The Housekeepers Symphony

Recently, I've been reflecting on the days when social media was a tad bit simpler. My first introduction to social media was the Yahoo Groups. I miss the days of Yahoo Groups. I stumbled upon this while looking through the archives of one of those groups.

"The Housekeepers Symphony"
by: Marion Wiley

To do the best that I can, from morn till night.
And pray for added strength with coming light;
To make the family income reach alway,
With some left over for a rainy day;
To do distasteful things with happy face,
To try and keep the odds and ends in place.
To smile instead of frown at Fate,
Which placed me in a family always late
For meals; to do the sewing, mending and
The thousand small things always near at hand,
And do them always with a cheerful heart,
Because in life they seem to be my part;
To know the place of everything and keep
It there, to think, to plan, to cook, to sweep,
To brew, to bake, to answer questions,
To be the mainspring of the family clock.
(Or that effect) and see that no tick, tock
Is out of time or tune, or soon or late,
This is the only symphony which I can ever hope to operate.

~appeared in MARY GOES TO THE FARM by Edith Thomas, 1915.

This housekeeper has been busy at home. 

Meal Planning - that includes new recipes for the Fall and Winter months.

Started homeschooling the last child at home.

Redecorated the living room and bedroom - made curtains & pillows, etc.

Cutting fabric for a new Fall table runner and apron. You can see the old ones here and here.

Did inventory on my baking supplies. Got the new list ready and marking things off as I gather them.

Making meals for new moms. I really enjoy this part!

There's so much that a housekeeper can do around her home. I have made a choice to be busy at home and not get distracted. I don't want to be a housekeeper who appears to be physically in the home, but her heart and mind are somewhere else. I've striving to be like her...

"She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."

~Proverbs 31:27

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

By: William Ross Wallace

 William Ross Wallace, the author of this poem, was born in 1819. He passed away in 1881.

I have always wondered where that saying, "the hand that rocks the candle is the hand that rules the world" came from. Now I know. 

Words of a Homemaker

God, I want to do great things for you,

And speak to all the nations!

God replies:

That's well and good,

But for now

Fix your children's complications.

Lord, I want to straighten up the world,

Feed the hungry and fulfill someone's wishes!

God says:

Fine, but for the present,

You need to wash the dishes.

Lord, I want to preach, proclaim your name

And bring salvation to the earth!

God says:

Good! Then teach your children

And preach my name to those you've given birth.

At the end of the day,

I think of all I've done.

But as I look it seems,

I've accomplished nothing for the Son!

God I had no time to witness one on one,

I couldn't join my church group,

They said I missed out on lots of fun.

My household is the only thing

That managed to be cleaned,

My neighbor is the only one,

Besides my family I could feed.

The only ones I've read Your Word

Are those within my home.

God I've done so very little

And I feel so all alone!

God says:

I've seen the way you cleaned and cooked

And taught your kids My name.

Tomorrow morning at eight o' clock,

I'll watch you do the same.

The work you do at home,

Though no one really sees,

Is helping to raise little ones

To grow and worship me.

My ways are not your ways,

I don't expect you yet to see,

But the precepts that you've taught your children,

Will help others bow the knee.

Your children will reach out to others,

Your example in their mind.

They'll do great work for Me

And their children will respond in kind.

The hand that rules the world,

Also rocks the cradle.

Because of you, your children love Me,

All their hearts are stable.

Though your house is your domain,

Your tasks seem rather plain,

Your efforts will reach the multitudes,

Though from humble work they came.

I found this on the internet. I tried finding the author of this poem, but couldn't. Whomever wrote this poem, I want to say thank you. 

~~~~~

Yesterday after church, my children were talking about how much they appreciated us for not making them feel like a burden when they were younger. I sat there with a joyful heart as I looked at them while they were eating. The thoughts rapidly raced through my mind of the different times when they reached milestones in their lives.

How quickly they grow up. Cherish your children. Make a memory today. You can never have this day with them again. Watch them and keep them close. They may reach a milestone today. Don't miss it.

~~~~~

I hope and pray that all homemakers feel encouraged today and the days to come. Please know that what you do today, will be your reward tomorrow.

His Stamp of Approval

If I count the times I tried to seek approval of man,
The number would be too great for me to comprehend.

There I was running to and fro,
To only be seen during the show.

What show you may say?
You know, the one where everybody wants to be on display.

Spending all night wondering what to wear,
Cause I knew that those women would be there.

Looking at me up and down,
Would I get a nod or would I get a frown?

