It will be thirty years soon. Thirty years married to the same man. Thirty years of learning to be a homemaker. Thirty years of keeping house and fixing meals and raising children and working at being the best wife I could be. That sounds pretty terrific, but some days I see it as thirty years of not measuring up. Thirty years of trial and error and still not quite figuring it all out. There have been seasons when I really felt like I was ‘rockin’ this homemaker thing, and seaons when I fell flat on my face. And so, here I am, a bride of almost thirty years, still learning her lessons, working on the basics again, sharpening and fine-tuning her skills. 
I was so excited to dig out my copy of Large Family Logistics last week. From the response I’ve received many of you are excited too! My plan was to read a section or two each week and share my thoughts with you here, chatting a bit about how I would work at implementing what I learned. Chapter 1 begins with the thought that in order to fill our role as homemakers we need Knowledge and Wisdom. Knowledge is easy enough to come by – – you can find plenty in books, watching HGTV, reading blogs – – we are surrounded by experts . . . but where do we get wisdom? I want to use Knowledge + Wisdom in setting priorities in my home.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness {2 Timothy 3:16}
The rest of the chapter takes a look at the Ultimate Homemaker, the Proverbs 31 Woman, The Excellent Wife – that role model all Christian wives aspire to to be. I thought I’d breeze through, skimming for a little refresher. You see, I’ve read those passages before. Many times, in fact. I’ve led Bible studies based on those verses. How many times can a woman read the same thing and still learn something? Apparently, one more time. I read all of 3 pages and came to a halt. Whoa, Linda! You have some work to do!
Random Thought and Lessons I’m Applying This Week:
- A look at Proverbs 31:1-10 lays a foundation for being a Woman Prepared to meet the needs of her family and be able to create a welcoming atmosphere in her home.
- vs. 11-12 – Can my husband trust me? Am I reliable? Am I doing him good and not harm?
- Do I get drawn into my own pet projects? Do I get bogged down with the never-ending demands of motherhood? Am I feeling the burdens of feeding and clothing and picking up after everyone else? With all that there is to do, it doesn’t seem there’s always much room left for my husband. How can I earn his trust and show him I am reliable? How can he know that I am there to do him good and not harm?
- I know we’ve all heard that saying “If Mama ain’t happy, Ain’t nobody happy!” It’s true that Mama plays a large role in setting the tone of her entire household. Just think about how the tone of the household can change if Mama is happy to make Papa happy? If Mama’s happy and Papa’s happy, the whole family, the whole household has something to be happy about.
And that’s where my focus is this week. I’ve wrapped up a few projects, I am prioritizing upcoming projects. I am taking some time each day to work on the things that are important to my husband. I pray the Lord will bless my family through me. I’ll be back next week with my thoughts on the rest of Chapter 1 and the Proverbs 31 Woman.
Are you reading along? I’d love to hear what you are learning! How do you set a happy tone in your household?
If you are enjoying this series, you might also enjoy my series based on Edith Schaeffer’s The Hidden Art of Homemaking.
I am really enjoying Large Family Logistics. So much common sense help and ideas.
I am just putting together my Home Management Book now.
Is the book really out of print? I want to give it to a friend. 🙁
That’s great Alia! A home management book is a wonderful tool. I’ll be working on mine again soon. I saw some copies available on amazon. You might check there. I imagine you could find used copies floating around. I’m wondering what it would take to encourage them re-publish? I wish now I had bought up several copies so each of my girls could have there own. I guess they’ll have to check out of Mom’s library 😉
I’d love to hear more about your binder as you put it together. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks Linda. I have looked around the internet, but haven’t found any Large Family Logistics copies for a reasonable price. I’m sure if there was enough demand, the book would get republished. I’m not sure how to go about that though. I too wish I had bought more copies before.
So far my Home Management Binder has a calendar, meal plans, grocery lists, budgets, daily schedule, weekly schedule, and emergency information. It took a lot of time, but I’m glad it’s all organized now 🙂 Maybe I’ll post the printouts online once I figure out how to make them downloadable.
I am sorry you haven’t been able to find a copy of LFL, Alia. Keep your eyes open, one might turn up for you, or maybe they will re-publish. I hope so, this is a valuable resource for all of us. I would love to see your HMB forms. I am making up my own now too. I have found so many wonderful resources, but none that fit my needs exactly.
Getting back to basics is a good. I am really enjoying your thoughts on this book. So glad you decided to do this series.
thank you Amanda. Sometimes it’s helpful to strip away all the extra stuff and just deal with the basics. It makes life better all around. Thank you for the encouragement!
I remarried about 3 years ago to a gentleman who enables me to be a Proverbs 31 lady. Before that, I tried and failed due to numerous situations. So I am really only grasping the foundation of this. I wish I could have spent my whole adult life thus far where I am now…physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I am truly thankful that you are posting about this subject. Every little thing helps me to be a better wife and mother. My 4 daughters are from my previous marriage therefore we have a blended family. It’s hard sometimes maintaining a happy home. As a wife, I try to serve my husband in many ways…having a clean home, cooking meals he enjoys, placing him in the proper position of our family. As a mother, I try to make sure my daughters have my undivided attention as much as possible. Granted they are older: 20, 16, 14, and 11. We try to do as much as possible together, whether it’s playing a game, watching a movie, even just after dinner conversation. I don’t know if I’m rambling or making sense. I mainly just wanted to say thank you for always inspiring me to be even better.
Hello, Melinda 🙂 It sounds like you are working hard in learning to be a better wife and mother today than you were yesterday. As we look back at our mistakes or shortcomings, we can learn from them, but don’t get bogged down in the wishing things had been different. We can use those lessons to make life better today and tomorrow, but looking back can be a tool of the devil, keeping us stuck and unable to move forward, distracting us from what we need to to in the here and now.
The love you have for your family shows through in your comment. I am working hard at serving cheerfully, without expectations. When my husband (and children) don’t respond as I think they ought, I am working at keeping a joyful heart anyway. You mention doing as much as possible together – what a good thing! God intended the family to be a unit, working and playing together. He will bless you for your hard work and willing heart!
I’m so happy you stopped by today, and that you were encouraged by this post. I hope you’ll stop in next week again. Enjoy your family this weekend, Blessings!