Yesterday, I took the time to iron quite a few of my husband's dress shirts. Normally, I only iron 5 -6 shirts at a time during the week and this is not consistent. However, I didn't have anything pressing to do and "time" was on my side. I've been going through this phase of "not having enough hours-in-the -day" to do what I need to do. I could not use that one yesterday. Most of the time, I love to iron. But, for some reason, it was really a chore.
Aside from that, generally, I surf the net looking for ideas and things that could help me to be a little more organized, or just maybe find someone who has the same dilemma who can offer a helpful suggestion or two. Of all the great websites’ that I've found, there so many other blogs or website's that promote the idea that any woman doing anything remotely identified as "primitive" or resembles what looks be from the 50's era is quickly dismissed as oppressive to women and wives who choose to do so. NOT SO!
If I opt to express care and concern for my husband & family how and why would this be viewed as primitive? I’m not certain. I can't answer that question without being biased. On the other hand, society has taken its liberty to define what a married woman and mother should be.
Many times as Christian woman we’ve allowed “society” to dictate to us what a true Christian wife and mother consists of. The mentality of liberalism has crept into many a Christian home and began eroding the moral fiber of the home as well as the church. I know as I can testify that I felt that anything that looked halfway menial was an insult to who I was. I, too, felt that I was more valuable than someone who was only good for cooking, cleaning, (cleaning up after other people), laundry and being a “glorified maid.” Although I would quickly tell you that I respected women who choose to be wives and mothers. It just wasn’t for me!!! Oh how life can quickly change. I now have my own family. What would I do with go great a responsibility given to me?
Nevertheless, one day I was reading my bible and came across the passage in Proverbs 31:27 - 28 that defines a godly and “virtuous woman. It reads: “she looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.”
Proverbs 31:31 reads: “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
What a blessing! Sometimes when we feel our efforts are in vain and may go unnoticed. Yet, God see’s all that we do! God has a better way of encouraging our hearts and minds than we can. His word can provide comfort, encouragement, love and direction.
As I continued ironing my husband’s dress shirts, I could not help but think of how hard he works’s for his family. Each morning, when my husband gets up (while we’re all still sleeping), never once does he give a second thought of doing anything different than his god-given responsibility and the commandment to provide for us. Paying the bills is just a small token of his dedication to us, as his family; he’s also providing a godly example for our children as he display's god’s vision & purpose of a what a man that loves his family does.
At that point, it no longer felt like a chore and I carefully ironed each shirt with all the love that I possess for my husband dwelling deep within. Each day as he leaves the house I pray that the Lord guides him to and from his destination safely. I thank him for this gift he's given to me!
If my iron no longer continues to heat (as many once have), so that I can continue to iron his shirts, I know that they still sell irons’ in the store.
“And let us not be wear in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9
God bless…
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