Yes, this is my little girl you see,
Wearing yet another "homemade" dress made by me.

But why do I bother you so?
Is it really my clothes or my nose?

I understand you're speechless while you think,
Your crossed eyed looks no longer made me sink.

Please take a closer look at me,
Your stamp of approval you will no longer see.

I'm not sure if you've heard what's being said,
But I've applied something from the Word of God that I read.

I had a choice to please God or you,
God I chose because He will always be true.

I can't believe I strive so hard to be a part of your clique,
All the while I felt guilty ignoring the new chic.

Now I free and a bond servant of Christ,
Wearing His stamp of approval feels so right.

~By: Sandra King

This poem is written after reading Galatians 1:10, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

As a woman, I can strive so hard to seek the approval of other women. In doing so, I'm not pleasing God because I can be so focused on pleasing other women. I want to be accepted. It's easy to feel like a chameleon.

If I tried to fit in with a group of ladies that looked down on women with more than two children, I would downplay my desire to have more. My heart would just ache because I was wrong. I remember "hanging out" with some women who bashed their husbands. I sat there and tried to conjure up things about my husband because I wanted to participate in the conversation. Only to have the Lord tap me on the shoulder and let me know that I wasn't honoring Him nor my husband.

I love to fellowship with other women. I'd be the first to hitch a ride and share in the breaking of bread. On one occasion when I did, I came home "tripping." My poor husband and kids didn't know what got into me. I came through the door demanding my rights. I had a right to go out when I wanted to. I had the right to go out and eat when I didn't feel like cooking. I had a right not to give my husband sex when he wanted it. I had no idea that I had a right to make him go months without it and dared him to get it from somewhere else. I had a right to go out and get an education in case Don left me. Not only did I have a right, I was entitled to it.....according to what I heard during the fellowship.

I knew in my heart that in order to please God, I couldn't please man. Trying to get a stamp of approval from others will cause you to live in bondage. Christ has come to set you free. When Christ sets you free, you are free indeed. Free from man pleasing. Get His stamp of approval and be free.

Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say

Gossip Corner

by Ellen Bailey

Do you have a gossip corner inside your home A place to spread rumors or create your own A place where prattle can be spread around town A place that allows others to drag someone down Unfounded gossip can travel in many directions Overcoming obstructions and evading correction It can negate happiness and put sorrow in its place It can erase a smile and put tears on someone's face Smearing others and tarnishing their reputations Should be left to those of a younger generation We who are older and are supposed to be mature Should not abet in spreading this kind of manure Quell the gossip that tries to enter into your home Do not give it more legs on which to further roam Replace it with mentions of truly honorable deeds And demonstrate to others your personal integrity

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As keeper of my home, it's my duty to guard what comes into my house. There are so many things that we wouldn't dare allow to come into our house. Some of the obvious are R-rated movies that would cause sleepless nights to our young children and make our teenagers hormones rage off the charts. We wouldn't allow secular music to enter our homes and fill our kids minds with fantasies that are unrealistic and cause us to think about past relationships when "our song" would come on. Especially those slow jams from the 80s. I for one check every piece of garment that my kids buy from the store. There's no room in the drawers and not enough hangers in the closet for immodest clothes and pants that will fall to the ground because the proper size wasn't purchase.

As I keep a watchful eye on what comes into my home, some things come in that I can't see. They travel in through the hearts of those who enter my home. Whether it's someone who lives here or someone else who brings it in. They are invisible and unless I'm God, which I'm not, I can't see them. One of those things is gossip. When we hear the word gossip right away red flags go up and we disassociate ourselves from that word. In reality, who wants to be known as a gossip or even associated with one. No one. But the sad truth is.....we have all been there and done that. Praise God for growth and the truth that resides in His word.

I remember once while teaching Sunday school many years ago, a little boy looked up at me and said, "Sister King you're really nice and I don't know why my mom talks about you."

I would like to caution you to be careful what you say around your children. If they don't repeat what you say about someone, their actions will show towards that adult that you're talking about.

There have been many wonderful children who have walked away from the Lord. Not because of what mom and dad did in the home, but because of what mom and dad said in the home. What they said about other people sitting around the dinner table and on the phone. What's a child to do when parents have another couple over from for coffee and they hear them talk about Brother and Sister John & Jane Doe. Guard your home! Don't allow anything to enter your home that does not glorify God and/or His people.

