Welcome to the final stretch of my 31 Days Writing Challenge. Today is Day 28 and we’re considering a good wife as we read through the book of Sirach. We talked about an intelligent wife and a modest wife; today let’s consider a good wife in her well ordered home.
A Good Wife in Her Well Ordered Home
So a good wife can be defined by how well her home is ordered? Uh-Oh. I could go through some legitimate excuses like a two month long illness, nine of us, traveling, hunting, nine of us…but they would just be excuses. A well ordered home just makes life easier don’t you think? It’s a constant struggle of mine to move and breathe in a well ordered home while granting grace to the nine of us so I’m not constantly walking around saying “Do this…Do that…Why did you not do that or this?” Although I’m pretty sire my children would tell you I say that way too much already and anyway. But let’s consider,
What are the benefits of a well ordered home anyway?
- You can find what you are looking for quickly and easily (read not turning over couches and digging under beds for an hour)
- You save money because you don’t double purchase something you already own but cannot find.
- Safety–in case of fire you would not bust your shin on an open drawer or trip over a pile of dirty laundry.
- You won’t step on Lego’s…enough said there.
- Always ready, willing and able to practice the virtue of hospitality.
- It shows importance and usefulness for the things you own.
- It honors and respects your husband’s sacrifice working for the family.
- It shows your personal pride in owning and keeping your possessions nice.
In one of my favorite posts ever read on the internet and by one of my favorite bloggers, Elizabeth Foss, she address this verse and the need for order in the home.
I want to be a gracious wife, not just a gracious hostess. Not just a lovely face to the public, but a comfort and a blessing to my husband. So, why bother with homemaking? Because God call us to be virtuous wives and He tells us that virtuous wives live in well-ordered homes.
Order precedes beauty. Radiance is the goal. Our housekeeping routines are crucial to the smooth functioning of our days, our weeks. Life in a well-ordered home does shine. Radiance streams into our lives like the grace of God. Ordering a home isn’t something you do once and it stays that way. Instead, it’s a continual commitment.
Remember when we considered Who is My Neighbor? Our family is our neighbor first then like spokes on a tire the circle expands…but it starts at home.
That is a disservice to ourselves as a child of the King. It is a disservice to God the Father from Whom all good things come. It is a disservice to those in our home when we show them, our home is not the priority.
Click here to read more posts about a good wife.
Each day there is more encouragement and even some laughs over on my Facebook page. Head over and “Like” me there for more.
Jodi says
I have spent hours reading on your website. I truly needed this today. Thankyou
Barb V says
Wow, you have given me so much to think about, marinate in and act on during these 31 days. thank you so much
Clare says
I read this post and the dialogue that followed it with great interest. I live in community – and interestingly – we always seem to be tidying up too! In somethings I have become a little better with age – and equally I am able to let things go for the sake of a greater good. I salute all of you who run homes and take care of families. It is an amazing vocation to be a mother.
Liz says
Thank you for this. I’m so glad I found your blog today. I love how you see that “Radiance is the goal.” But you don’t stop there. You make visible the steps that make this goal possible.
Jenny says
Thanks for the visit Liz and the kind comment.
Jennifer says
This is what I strive for. I love organization, but my down fall happens when everyone is busy and things fall apart. I have to remind myself that this is what I am called to do and that it is a blessing for my family!
Jenny says
I love organization, but sometimes it feels like a losing battle between my lazy side and organized self. And then between me and the rest of the family. Grace…grace…it does not have to be perfect.
Sarah Damm says
I totally know what you mean when you say “a losing battle between my lazy side and my organized self.” It’s this inward struggle that I can actually feel! It’s as if encouraging my family isn’t hard enough; I have to encourage myself, too?! Yes, grace!!
Sarah Damm says
This is lovely, Jenny. I strive for a well-ordered home. I think I am more peaceful when my surroundings are peaceful, but it is hard with 8 of us. It gets exhausting to pick up the same things over and over again, and to face the opposition of my children when I ask them to pitch in, even though I know this is God’s work for me at this time. Your post gave me some encouragement to keep on keeping on! Thanks!
Jenny says
Just had this conversation with my husband about how tired I was of the constant constantness, if that is even a word…the reminding, the picking up the things I need to pick up, etc.
Angela Pea says
Yes! I’ve been a ‘tidy’ person since childhood (ask my Mom!)…I think better when my surroundings are neat and organized.
I used to drive my family nuts trying to keep the house picture perfect. I learned, though, to let go of my idea of perfection and grasp the reality of living in a home with a bunch of kids and half their friends, pets, projects, and the amazing amount of paraphernalia it takes to keep everyone fed, clothed and educated. A well ordered home is wonderful, but we have to guard ourselves against urge to “perfect”. Why? Because perfect comes at too high of a cost, usually paid for with sad faces on our children, missed opportunities for fun and a majorly grumpy mom.
Jenny says
You’re right Angela, it does come at too high of a cost and it dies make me grumpy, but…man it is never ending.
Tara says
I’m not a mom but hope to be some day. This post really reflect on the type of wife I will be someday. Good food for thought.
Jenny says
Thanks for the visit and kind comment Tara. I wish I had learned these things before I was married.
Sarah May says
I like organizing my home and keeping it straight as best I can because it’s how my mind works and how I tend to work best as mother, wife and person. However, I do feel like I can be (and have been in certain seasons) a Godly wife, mother and hostess despite my best cleaning efforts and likewise could be a terrible one with the most perfect home. To me it’s the heart behind it all and whether or not I’m glorifying God in my actions by opening myself up to those around me and being a light to them. While I don’t agree with you 100%, this was an interesting and thought provoking read.
Jenny says
I agree with you Sarah May, it absolutely comes down to the heart. There are seasons when the home will look a little more “lived in” than others, having a new baby or extended illness immediately comes to mind. It’s definitely a question of intention.
Jennifer Kostick says
A well ordered home is definitely a blessing to all who dwell inside as well as all who visit. I’ve been sick, so my home is a little chaotic right now, to say the least… Great idea for a series!
Jenny says
Hi Jennifer. We are coming off of 9 weeks of illness momma included! I completely understand. Give your family and yourself grace. I came out like a bull in a China cabinet and made us all miserable, myself included.