The Respite Before Church

A loud sermon played on the CD radio in my kitchen. I washed the dishes, swept the floor and polished the stove.  I listened to spiritually quickening nourishment, while I tidied the parlour. Then I heard the church bells ring. I knew it would be time to leave soon.

There is a short time between daily tasks and religious duties that are like a "respite" for the soul.  It is when we prepare for the unseen joy of seeking holiness.

Yet, if we left the house a mess, or did not prepare in advance to take care of our earthly work, oh how restless and distracted we would be during the church time!

We can slowly walk away from our work, knowing it was well done.   We take a worldly break and head to the sacred time of heavenly things.    Is this a foreshadowing of things to come?

Some preparation time is necessary. If we are having a quiet Bible time at home, we gather our Bible and books and papers. We settle ourselves in our usual place before we begin. This is part of the respite. This is all part of the expectation and the eagerness, during the break between earthly and heavenly matters.

If we are to attend church and must travel, the time we get ready, or walk or drive is the respite.   It is a time of contemplation, and a readiness, to rid of us worldly thoughts, so we can focus on better things.

I wonder if those few moments before mortal death, the saints feel a blissful peace as they enter their long-awaited home in the heavenly realm?

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

The Wasting of Money - Electricity as an Entertainment Expense.

Every Home Should Have - A Housewife on Duty.

Through the Good and the Bad - As Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing at Home.

 

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Simplifying Dreaded Obligations

I walked the property today. (Our 2 Acre, Vermont Estate). It is peaceful, quiet, and lovely. I checked on my plants and my new garden.  It is pleasant to just keep house and to work on home tasks.

But behind these domestic scenes, I have obligations that I must keep up with. There are projects I agreed to do.   But I am dragging myself to get them finished.  I don't know why I agree to do things that wear me out and cause stress, but I do.

So tonight, I will sip on hot tea and make a long list of all the things I must do.  Then each week, I will attempt to accomplish one or two until they are all completed.

Someday I will learn only to take on projects that will bring me peace and happiness, rather than make me feel overwhelmed.

Once my list is ready, the rest will be step-by-step, until it is all cleared away and finished. What a relief that will be when it is over with!

As a reward for making this list,  I will sit on my front porch and enjoy a new book, early tomorrow morning. Then I will happily shine and sparkle my home.  And I will listen to old sermons and Gospel Music, which is my greatest hobby of all.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Humble but Lovely- An Elegant Home Despite Poverty.

So Precious - What Sundays Used to Mean to Housewives.

What Will it Take? - Homemaking Survival.


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Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs. White's book,

 - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

 Paperback, 274 pages.

Holiness from the Garage

I love walking into an old-time church. The congregation is often a humble, kind group who are there to join together in prayer and worship. These kinds of churches are hard to find, but they are such a blessing!

I think about these churches when my Father (Grandpa) is out working on the property. He is in his 70's and keeps busy maintaining the grounds and doing repair projects. He has full possession of our two-car garage. He uses it as a workshop. There is a wood stove in there, counters, and tools. He also has a cassette player and 8 track player in there.

Throughout the day, I can hear the sounds of holiness coming from the garage. Grandpa plays old gospel music or old sermons of his brother preaching. It gives me a warm feeling of comfort. I am safe here because of Grandpa. I go about my housekeeping with the windows open, and I can hear the precious sounds of worship and spiritual nourishment. It awakens me to live a holy life. It protects me from worldly distractions. It is a testimony that says, Grandpa is here.

In my section of the house, I am often listening to sermons or old gospel music. I read my Bible and pray and delight in spiritual duties. I am continuing Grandpa's tradition and passing it on to the next generation.  As my children age and mature, they will be drawn to this kind of life.  They will be drawn to the peace and joy which comes from religious duties. It is the legacy of holiness.

blessings
Mrs. White
(Updated Feb. 2025: Nana and Grandpa lived with us, here in this house, for 9 years. They passed into heaven some years ago.)

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"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.

Those who are seeking a peaceful home, with the Lord as the foundation, will find encouragement. (Paperback, 122 pages.)

The Sewing Hour

There is a time, in a homemaker's day, called The Sewing Hour. It is when she sits quietly in the parlor and works on the sewing. Perhaps she is mending the family wardrobe? Or maybe she is hand-sewing a hem on a new garment? I am often working on an apron. There was a time when I would crochet a baby afghan, or sew a toddler quilt while praying or singing hymns.  This is a precious time of quiet devotion.

I urge you, dear ones, to use this time to listen to a godly, inspiring, convicting sermon. When the hour has past, you will put down your sewing and your heart will be full. Even though you may hold back tears (because of the sermon), you will get up and minister to your family!

Blessings,
Mrs. White

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