There are many quotes regarding gossip:

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
Spanish Proverb

The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
Will Rogers

Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility.
Josiah Gilbert Holland

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
Will Rogers

Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?'
Johann K. Lavater

Proverbs 26:20 - Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

My Prayer For Homekeepers

Humbly I bow before You Father
On my bended knees I pray.
Matters of my heart are many, I have so much to say.
Encouragement my sister she needs,
Keeping her home with a family she feeds.
Embracing the changes occurring in her life,
Everyday she's serving as a mother and trying to be a virtuous wife.
Please Lord give her the strength to endure,
Even in her darkest hour You're there for sure.
Remind her of the great job she's doing,
Still on today Lord, let her hear You wooing.

By: Sandra King
Written on January 11, 2005

There are times I've neglected the most important relationship in my life. My relationship with the Lord. No, I haven't fallen off the band wagon or ran away from home to go find myself. But, as a keeper of my home, my days are filled with the many tasks that are set before me. I'll admit that days have gone by without me stopping to talk with the Lord. What I mean is, I can go without days going into my prayer closet. That secret place where I can just pour my love on the Lord.

When my husband makes a request for me to spend time with him, I'm quick to respond to his needs. What about the Lord? I must take the time to spend and go into that secret place. How can I do that with the kids and my husband wanting my full undivided attention? Let's not forget the house that needs to be tended to and meals that need to be prepared.

This morning I went to that secret place. Although physically I didn't go, but my heart was there. While making blueberry muffins and eggs this morning, my heart just became full. Full of love for my Heavenly Father who just wanted to talk to me even in the midst of making breakfast for my family. I stopped for just a quick minute and shared with the Lord out of a heart with gratitude. So much gratitude that words of expression couldn't flow from my lips. God knew that my words were few, but the tears were many. Expressions from a heart so in love with Him. Not only for what He has done, but for who He is.

The Presence

The Presence

I kept hearing whispers in the night.
Oh who can it be, who can it be?
But when I arose there was no one in sight.

My heart did not pound in fear,
But I knew there was a Presence near.

"What is it You want from me?" I asked.
Oh who can it be, who can it be?
For Your presence I can not see.

Then this loud voice I heard,
Without this Presence saying a word.

"Is that my name I hear you call?"
Oh who can it be, who can it be?
"Yes," You say, "because I want to hear it all."

"I don't know what to say,
But such a peace has come my way."

You tell me not to hurry
Oh, who can it be, who can it be?
And that time shouldn't be a worry.

"But, I don't want this time to end.....
Will You come here again?

~By: Sandra M. King

I was inspired to write this after an experience I had one night. How many times does the Lord want to have intimate time alone with us? Just as in a marriage relationship, at times intimacy takes place long after the day is done. One thing God really showed me is that intimacy is not rushed. So often intimacy can be rushed because we may feel uncomfortable. If we are not used to His presence or being intimate with our spouse, it can cause some feelings of discomfort. At times when we are given a choice to engage in intimacy, we shy away from it because we become vulnerable. We have to let our guard down and that means exposing things that are deep within us. So we hold back, from God and our spouses.

When day started to break and the sun was rising from the mountain top, I was faced with something else. I knew that at any moment the kids would wake up and I needed to embrace them as I do every morning. I asked the Lord if He would come here again. I didn't hear God say anything. I thought about it for a moment, and wondered.....I shouldn't ask Him if He would come here again. Of course He would, if I allowed Him to.

A Woman's Hands

"A Woman's Hands"
by: Sandra King

Soft to the touch and beautiful to the eye
are a woman's hands
Working diligently from sunrise to sunset
are a woman's hands

Are my 2 hands and 10 fingers enough to take on the battles in life
and eventually win the war?

Soothing the cry of a baby and nursing a sick child
are a woman's hands
Redirecting and correcting in the right directions
are a woman's hands

Yes your hands and fingers are enough. Don't run from the battle
you can win this war.

Underestimated for their strength and longevity
are a woman's hands
They may grow tired, but they never quit
are a woman's hands

Psalm 144:1 - Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle-

Lonely as they walk down the neighborhood streets
are a woman's hands
Looking for a sister or friend to share life with
are a woman's hands

Ready to fight even if I have to go at it alone. To much is at stake
and I can't afford the price if the war is lost

Geared up to defend family, faith and friends
are a woman's hands
Ready, set, go.....as they stretch toward heaven
are a woman's hands

When God saw my palm and finger prints, He knew it was me.
For there is none in heaven or on earth like mine

At last they sway from side to side
are a woman's hands
Proclaiming victory and they worship the Lord God Almighty.