A TRIBUTE TO THE HOMEMAKERS

I was just watching a video broadcast by Lana Vawser and they were talking about the topic of motherhood. I felt it was so apt as this Sun is Mothers’ day. Specifically how a women in full-time ministry is able to juggle ministry-related assignments and raising children. I would encourage you to watch it if you are interested. I was really blessed by their sharing. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=316998269794164&id=100044519792813&anchor_composer=false

During the broadcast, Lana said something that shifted my perspective. It was the word ‘homemaker’. God spoke to her about her being a maker of home not just for her own family but also in the family of God. Wow! God just expanded my job definition! God said a homemaker is someone who makes a home comfortable and welcoming not just in our own family but also for the body of Christ.  

In a way this is so true. In the Joseph ministry I am making a home for the brethren to be comfortable in the family of God. A place where they can be vulnerable, to be loved, to love and pray for one another, to share in each others’ dreams and visions, to support and encourage one another in this journey of faith. I am like the connector who connects various members of the family to one another, who sees where their role fits in the kingdom of God. 

 

Once I used to think of a homemaker job as a lowly task, that which was relegated to a maid, now I see it so differently. A homemaker is such a key and important role in the family. One that cannot be underestimated. She is not just a wife, a mum but also the hub that connects the spokes. Suddenly the Holy Spirit gave me this perspective of the seven mountains that just sits so well with the notion of family. You know the Father’s heart is all about family. His family. 

The mountain of business is like the breadwinner’s role. The one who brings in the bacon. The mountain of education is like the role of a coach or tutor in the family. One who teaches the children in the ways of the Lord so that when they grow up they do not stray from that path. The mountain of media is akin to the role of the communicator, be it within the family or to the outside world. This person will need to have the wisdom to know what to say and how to put a certain message across. 

 

The mountain of church is like the role of the homemaker in a sense. Her primary role is to equip the family members for their calling and their work in the kingdom. This role is different from the mountain of education in that this is more about discipleship. It is a lifelong process. The mountain of arts and entertainment is like the role of the entertainer. Someone who plans out the leisure activities and fun things in the family. 

 

The mountain of government is likened to the head of the household, the one who makes the key decisions and sets the direction in the context of a nation. There needs to be certain structures and boundaries at home in order to have godly order. Last but not least the mountain of family is exactly what it is. In a smaller context it is the family unit or the household. In a larger context it is the family of God or the Body of Christ. I see this role more of an intercessory one, as someone who lifts up prayers for the family. 

 

In the natural sense, many of such roles are fulfilled by the mother, whom indeed is like a ‘superwoman’. She is the coach or tutor, the one who equips her kids and disciples them for their calling. She is often the entertainer, thinking of activities for the family so they can have wholesome fun bonding together. Most of the time she is also a communicator, as she is like the epicentre of all communication within the family, even outside of it. 

 

Then she is also the faithful prayer warrior who offers up prayers for her hubby and her children. She is like the glue in the family, connecting everyone together. The only roles she probably didn’t take on is that of the breadwinner and governor. Well in a way she is helping her hubby to earn some side income through good investment choices. She is like a business woman too. Even in the area of setting up rules for the family, she might not be the face of the governor but she certainly has influence over her husband’s decisions. 

 

In closing I just like to pay a tribute to all the homemakers. May the Lord bless the work of your hands, may He give you joy in the midst of the mundane tasks, may He give you meaning and purpose in the seemingly thankless job you are doing, may you find favour with your hubby and children, may your hubby and children arise to call you blessed, may you see yourself as the Lord sees you as one who excels them all, may He show you the fruits of your labour in your family during this new season and may you find joy and fulfilment in Jesus always!