Oct. 11, 2006 - Creative homemaking - My story -part one
My oldest son is creeping up on double digits. How did this happen? When did my little baby become a young man? I remember holding him in the hospital as if it were yesterday. The passage of time plays on my mind...creeping slowly and yet overnight, it is gone. Seeing the fleeting years has caused me to reflect on my own journey. How far I've come...and how far I still have yet to travel.
Prior to the birth of our first son, I was a junior high teacher. I loved teaching and the relationships I had built with my students. Dh and I had built our first home together and were looking forward to starting a family. I said good-bye to the kids at school on Friday and went to the hospital to have a baby on Monday. That was the extent of my transition from working woman to stay-at-home mom.
I distinctly remember when Austin was around a month old, sitting on the sofa for a late night feeding. I was reading a book by Thomas Kinkade. In it, he referred to his wife Nannette as a "creative homemaker". My heart grabbed on to that phrase. Something about it resonated deep within me. I had no idea what it meant, but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I began to pray and ask the Lord to show me His definition of a "creative homemaker".
I might as well have decided at that moment to become a doctor or a lawyer. I knew as much about those professions as I did about homemaking. Take the kitchen for example. In my mind, there were two reasons to do dishes. #1 - you ran out of things to eat off of and #2 - you can't figure out what the smell is emanating from the kitchen. Suffice it to say my homemaking skills were minimal at best.
The Lord graciously began to answer my prayer. I felt like a dry sponge, soaking in all I could for my new found calling. God is so creative in how He teaches us isn't He? He knows our individual learning styles and tailors the lessons just for us. Being an avid reader, He brought me countless books on a variety of subjects...hospitality, homemaking, parenting. He gave me on the job training as I opened our home to a group of young mother's for a Bible study. He introduced me to real-life "creative homemakers" so I could see just what it looks like. The learning was and continues to be an ever-evolving process.
I've come a long way from that stormy night almost ten years ago. He heard my prayer and He continues to answer daily. Thank you Lord that you don't leave us where we are, but shape us into what you want us to be. May I always have a teachable heart. Continue to show me Your definition of a "creative homemaker".
It is unbelievable how quickly time passes, especially once we have children and savor every day we have with them. It sounds like you are making a childhood and home full of warm, loving memories for your son.
This was very interesting for me to read. I figured by viewing your blog that you were BORN a Suzy Homemaker. You certainly fooled me. :) It's nice to look back and see where we've come, huh?
Amen! Isn't it encouraging to look back and see growth?! I'm amazed at the way that God is bringing about change in me too. Sometimes it feels like one step forward, two steps back. But, I'm gaining ground slowly.
I have such a similar story! Wow. And isn't it neat how God has made the mission of motherhood so interesting and challenging, so broad and deep. It truly is amazing. Great writing!
I so enjoyed reading this entry. Like you, I have learned so much by observing other homemakers. I thank the Lord every day for allowing me to be a worker at home.
I am amazed how quickly our children grow up. I measured Samuel yesterday. We have kept up with his height on the back of our coat closet. He has grown 2.5 inches since May 24th. Every day is a gift!
Happy Day!
Julie D.
This post reminded me of my mom. She grew up in a broken home, abused, without knowing the Savior...No one taught her how to cook, clean, sew...anything. Then she met the Lord and He taught her!
Over the years she has sewn countless, Easter, Prom, Wedding dresses, canned her own jelly (from grapes grown in the back yard of her inner-city house), applesauce, pickled pumpking balls...you name it. She's a fabulous cook, not so great of a housekeeper, and extremely well-educated with only a GED (having dropped out of high school 3 times). Over the years she's taught me a few of these things, and I am blessed to continue to learn from her. God is so good and the Holy Spirit is such a fabulous teacher!
Very well written! :) And, I hear you, my oldest (Breanna) is soon to be 12 & even my baby (Nathan) is heading toward 2-- & even these nearly 2 yrs. have flown by. The "baby" time goes so quickly. I've been thinking the same thoughts & really soaking in the day to day moments. :) And, on being a creative homemaker... me too... aren't you so glad that in this and in all things that God is continually working on us... Philippians 1:6?!! :) God's blessings upon you!! :)
Boy do I know what you are talking about! My house keeping skills were minimal. I have learned so much over the years, one of which is it really doesn't take that long to do a task.
Sounds a lot like me (dishes and all, not to mention leaving a Jr. High teaching job to be Mom!)....Praise God for gently leading those of us with young!
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
