Quiet Life Homestead

Some thoughts on being a keeper of the home

As I was doing my Bible study last night, it occured to me...How can I be a Titus 2 woman to my daughter if I'm not already there yet?  I still need to work on the areas that I'm to be teaching her. 

Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Okay, I'm doing pretty good with that one.  But when I went searching for what it meant to be a keeper at home, you'll never guess where I ended up...Yep, that's right, our friend Madame Proverbs 31!  At first glance, she can be very intimidating.  But the more time I spend reading her to do list, the more I realize we have some things in common.  Heres how I got there (my own little Glenn Beck impression!), and by the way, it wasn't my idea.  This is something Anne Ortlund (the author of the book I'm reading) has you do.  Take a piece of paper, put a line down the middle.  One one side write the things God wants women to be or to do.  On the other side go the things He does not want us to be or do.  Then she had us examine the following verses: Proverbs 11:15; 12:4; 14:1; 19:14; 21:9; 21:19; 31:10-31; Matthew 15:28; 1Corinthians 7:39; 7:1-5; 11:3; Ephesians 5:22; 1Peter 3:1-4; Titus 2:3-5.  To do this is a real eye-opener, especially Proverbs 31:10-31.  I had never broke it up quite like that before, and when you put it in modern terms, it is a lot easier to compare.

After doing that, we were suposed to make a list of the things God wants us to do - basically, these are things she talks about in the chapter - and rate ourselves on how well we do these.  It was suposed to be a rating of 1-10, and as I'm anal and didn't know if 1 was good or 10 was good, I just made checkmarks.  Here I'll make smiley faces and that way you'll know how I'm doing and I'll feel more accountable.  I'll let you know how my progress goes.

     helpmeet to husband  

     mother to children 

     showing hospitality

     washing feet of saints (caring for believer's practical needs)

     helping those in trouble

     devoting myself to all kinds of good works

     love husband and children

     be self-controlled and pure

     be busy at home

     be kind

     be subject to husband

I probably need to give you the key to the smiley faces:  means I'm already doing that.   means almost there.  means I most definitely need some work in this area.  means "I'm suposed to be doing that?!"

Don't ya just love smileys?!

Thank you

{ 11:40, Monday, March 5, 2007 } { Posted by rashel }

That is something to think about, how can I teach my daughter if I am not there yet. Thank you for the scripture references, I plan to look them up later and make my list. And yes, I love the smileys! It looks like you are doing well in several areas and you will get there with the rest. You are doing great just by being honest that some areas need work and the Lord will be faithful to help you. Thank you for sharing about your study.

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{ 01:58, Monday, March 5, 2007 } { Posted by HandsNHearts }

Ouch....
I have heard about doing this sort of list, but honestly, it scares me a bit. I don't know that my flesh wants to see it all laid out there in more black and white...I have so much farther to gain in my Walk and I know it already.
Of course, I certainly don't want to be caught hiding my head in the bushes either!
Thank you!
Deanna

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{ 02:51, Monday, March 5, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

Great post, thanks for sharing. I think I'm about the same as you. I do have some trouble in the, let my dh be in control, area. LOL
Kitty