Settling in to Homemaking

Park Bench at Mrs. White's House in Vermont.

There is a way of quiet, peaceful living when one slows down and stays at home.  There is plenty to do in regards to the care of the grounds, gardens, flowers, and porches. The outdoor work is a lovely time of enjoying nature and seeing the beauty all around as the care and keeping of home is happening.

Back inside the house, I tend to pace myself as I clean, organize, and work in the kitchen. There is so much to do each day that it keeps things interesting and pleasant to have a variety of necessary work involving my favorite place on earth - our home.

I have not had the energy to make homemade meals and baked goods. We have been away at the hospital a couple of times for medical care. Things are better now. I need to get back into a quiet routine of homemaking.

There are always things that take up our time and energy. These include phone calls, handling appointments, processing bills and paperwork, and managing the finances. These tire the mind and cause us to need more rest.  There are also the needs of extended family with requests of assistance, visits, and providing welcoming hospitality.  These are all acts of kindness which are a blessing in life. Yet they wear us out if we do not have moments of rest and a focus on calmness. 

When someone is a patient under medical care, visitors are often advised not to tire the patient.  There are visiting hours so proper rest can happen.  Guests are told not to talk about stressful things and to avoid startling noise. This same advice is good  for everyone. We all need peace and rest each day.  Can we provide this same atmosphere at home?

Old fashioned homemaking requires a caretaker for home life. Someone oversees the needs of the entire household.  This person can be a skilled, loving worker, or it may be an overbearing, impatient boss. If we want a pleasant home, we must learn to have the heart of a servant who has the wisdom to properly manage a routine of rest and work.

As I am settling into being home again, I want to plan out my days to accomplish work and also enjoy times of rest. I will make homemade soup this morning. Tomorrow I hope to bake bread. This will provide us with nourishing food for the weekend.  

There are little tasks that must be done each day. I find joy in washing the dishes as I think about beautiful old hymns and the promises of Scripture. I have a sense of contentment as I hear the chirping of birds from the window.  We can find rest in the midst of our work if we focus on that which is lovely. The work gets done with a cheerful heart. 

 The beauty of home is created in the way we keep house. It is done through gentle moments of chores.  We do not let things pile up and overwhelm us.  We do little jobs throughout the day to maintain a pleasant home. We take many rests and tea breaks. We enjoy our efforts; we do not dread them.

It is possible to cultivate a pleasant environment by the good deeds we do each day with a sense of grace and compassion.  Our manners and attitude must shine through with pleasantries, revealing a sweet and gentle spirit. This happens naturally when we walk with the Lord, drawing from Him the strength and peace we all need.

Slow paced living, with a servant's heart, is a blessed way to live. We do it for the Lord.  Here, in this type of home, we will find rest for our souls.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Peaceful living From the Old Days - Sunday Driver. 

Old Time Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.  

Living on a Small Income - Standard of Living. 

 

 

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Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs.White's book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  

 

Paperback, 274 pages.