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| Our table with a homemade cloth napkin. |
As I went about the work of housekeeping this week, I noticed a carefully mended kitchen towel. It was neatly folded over a towel bar on the stove door. I gave it a little bit of straightening and thought about how it used to be frayed. The fabric had worn-thin in places. I had folded and tucked and sewed it all back together. It now functions again. It is a pretty sage green, looks charming, and is serviceable for the needs of my kitchen. It makes me smile to think of how much of my home and life is in constant need of mending.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed by worries and thoughts and troubles. I get weary and need to rest. But the thoughts plague me. It is then I remember that it is not my burden to bear. I tell myself, "You don't need to fix this. You don't need to think about any of this. All you have to do is rest." I know that the Lord is working behind the scenes. I need only give the troubles to Him and then I can be at peace. I can take breaks and rest and then cheerfully return to my work.
So many people talk about doing whatever they want. "Live free," they say. "Do what makes you happy," they advise. But the problem with this is that it causes confusion. I want to be of the Kingdom of God, doing His will for my life. The advice is not "do what makes you happy," but "be happy doing your duty." This is the secret of peace. It is true freedom. To do God's precious work with a joyful heart brings the greatest happiness you could ever imagine. This is peaceful even when times are difficult. There is the sense of a rested heart even when facing anxious moments, worries, and troubles. All I have to do is rest in the Lord and He will help mend my life. There may be scars, but there is a homemade sense of old-fashioned love and simplicity, which brings peace. I shall not dwell on my worries. I will rest in the Lord.
There is a thread of hope and comfort when we have the foundation of the Lord's promises in our heart. One of the greatest memories I have is of my father singing gospel songs and hymns as he went about the house and garage doing his work. During my growing up years I noticed as he read the Bible to himself, prayed quietly and out loud, and humbly sang the old-time gospel songs he loved so much. This affected my entire life. It provided me with an anchor of hope and trust in God that has stayed with me all these many years. It has helped to mend my life, over and over again, as I cling to those beautiful godly moments of what life really means; of what truly matters.
I want to be that same example to my children and grandchildren. I want them to know that despite a lack of resources, or a lack of money, we can cultivate a beautiful way of life. We can overcome hardships and difficulties by doing our very best to walk with the Lord.
One of my girls has a spare bedroom that has just been emptied. Her youngest is no longer a baby. He has moved to one of the other bedrooms. She mentioned how much she would like to turn it into a little room I can use whenever I am at her house. I have spent many hours there helping with the house and children. But to have a little guest room, for my own use, would make things so much easier. We talked about the possibility of getting a comfortable chair, an end table, and a lamp. I could read in that room. I could rest whenever I felt worn out. And yet, I would always be available, to read to the children, to play with them, to talk, to visit, and to tend to the house. I could do this even if it were only for a few hours a day or in the evenings. What a privilege and honor it would be to serve in this way and be comfortable at the same time.
When I am helping at my daughter's house, I will bring my mending and sewing-projects. I will help with the chores and kitchen work. I will keep my focus on them as if I have all the time in the world. And even if it is only a certain number of hours each week that I am there, I want my presence to give them that same memory and example I have of my dear father as he demonstrated a life consecrated to God.
This is what it means to have a mended life. It is by knowing that we are weak, scarred, and frail, yet leaning on the Lord for our strength. He is like the thread that repairs the holes in the fabric. We are held together by His love and His promises. When we understand that we cannot even walk or breathe without His power, we will have such a grateful sense of dependence on Him. This will free us up to want to be serviceable for noble duties, which is what will bring true happiness for all of our lives.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
Frugal Living - A New England Winter on Small Income.
Taking Care of the Family - A Covered Bridge and Graceful Living in Rural Vermont.
Some Ideas to Help - A Home Without Clutter.
- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -
"At Mother's House" by Mrs. White:
For Encouragement in Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book, from 2016, "At Mother's House: The Blessing of Being a Christian Housewife."
In this book, you will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.
There are 40 entries which include: "Poor and Pretty Living;" "A Home Without Clutter;" "The Money Packets;" "A Church Diet for the Family;" "Bringing Home Baby;" "The Children's Prayers;" "The Shabby Garden:" and "Just a Housewife."
Those who are seeking a peaceful home, with the Lord as the foundation, will find encouragement. (Paperback, 122 pages.)
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