Friday, May 6, 2022

The Quiet Kindness of a Titus 2 Mother

Going to Church, 1853 by George Henry Durrie


Life was much slower in the early part of the last century. Home was the central focus of the family. Its foundation rested on the beauty of faith and trust in God. There was a great love for the Bible and a feeling of joy and peace in our churches.  

Young mothers learned to take care of a home and a family, by observation of their own relatives and neighbors.  It was common to bake bread and make homemade meals because there were no convenience foods readily available as there are today.  It was considered a necessity to garden and prepare nutritious meals to feed the family.  Mothers learned to do these things by helping in their own childhood homes. It was natural to take these skills into homes of their own.

The art of sewing, mending, embroidery, knitting and other homemaking skills were lovely ways to pass the time sitting with the family, or with guests, working out of a"work basket." Mothers were being productive with pleasant chores while accomplishing necessary home - work.  Little ones, as they sat nearby, learned these skills and began sewing and such because this was an important part of taking care of one's things.  When they became Mothers, the work of repairing tears in clothing or of knitting a scarf were easily done because they had accomplished these skills by working at these chores in their childhood homes.

The care of children, and the getting along with family, were daily lessons as one lived together in a home.  The Ten Commandments were taught and practiced. Prayers, kindness, forgiveness, patience, and other virtues were modeled by Mothers and Grandmothers.  Church attendance and charity work, done with a happy heart, helped form sweet characters and good hearts.  Manners were expected to be used, both at home, and in public.  This helped young girls to grow up to be peacemakers. They were able to encourage and teach pleasant interaction with those in their own homes.

A peaceful heart creates a quiet contentment in the soul. When this is cultivated in a Mother, over many years, she becomes the unknowing example to the young Mothers around her. 

 The love of home, of being home, becomes evident when one realizes how dearly much the family needs a place of cleanliness, rest, peace, and beauty.  The old time Mother will do the daily work of welcoming the family and guests, and make them feel comfortable and safe.  She helps provide them with rest and nourishing food so they can do their own work.  She cares for the children with a devoted love - rich with good will. She schedules her day with order by appointing times for meals, chores, baths, study, prayers, and rest. The family is blessed by this example.

Her quiet service is one of tenderness, understanding, patience, and a willingness to labor at a gentle pace. This protects her health and her nerves.This makes her a joy to be around. She is able to cheer others along because she does not rush or allow herself to take on more work than one can manage with calmness. 

The Titus 2 Mother teaches the young Mothers a love of home and family. She does this with a gracious spirit, kind deeds, and loving encouragement.  Through her quiet example, others are inspired to take care of husband, children, and home with a precious and enduring devotion. 

A Mother's work of homemaking is noble and worth more than the costliest ruby.  May we endeavor to find joy in this labor. This is a work of benevolence that will bless the generations that follow. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives-

Precious Homemaking - A Covered Bridge and Graceful Living in Rural Vermont

Blessed by the Work - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker

Teaching Grandchildren - Tea Time - The Importance of Formal Ceremony at Home.


 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -


  For Encouragement in Christian Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book, "Homemaking For Happiness: Wonderful Days at Home."

In this book, you will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

Entries are arranged by season, and include:  "Keeping a Frugal Kitchen;" "Missing the Lilacs;" "An Evening Walk in the Garden;" "At Grandmother's House;" and "Chores for Grandchildren."

You will also find a few photographs showing a little of the local landscape.

Paperback, 307 pages. 




13 comments:

Patty B said...

Many women are still Old Time Mothers even today, but the world rarely hears of it. And when it does, the Old Time Mother is greatly criticized. I still consider myself an old fashioned old time mother. My grandmother and mother taught me homemaking skills, and my deep faith in Our Lord Jesus gives me peace. This post is very much needed for Mother's Day. I only wish more women in the world would embrace the Titus 2 lifestyle. Contrast this lifestyle with all the screaming and protesting this past week regarding abortion. Prayers are greatly needed for our country.
I live close to an Amish community here in northern Minnesota, and I have befriended a couple of the women there. Their lifestyle is very much like the Titus 2 woman. There are indeed many of us old timers out there. I just wish there were more women like described in this article. You wrote a very timely and lovely article! Thank you for this.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it a shame, what is lost not even one generation later?

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post for Mother's Day, Mrs. White! I am an old fashioned mother also. Have a happy Mothers Day!
God bless, Kathy in Illinois

Amelia said...

Hello Mrs. White and a Mother's Day greeting this fine morning. So much beautiful wisdom here, and oh such a breath of fresh air to this old fashioned wife, mother and MiMi to read of another homemaking heart where Christ is so evident. Oh that we would have more mothers who enjoy home, using their hands working quietly and sweetly glorifying the Lord, just by being who we are. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I had you as a neighbor. *big smile*

xo ~Amelia

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I do wish this for my daughters as well as for myself.

Tracy dixon said...

Absolutely love this post. I cherish all the memories of my grandmother and mother. So many young women today did not have that. And we are seeing the repercussions. Oh how I wish we could have more mothers that wanted to become Titus 2 women.

Tori said...

I just wanted to wish you a happy Mother’s Day, Mrs. White. 😊 You are a wonderful source of wisdom for me, and have been over many years, a true blessing as I strive to be a godly mother and wife. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouragement. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Bonnie said...

I was glad to find this blog still up and running! I haven't visited here in awhile. Your words are as encouraging as ever.
I am writing to ask if you happen to remember a particular story I *think* I remember reading about here. It was about a woman who used to send out a homemaking newsletter on an email machine. She was raising several children, and her husband was in and out of prison. She told her story about how the Lord provided for her family and how she never stopped praying for her husband to come to Jesus.
I know this is a long shot and I am sorry for not being able to provide more details, but if you have any information on a story like this could you email me? ma2eight@gmail.com
Thank you!

ANA said...

BENDICIONES SEÑORA WHITE: ME CONSIDERO UNA MADRE ANTICUADA, APRENDI DE NIÑA MUCHAS COSAS QUE ME HAN SIDO UTILES EN MI VIDA DE CASADA Y MADRE, COSER, TEJER, BORDAR, COCINAR, LAVAR PLATOS, LAVAR ROPA ECT. AMO MI VIDA HOGAREÑA, LES ENSEÑE A MIS HIJAS TODO LO QUE APRENDI EN EL PASADO DE MIS TIAS Y ABUELA MATERNA, LAMENTABLEMENTE HOY, AHI MUCHA INFLUENCIA MUDANA QUE QUIERE DESTERRAR ESAS HERMOSAS COSTUMBRES DE ANTAÑO. BENDICIONES DESDE BUENOS AIRES.

Trish Clark said...

Dear Mrs. White;
You are indeed an inspiration to me. When I read your posts I take a deep breath, then I feel as though I can carry on.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Trish Clark

Amelia said...

P.S. I have purchased your newest book...So great to see that! I didn't realize you had written a new book! Wonderful, more Mrs. White! : )

Leslie McKinley said...

Thank you for this beautiful portrait of home life as it ought . I have been enjoying some Grace Livingston Hill books. Such loving reminders of how precious it is to have a mother at home.
Blessings,
Leslie

D said...

How perfect...loving God, and laboring for others at a gentle pace. Thank you, D.