Preparing a Place of Peace and Joy: The Life-Giving Role of a Christian Homemaker

Welcome to the Thankful Homemaker podcast, a podcast to be an encouragement and blessing to each other in the role God has called us to as women.

I'm so thankful you stopped by, so grab yourself a coffee or tea and sit with me a bit as we talk about how God's Word impacts every area of our lives as Christian women. Hello, friend. I'm Marci Farrell from Thankful homemaker, and I'm so glad to be with you. Today's episode is a bit shorter, and I'm sharing a blog post I recently updated, and it's titled, Preparing a Place of Peace and Joy, the Life-Giving Role of a Christian Homemaker.

So right now, whether you're folding laundry or driving to the store, I'm just going to grab a few minutes of your time, and I pray that these words encourage your heart in your homemaking today. Because mamas, the Lord has entrusted us with a sacred calling, not just in the practical work of running a household, but in the shaping of the whole atmosphere of our homes, our attitude and tone and presence, they set the stage for how our families experience daily life.

Jesus tells us in John 14 too that he is preparing a place for us. Our Savior is making a home for his people. And while our earthly homes may never compare to the glory of heaven, we are still called to steward the homes we have here with care, intention, and purpose. The work we do each day, the laundry and meal planning, conversations around the table, none of it is insignificant. It is life-giving work. And from the beginning, we see that God created women to be nurturers and helpers.

Eve's name means life-giver. And that calling, my friend, continues for us today. Sally Clarkson said in her book, The Mission of Motherhood, she said the common purpose for all women is to glorify God in whatever circumstances and boundaries of life we find ourselves. So whether married or single, with children or without, each of us as women is made to glorify God in our season and use our God-given gifts to bless others.

That's the heart of true homemaking. but let's be honest there are days when we're more life-sucking than life-giving and i've seen it in myself too often a complaining spirit a critical heart self-pity impatience it's easy to let our flesh take over especially when the tasks feel never-ending or unnoticed, God didn't just give us homes to manage. He gave them to us as places of growth and sanctification and service. Our homes are the training ground for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us.

They're where God removes the dross and He purifies our hearts so that Christ's beauty can shine through us. True beauty in homemaking, it doesn't come from perfect decor or spotless counters. It comes from a heart that's aligned with God's will. A home where Christ reigns is one marked by peace, humility, and joy. That beauty, it shines when we care for our families with gratitude.

When we serve without grumbling, and when we greet those things that we like to call interruptions, but they're really not, they're ordained by God. But when we greet those moments with grace, and we remember that we're ultimately serving the Lord, referencing there, Colossians 3, 23 to 24. Our homes can only be places of lasting peace if Christ is at the center. We know this.

I've said this multiple times, and I know you know this, because when we try to do it all in our own strength, we burn out. But when we abide in him, when we remember who we belong to, we find strength, purpose, and peace that lasts. True peace in our homes, it doesn't come from having everything just right or getting through our to-do list. It comes from Christ reigning in our hearts.

The more we abide in him through his word and prayer and obedience, the more that peace is going to flow into how we speak and serve and care for those in our homes. Our homes only reflect true peace to the extent that Christ reigns in us.

That is so important to remember. We don't need to strive to be more or do more. We need to rest in what Jesus has already done. I'm gonna say it here first, Jesus is enough. Let's slow down today. Let's ask ourselves a few questions. Am I embracing the life-giving role that God has called me to? Think about here, what attitudes in our heart might be draining life from our homes? And how can we be more intentional in creating an atmosphere of peace and joy?

It might be as simple as turning off your phone to be present with your family. It might look like lighting a candle and putting on worship music or making your husband's favorite dinner. These little acts, when done for the Lord, they carry eternal value. Jesus is preparing a place for us. But until then, we get to prepare a place for our families, a place that points to him. Martin Luther said, Earth has nothing more tender than a woman's heart when it is the abode of piety.

I love that. So ponder to yourself today, what is one way you're preparing a place of peace in your home this week? And remember always, my friend, Jesus truly is enough always. I'm so grateful for your time today. You can read this whole post over at the blog at thankfulhomemaker.com. It'll be linked wherever you're listening into this. And check out while you're there, if you haven't yet signed up for it, the Library of Free Printables.

And they're there to help you in your homemaking and walk with the Lord. And again, they're free, so take advantage of them. And if today's episode encouraged you, I'd be so, so grateful if you just took a moment to leave a rating or review. It's a really simple way to help other Christian women find the podcast and be encouraged in their walk with the Lord. I am so grateful for you, my friend. And I do pray you have a very blessed week. Music.