There is joy at home!

I hope to provide a a review of some of the Above Rubies conference that I attended. We spent almost an entire session talking about being at home.

3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

Basically, we are suppose to be "busy at home". She talked about how we often get sucked into doing good things that take us away from our home. From kids sports, music lessons, Awanas, church meetings etc... for most of us it is always going to be the good stuff that gets us.

She really just cautioned us against anything that would effect our dinner time schedule and thus effect our family devotional. The one time of day everyone is home and it's time for Dad to lead.

I have to raise my hand and say I am guilty of wanting to do more and feeling guilty that we do not have more activities. I do not want my kids to 'miss out'. But honestly what they are missing is their family growing spiritually, at home training with Dad, healthy meals & less stressed Mama.

I also must encourage the young women in my life to stay at home as much as possible and to plan your days & weeks with growing in Godliness in mind (Titus 2:3-5) . To get their homes in order even when they do not have a family to take care of yet.

Some verses about this:

This one is directed at widows but really could apply to any woman with time on her hands: "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to." 1 Tim 5:13

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 2 Thes 3:11 This seems to really speak against "hanging out" with friends. That what we do we need to do purposefully and that while we do it we should be purposeful. After all Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

So what do we do? It seems like we must be wise with our time as married women and if we are visiting a friend that it should not be idle time. Lets get that laundry knocked out, sew, study the word but no matter what do something productive. For my sweet single friends I think it just means the same. I just don't think more freedom translates into idle time chatting, lots of movies or multiple evenings out. Here is the exception (assuming your home is in order) for you single girls you could attach yourself to a family and get some on the job training (Titus 2:3-5). Don't expect Mom to sit instead you can jump right into life and fold laundry, sweep, mop...if you scrub toilets come to my house! Don't wait to be asked to fold just fold (you might ask Mom where the stuff goes :) ). Help us love our family & kiddos in exchange for some OTJT.

Lets go forward encouraged by Mrs. Campbells words and living out Ephesians 5:15-17. Let's strive toward putting God first, getting our houses in order ,our healthy dinners on the table and don't let the enemy rob you of the joy of home.

Ladies there is joy at home, grab it!