Sunday, May 01, 2005

My Homekeeping Mission

I developed this mission statement to clarify my goals as a homekeeper:


My vision is to serve my family without worry of being paid.

Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ. --Colossians 3:23-24

I will serve my family from home by becoming an excellent steward of my resources, to do much with little.

I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith. I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound: both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. Philippians 4:11

I will develop a routine and budget that preserves our time together as a family.

Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife. --Proverbs 17:1

I will search out the bounty of food for my family that is both healthy and inexpensive.

Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. --Proverbs 6:8

I will create warm and comfortable surroundings using handmade and reused materials.

For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged for us. --2 Maccabees 2:30.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is awesome. Thank you for writing it out so clearly and for the scripture references. I am feeling such a strong calling to embracing exactly this mission!! I like that you called it a mission, I will be remembering that as I do laundry today!!

Ann @TheAssetEdge said...

Every woman should have a mission statement for whatever work she does - whether in her career, as a homemaker, as a wife, or as a mom. We talk about career-based mission statements a lot, but I've never read a detailed mission statement for homemaking like yours. I love it, and now I want to write my own. Thanks for the inspiration!

Catherine said...

Hi, I just stumbled over your blog... what a great idea to have a mission statement as a mum. Yours is fantastic, too. Very inspiring!

DD said...

This is good. I am really working on not being a whiner. I am lucky to be able to be home and take care of my family! But it's just so tiring sometimes....

Lana said...

I love this! How quickly we can lose heart but a "true vision" keeps us going...

May the Lord bless you!

Anonymous said...

I am thankful to see your sense of purpose and intentional living. I am pregnant with my first child, and my heart longs to not waste my time as mom. One resource I have found helpful in encouraging me to fix my eyes on Christ as I serve my husband is www.reviveourhearts.com . Also, there is a mission statement for all women at www.truewoman.com . They have drafted a 'true woman manifesto' that is a beautiful picture of God's plan for women, married, mother, or not.

Paige

Kathy Butryn said...

This really encouraged me. Thank you. You have helped me bring some clarity to my thoughts as I look forward to 2009 and my goals for keeping my home!

Love your blog by the way.

kathy

Kathy Butryn said...

My name is Kathy Butryn...drop by and see me at www.theheartchangeplace.blogspot.com!

Elisabeth said...

Just discovered your blog and love it!

tchrmom said...

Meredith, I've taken holiday but I'm back and totally encouraged once again by your blog. Your focus amazes me.

Any suggestions on getting organized? Julie Morganstern, Emilie Barnes, Martha Stewart are heroes in that department, but I need methods that don't take days to digest and then months to get used to implementing. My mil is a perfect housekeeper/organizer. I would love to be her equal, though we've never walked in the same shoes.

My hangup is...why make sure the right glasses are all lined up in the cupboard just right when you've got many more things to do and kids needing attention? Am I a horrible housekeeper b/c my folded bedsheets don't lie perfectly flat in the linen closet? I need approval that my focus on homeschooling and balancing out our activities and home life is more vital than whether every dust bunny is vacuumed.

I don't want to get into the Mary vs. Martha bit; I believe in both, though Mary should come first.
I'd love to see you blog about this topic....or have you already?

You understand, with all that you juggle, I know you do; how do you do it all w/o losing too much sleep?!

Anonymous said...

Hi Meredith!

Just wanted to let you know that I have so enjoyed reading your blog! You have so many great ideas. I hope someday to be a wife who is as resourceful and wise as you. Thanks! - Molly

check out my blog:
www.mollykramer.tumblr.com

MomladyHeather said...

I really like this blog. For those who wonder HOW to balance the time thing, I have found that if I spend 10-15 minute early in the morning and before bed at night in prayer and scripture study I can pretty much do it all. I think this is because it fills me with the spirit of Christ and makes me clear minded, efficient, focused and energetic. I alway joke that God helps me do my laundry, but it's true. When I put Him first in the morning my day works for me. When I slack, I spin in useless circles. (I have four children)

Amanda on Maui said...

Have you heard of The Flylady? A Christian woman who runs a website, and radio show, about keeping your home in tip top shape without stress.