Salvation Sound - May 2008

Posted on May 4, 2008

Who would want to be a woman working in the home?

Step out of bed, and the day starts, you slave away; - washing, ironing, dusting, polishing, hoovering, cooking, and for what ? Hungry for appreciation, yet nobody notices anything you've done!! In between these chores you tend the garden, do the shopping, a little mending, write the letters, birthday cards etc. arrange flowers, put out the rubbish, clean the bins, sweep the paths, disinfect the drains,... need I go on?... The old saying "A woman's work is never done", is so true. Home come the family? books, boots, coats, just dropped - the cry - "Anything to eat", rings out. Next it's the turn of the briefcase and newspaper - "What a day, I'm so tired, - I could murder a cup of tea," echoes through to the kitchen, followed by "What time's dinner?"

At school you receive gold stars, a. "Well done", from your tutor, at work in the office, another step up the ladder, or perhaps a rise in salary comes your way. But what about the housewife? Within a few minutes the labours of her day are by-passed. When was the last time someone said, "house looks nice Mum", or "like the flower arrangement", or even "that was scrumptious" after dinner. A quick hug, a kiss, someone saying "love you Mum" can make such a difference if your day has been hard too.

It takes strength to work and labour without any recognition. Human beings need love, care and protection; Christian families are bound by these ties; so although the stresses and strains of life might bring about the temptation to go on strike, or at least run away from it all, because we know that our work is primarily a God given task, we know our responsibilities will be rewarded by Him if we are faithful. Psalm 55:22. says 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you'.

It's not really so bad is it? After all we can stop and have a rest and a "cuppa" whenever we want to. Sit and see a bit of tele' when our back aches - and knowing that tomorrow we have a little retail therapy to look forward to does wonders for our moral.

'As thy day so shall thy strength be'. The Master told us to take up our cross daily - just call me Martha.!! Patience Strong wrote:

"Don't withhold the word of praise, it may spur someone on -
Just at the moment when they think everything has gone -
A word of praise for work well done, may seem a trifling thing,
But from it - someday, something good and wonderful may spring.
There's always a word that we can say,
To lift their eyes above the seeming darkness of the day
And so renew their confidence to make another start,
And do the job before them with a brave and happy heart..."

Paul wrote to the Philippians, Ch. 4 " 12 & 13:
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. (I wish he'd let me in on it ! )

But the end of the verse puts everything in perspective for it says;
can do anything through him who gives me strength."

Source: Focus, May 2008