Minding my own Housekeeping Business

Spring has started to show at our property here in Vermont.

Taking care of a home is very much like running an entire business. When my Father used to live with us (along with Mother) for nearly 10 years (in their own section of this large 1800's house), he worked very hard here at home. Taking care of the grounds and house was like a full time job for him.

In winter, Dad used a snowblower and shovel on the walkways and driveway. He kept our cars cleaned off. He used sand and such to protect us as we walked on the ice outdoors. He kept us safe. These were daily chores for him throughout the winter months.  He also maintained the heat and kept the wood stove going.  He warmed up the car for Mother, tucked her in with a warm blanket (for extra comfort), and took her wherever she needed to go for errands, appointments, and to church. 

In the warmer months, he maintained the grounds with a ride-on mower. He kept the weeds under control. He was the one who began all the work of making our property look like a restful park where we could enjoy the beautiful landscape.  He gardened, painted, did household repairs, maintained the vehicles, and managed and procured a supply of wood for each upcoming winter.  

He did all this work on a daily basis from a heart of service. These chores were his own ideas. He was always productive and could do nothing less than make sure his surroundings were cared for and kept nice. His love for family and ability to provide for all of us warms my heart even to this very day.

Mother kept the house looking beautiful. Her daily example of housekeeping, running a kitchen, taking care of flower gardens, and welcoming visitors is admirable and instructive.  She was joyful and kind and dearly loved the family.

Mother and Father have been in Heaven for many years now.  I have always been in awe of their skill and wisdom in making a house a real home.  My husband and I have taken over the work of maintaining this house. We do not have nearly as much skill or wisdom as my parents did.  I often think of how mother kept house and am spurred on each day as I work about the rooms.  My husband remembers all the teachings of my father and has willingly taken over all this work with a grateful heart of service.

I will tell you the secret of how to do all this work with cheer and good will. It has to do with the focus of our mind.  In my parent's generation there was not a constant stream of news from the outside world.  Their focus, naturally, was on their own home and family. 

It has occurred to me recently, as the world has changed so much over these many years, that we are not only distracted by constant news, but by bad news and frightening news. This is stopping many of us in our tracks. It is drawing our thoughts away from our daily work of building up and caring for the home and family.

The secret of having the motivation and energy to keep house has to do with what we tune into. It is about where we focus our energy and thoughts.  It has everything to do with minding one's own business.  

We can do all this only if we do not fear.  We have a great source of protection if we trust our hearts and lives to the Lord.  We must remember that He watches over us every moment of our lives.  We can faithfully do the work at home as we spend our lives in prayer, reading Scripture, and attending church. These good works are the fruit, or the result, of staying close to the Lord.  This is the very example of my parents, and many others from their generation.

We mind our own business as we do the work we have been given by our Heavenly Father.  This reminds me of the words from a dear old hymn. It brings me comfort as I think about all the beautiful work of housekeeping:  "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

This is What many of us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

A Graceful Lesson in Manners and Faith - Waiting for the Door to be Opened. 

Old Time Frugality - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.

 

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Mrs. White's detailed explanation of keeping a financial journal and budget:

 

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"An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife"

77 pages, paperback.