Homemaking Mondays: Keeper at Home

Welcome to Homemaking Monday! 

Today I'd like to share with you about being a keeper at home.  

Titus 2: 5

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

What does it mean to be a keeper? 
Webster's 1828 Dictionary states this:

KEE'PER, noun One who keeps; one that holds or has possession of any thing.

1. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the custody of prisoners.

2. One who has the care of a park or other inclosure, or the custody of beasts; as the keeper of a park, a pound, or of sheep.

3. One who has the care, custody or superintendence of any thing.

So, simply put:  One who has the care of something/someone. 

In our study it is linked to the home.  Keeper at home, simply denotes being the one who is responsible for the care of the home, and all that reside therein.  The "at" denotes that home is the basis for this keeping.

How does this look? to be a keeper at home.  The scriptures give us an insight into this. 

1 Timothy 5:14

 "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."

So, to guide the house.  How does one do this?  

It is referring to being responsible for the workings of the home.
Guiding/ directing what goes on there. 

GUIDE: 

1. To lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path; as, to guidean enemy or a traveler, who is not acquainted with the road or course.

The meek will he guide in judgment. Psalms 25:9.

2. To direct; to order.

He will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalms 112:5, 

3. To influence; to give direction to. Men are guided by their interest, or supposed interest.

4. To instruct and direct. Let parents guide their children to virtue, dignity and happiness.

5. To direct; to regulate and manage; to superintend.

I will that the younger women marry, bear children, and guide the house. 1 Timothy 5:14.

Preparing food, providing clothing, doing laundry, cleaning, teaching/ caring for the children, managing finances (that she is responsible for), gardening, & providing hospitality are some of the basic aspects of this.

For each of these areas we need teachers...older women who are skilled and knowledgeable.  

Yes, at times there are no older women who fit this category that live around us, that are able to take the time to teach us.  

Some women think that well, I've never been taught, so I can just live like it doesn't matter.  

Nope!  There is no excuse in this modern age of technology and information.  

You Tube, blogs, cooking shows, local community programs...there are many places that we can go if we are serious about this role/ occupation of homemaking.  I also encourage any older women that may read this blog...seek out and give of some of your time to younger women to teach them what you know.  I have had women (including my Mother) spend a couple hours with me on something, just to give me a chance to learn that skill.  That is invaluable!  

Homemaking is an honourable and joyous role that women have!

Don't let the world and it's feminist agenda lead you to think that it's just drudgery and monotonous boredom.  Serving our families, doesn't need to be like that when you look at it with the perspective of loving your family and being in the position that God has ordained you to be.  I have heard many quote Proverbs 31 and how that woman went out and did things apart from her home.  Yes, she did, but no where does it refer to her neglecting her homemaking duties at home.  Her home was still her central point.  Not to mention that Proverbs 31 is not referring to what she did for her whole life, but just things that she did over time.  There are times and seasons for many things.  

SO many fall for the lie of feminist propaganda, then go out and serve their bosses, doing monotonous, repetitive tasks each and every day.  Not all that glitters is gold ladies!  The only difference is money! 

No, homemakers don't get "paid"...but we receive treasures in heaven and the respect and adoration of our families, which is far greater in value!

Colossians 3:23-24

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

In being a keeper at home, we have the centre of all that we do stem from our homes.  

That is where we need to reside, where we need to be present.  

Keep the home fires burning is an old saying, but if one wasn't home, the fires went out. 

 We need to be home ladies.... for as much time as we can.  

Yes, there are errands to run, and places to go from time to time.  

Then we need to come home and focus on our tasks there.

There is a quiet comfort of being home, attending to the needs of our home and family.  

This can happen even with lots of small children around... chaos doesn't need to be the norm. 

Sometimes my husband has said that there is just chaos...and I refer to it as a flurry of activity.

There are times of that to, but it doesn't need to be like that all the time.

How are you guiding your home?  Does it glorify the Lord or does it look like you're seeking to be just like the world?  Don't run after the world and all it's enticements. 

It has nothing of greater value then what the Lord has already ordained.  

Being a keeper at home is an amazing blessing and is so diverse for each family is different.  

Find your joy in following God's plan for your life.  Enjoy the treasure of a woman's role.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer