HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry {Part Three}

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry

A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler

(Part 1 of this study series is found HERE)

A Vision Takes Shape

When I ponder the words, "homemaking vision", I think of the way in which I view or see my home making. And inside of that "seeing" lives my personal goals, plans, dreams, hopes, prayers and other aspects that make up it's core. 

These things are mainly rooted in my upbringing, my childhood experiences, my mother's role within my family home and the ways in which she carried it out. 

Some were forged by special women in my life, media; such as television, books, movies, while others were added by mentors, church life, my faith, the Bible, my age and maturity. 

My vision has changed only slightly over the past many years of marriage, though I can not  recall a purposefully set pattern during those early years, especially those rough few. Difficult and hard times are the biggest culprit for dimming and blurring your vision.

 As time moved on, children were added to our home (six in all with one having special needs) and then as the homeschooling movement began to form, so did a new vision. With that...I came into my own and have pretty much remained the same.

Over the years, the outside view of my vision has taken on different shaped flesh if you will. While the outside has been shaped and reshaped because of changing needs, the core has not. The core has remained the same and it is where I always come to when I have lost my way, when I steer too far, and especially when I think I can do it on my own. 

And yet, the very essence of my vision is my belief in and love of Christ Jesus.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Be thinking about your "homemaking vision".

Write down what these two words say and mean to you. If you have never thought of having a vision for your home, begin thinking of possible tiny steps you could take to put one in place.

Remember your vision for your home will not look like any other. You are unique and so is your life.

Use your journal to write down your heart thoughts.

continued...

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry {Part Two}

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry

A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

(Part 1 of this study series is found HERE)

My Personal Oil Lamp

I believe the lamp is likened to my relationship with our Lord and the oil and globe are the state in which that relationship is in.

Personally, when my lamp is running on empty or my globe is black with soot, then things are very off at my home front. I have neglected the most important person in my life, my Jesus. I have allowed other things to press in on me like the storm. I have fallen unprepared and thus am caught off guard. It has been either neglect, busyness or the taking for granted of the Savior. All of which can cause the breech and all of which, sadly are of my own doing or perhaps my own undoing.

This holds true for our lives in general and affects many other areas, but for this series homemaking is the center focus.

It is times like these that I have most often misplaced my homemaking vision and what happens is discontentment sets in, hurried-ness becomes the norm, confusion circles around me and if left go unchecked, resentment will hush in like a fog and quietly cover like a shroud.

So look to the lamp as your centerpiece for this study series moving forwards,  as a symbol, a thermostat if you will.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Over the next few days be praying over and thinking about your personal oil lamp.

Take spiritual inventory of your oil and globe and see how the wick is doing. Maybe go back and re-read part one of this study again.

Journal your heart and next week I will share more about having a "homemaking vision" along with my own in part three, A Vision Takes Shape.

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry (New Study Series)

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry

A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler

The Stage is Set ~ Part 1

You are sitting at a circular oak table in a room just after dusk. On top of the table is an old-fashioned cotton doily in the same round pattern as the table. In the center of the table is a beautifully etched glass oil lamp covered in a gray dusty film. The wick is hardened with black soot and the base is near empty of any oil. From what remains exudes a strong smelling odor and it has become yellowed with age.

You feel alone, sad and filled as it were with emptiness. You are enveloped in near darkness with a feeling of fret and worry. There is a chill as the thunder begins to rolls in. You are unprepared to ride out this storm. You want to flee as the twinges of fear now settle upon you.

There is unrest and a confused state you can not explain, but you know it is not right nor where you want to be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Stage is Set ~ Part 2

You are sitting at a circular oak table in a room just after dusk. On top of the table is an old-fashioned cotton doily in the same round pattern as the table. In the center of the table is a beautifully etched glass oil lamp with an even burning, never wavering flame. The wick has been trimmed neatly, the globe of the lamp is bright and clear and the base is full of fresh oil.

The wind is howling, the rain is pouring, but as it beats against the windows you feel warm and safe inside. You feel secure with the warm glow of the lamplight. You have a peaceful quieted heart and know a sense of coziness within your soul. Your state of mind is thoughtful and focused.

There is rest and a simpleness of space and time you can not explain, but you know it is right and where you want to be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just an Oil Lamp?

Do I have oil in my lamp? Is the wick trimmed and burning brightly or is it overdue for a straight cut? Do I take the time to freshen my lamp with new oil, filling it full? Is the globe clean from dust and soot?

As women, we do not want to be caught like the foolish virgins...asleep, with empty lamps, but we want to be like the wise ones with lamps full and ourselves fully awake.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Look up Matthew 25-

{write this passage down}

Look up the word wise and write its meaning

Look up the word foolish and write its meaning

* Please feel free to take notes from this study series for your personal use. 

to be continued...