What Is Homemaking? A Biblical Perspective

Hello, mommas!

I have three main pillars of content here on the blog: motherhood, faith, and homemaking, and today I thought I would share with you something that’s been on my heart lately: homemaking.

First of all, what is homemaking? What are your thoughts straight off the bat?

Isn’t Homemaking the same as Housework?

From my observations, some people see homemaking as synonymous with housework, and therefore as something that only people who do housework as a full-time occupation need to be interested in.

When they think of homemaking, they think of the 1950’s housewives who spent their days doing crochet and making pies.

Yes, these women are examples of homemakers, but housework does not equate to homemaking and all that it encompasses.

First, what’s the difference between a house and a home?

Most people would say something like this: a house is a brick and mortar building, with walls and rooms, whilst the home is everything that makes the house feel cozy and brings and creates memories: photos, cushions, books, toys, games.

This is important for the different concepts of housework and homemaking because you can do housework (for example, cleaning and tidying) without creating a home.

A good example of this is what cleaning professionals do. They come in and clean your house, but they can’t create a home for you. Only you, as the CEO of the house, can do that.

So what exactly is homemaking? How do you create a home?

Definition of Homemaking

The dictionary defines homemaking as “the establishment or management of a home”, so establishment is laying the root foundations and management is the daily upkeep that keeps the home functional.

It’s interesting to note, though, that while establishing and managing our home does involve practical cleanliness, organization, meal functioning, budgets, errands, and more, there is another side to establishing and managing a home.

And that is relationships, family culture, and team building. Yes, all this is home.

So this leads me to…

What is a Homemaker?

A homemaker, simply put, is a person who establishes and manages a home in terms of the practical day-to-day organization, and cultivates community between those who are part of the household.

The Importance of a Homemaker

Homemakers are vital to the well-being of the home because:

– A homemaker creates and cultivates an atmosphere of peace, security and comfort;

– A homemaker creates and cultivates a family culture of openness, vulnerability and support;

– A homemaker teaches her children hard work and service and that everyone can contribute to the family team.

Why is Homemaking Important for Christian Mums?

Homemaking is important because as Christian mums we’re called to disciple and raise our children, support and love our husbands, and steward the home God has given us to manage (Titus 2: 3-5).

In terms of relationships, skills, and discipleship, I’ve found that home is the main place where I teach my children life skills (table manners, for instance) and teamwork (taking turns, sharing, and helping each other) and where I disciple them and teach them about Jesus.

(My husband does this too, but because he works outside of the home, I do it more frequently).

As a homemaker, I also manage all the housework, some of which I do on my own, and the other of which I delegate to others. For instance, my children do simple chores like folding laundry, laying the table, and loading the dishwasher.

I know that as a homemaker I have my unique way of working the practical aspects of the home. For example, I enjoy working with cleaning checklists, hacks and time-savers, and meal planning.

But I believe each homemaker will have a unique way of managing the practical aspects of the home, with different strengths.

Some homemakers will excel with hospitality and making meals. Some will enjoy cleaning. Others arts and crafts in the house. We’re all different. We’re all unique.

The main thing to keep in mind is that while our earthly homes are important because God has given them to us to steward, they’re just temporary. They’re not our true home.

True Home

As Christians who have been saved and redeemed, we’re not truly at home while we live in this broken world. The Bible calls us citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21) and temporary residents and foreigners in the world (1 Peter 2:11). We will only be truly at home when Jesus comes back and we see Him face to face.

So today my encouragement to you is to steward the home God has given you here on Earth, but set your heart on your heavenly home. Let that be where you store your treasure.

Conclusion

Homemaking is about establishing and managing a home both in practical terms (cleaning, laundry, meals, errands) and in terms of relationships (team building, taking turns, sharing, loving one another).

As Christian mommas, homemaking is about stewarding our homes well and teaching our children about Jesus as part of our everyday life in the home.

It’s also important, however, that we remember that while our earthly homes are blessings from God, they are temporary and merely shadows of our real home which we will experience when Jesus comes back.

So Biblical homemaking is about stewarding our Earthly homes to glorify God, while setting our hearts on our Eternal home.