parties. We couldn’t find time to focus on our ‘own’ family traditions. This year will be different for us.

Flylady has a terrific routine for the holidays which we will be creating a small version for each of my daughters. Be sure to see their main page for their Holiday Tips for the home.

Now, some of you may be wondering what you can do as a mother of boys. Boys need to be taught basic living principles as well. December is a great time to have the boys help hang Christmas lights outside. Ask his opinion on your recipes. Ask your husband or a grandfather to help teach them how to build a manger scene or cut a tree at a local tree farm. Take a moment to head on over to Bible.com and search for the word ‘carpenter’. It’s amazing how many times a carpenter was mentioned in the Bible. Jesus learned to be a carpenter from his step father Joseph. I have no doubt that Mary supported him in learning from her husband. If you’re a Solo Mom, you can find a grandfather, uncle or godly man in the church to help teach your boy a trade.

I pray you’ll enjoy your holiday this year as a family. There’s so much to learn from focusing on the family.