Originally published Monday, 31 July 2017.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
What I mean by this title is taking care of your home life as you grind, hustle, work, do ministry, or lead others and yourself to accomplish intended goals and God’s will. Trust me. I totally understand that you’ve got things to do. I get it! However, I also know that if you have children, a husband, or housework that needs attending to, sis, you’ve got to get to them and it, too! ;-)
The reason I know this so well, is because my husband reminds me sometimes when I’m pecking away at the computer or gearing up for the next big project or speaking engagement that I need to make sure that I take care of the home-front, as well. He’s totally right! I’ll also never forget when a Christian advisor of ours asked me, “So, I know you’re doing a lot of work for the Kingdom right now as you help women grow in their walk with Christ, but how’s domestics?”
Right again!
When he asked me that question, I knew that the Lord was speaking right through this individual with care and concern for me and the biblical way of doing things. God is a God of order in every way. And you may already know (as I do as well), when things get out of God’s order, things get crazy, hectic, and stressful really fast. So I’ll venture to ask you the same question sis, “How’s domestics?”
In other words, how’s your first ministry? Do you have hot cooked meals ready for your family to eat at dinner time or are you frequently running for takeout or the fast food line because you were working on something really important (been there!)? Are the towels washed and linens clean and fluffy? When was the last time you mopped the kitchen or bathroom floors?
Also, if you have children, are you training them up in the way of the Lord by reading to them Bible stories, talking about real life topics and paralleling it to the Word for answers, and praying with and for them? Are you planning little quality time moments with them…outside of your daily grind? If you’re single, is your apartment or dorm kept up and are you taking care of yourself in every way as you work? Lastly, if you’re married, are you spending that quality time with your hubby in ways that please him and help him fulfill his calling and needs (as the Bible tells us that we are to be their helpmeet)? This is all love and exemplary for those watching our Christian walk.
The Bible tells us in Titus 2:4-5, “These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. (NLT). The King James Version says, “…that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Listen, sis. I don’t always hit the nail on the head with this one, because I am super busy! Nevertheless, I’m trying with the help of the Holy Spirit and others like my husband and godly leaders and mentors around me. As a result of their love and leadership through the years, even as I write this post, there are clothes in the washing machine, baked fish in the oven, and a new plan to help my husband in business this week. I’m multi-tasking. (Sometimes I even cook three meals at once for the week!)
My point here is that at the end of the night, my family will have clean clothes to wear, healthy food in their bellies, and my hubby has his helpmeet. Mission accomplished. Oh, and guess what? My blog will be done, too! Are you getting this? #balance #order #love
Before I close this post, I have to mention the Proverbs 31 Woman. I know there are mixed views about how much she does and feelings about how can anyone uphold to this level of perfection. Yet, it’s not about perfection at all. Instead, it’s one that I absolutely LOVE that illustrates advice from King Lemuel’s mother teaching him how a wife and mother should take care of her family, household, and business.
Proverbs 31:11 says, “Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:15-17 & 24 states, “She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She inspects a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker…she makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.” Proverbs 31:28 goes on to say, “Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.”
Now, if God didn’t think this was important, He would’ve never allowed it to be written. Second Timothy 3:16-17 attests to this saying, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
There you have it! God is equipping and calling us my dear sister, to follow His instruction about keeping things in the proper order at home. The thing is, we can’t be that busy to not take care of those we love and whom God has entrusted to us. This is a part of our calling. Aside from spending dedicated time with our Lord and placing Him as our top priority, the next step is making sure that we’re taking care of our first ministry. When these two things are in order, everything else will flow quite naturally and successfully. We can do this! ;-)
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: Do you need help in this area, sis? What could you do better to bring more order into your home? Let me know here. Also, if you need prayer today, you can email me directly to join you in prayer on it @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and praying for you.
ALSO, just want to encourage you to grab my NEW book, “IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ & Moving Forward in Your Purpose!” ORDER IT TODAY right here on Amazon.com! And if you already have it and have read it, please give me a REVIEW on Amazon.com. Thanks so much in advance.
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