Maybe it’s because I am a product of the 80’s and the feminine movement, that I sometimes feel that “there’s got to be more” to my often boring and tedious life.  I spend a good portion of my day doing dishes, washing clothes, picking up after others, etc, etc. I am an intelligent woman.  I have so much better things to be doing with my life.  When I feel this rant coming on, I have to remind myself of a few things:

1.      All professions include some tedious and boring work.  Most people in this world have jobs that are entirely tedious and boring.  The little I do in the comfort of my home with all the conveniences warrant few complaints.

2.      I chose this job.  I weighed the options.  I decided that this was the best option for my husband and children (and me!)

3.      It’s good for me not to be able to boast that “I am the president of this or I am the head of that.”  Housewife seems humble, and God knows that I need that.  Pride is the root of all sin.

4.      And finally, as Mother Teresa said, “Do little things with great love.”  Sure other people can do my laundry or cook my meals, but only I can do them with the great love that I have for my husband and children.  And because this is the work that God has given me, love of God.

This love for others and God in our work is what matters most, whether we are counting money in a bank or scrubbing floors.  All vocations have worth when viewed in this way.  We especially can see this in the vocation of wife and mother.  The love that mothers give to their families is so evident in all the work they do for them, even though we moms do forget this at times and start to complain.

Embrace your vocation, Mothers!  This is God’s way for you to love Him and your family. Love your children through the grimy fingerprints.  Love your husband through his dirty socks.   How beautiful a family is when it is built by a mother who loves like this.

My Smart Martha Tip for the month: Take your housewife vocation seriously:  Buy a new broom.  No, really.  OK, maybe not a new broom, but something else that will help you put extra care or ease into one of your tasks.

By using proper tools and methods, you show respect for this vocation.  If not anything else, a fresh broom can serve as a reminder to do these tasks worthy of the love you have for your family.  If you were a professional hairdresser, you’d have the best scissors you could afford.  If you were a professional trainer, you’d have the best workout equipment.  You are a professional housewife and mother.  Treat yourself within reason and what is affordable to the best in your profession.  Luckily, a new broom can be bought for under $10.00.

Here are some inexpensive ways to ”freshen your vocation.”

1.      Put old kitchen towels into the rag bin and replace with new.

2.      Get a fancy new hot pad or oven glove.

3.      Buy some new placemats or tablecloth for the dinner table.

4.      Replace old cookie sheets.

5.      Put fresh flowers in your home. (They are only $3.99 at ALDI’s)

6.      Is there a pan that would make life a little simpler?  My new omelet pan makes flipping omelets a joy!

7.      Get a CD player or radio in your laundry room and/or kitchen.

8.      Is it time for a new duster?  I’ve heard people swear by ostrich feathers.  I prefer wool, but have also been impressed with the new “static” ones.

9.      Definitely get a new kitchen-dish brush or a new sponge.

10.  Make a list of failing or old appliances that will need to be replaced and when the budget allows, start replacing.  Don’t you love using a new vacuum cleaner!

If these ideas don’t appeal to you, next time you are at Target just peruse the kitchen utensil aisle or the broom aisle and see if there is something there to “freshen your vocation.” Beware of extra clutter, though!  In all cases, we are replacing something.  Right?

On my next shopping trip, I am planning on a new wire whisk (the best Walmart has to offer!) My current one now has a loose wire that was the bane of my existence last time I was trying to make a sauce.

Copyright 2010 Tami Kiser

Most of us probably are familiar with the Martha/Mary story in the Bible.  We all cringe when we hear Jesus reprimand Martha. For what? Doing the dishes?  No, that wasn’t it.  Martha gets reprimanded for her anxiety and busyness.  “You are anxious and worried about many things, but only one thing is important . . .” Jesus told her.

Yep, that sums it up for most of us I am guessing.  Most of us get caught up in our busy lives, going from one thing to the next.  And then we worry about what needs to get done and what wasn’t done.

But, we really do have a lot of “stuff” we have to get done.  Our children will get left at soccer practice.  Our dirty laundry will take over the laundry room.  And our husbands will starve.   If we don’t worry about these things, then who will?

Well, first of all, let’s get Smart about this.  And this is what I mean about Smart: God has told us that when we seek His Kingdom first, everything else that we need will be given to us. (Matthew )  Also, God tells that all things work out for the good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) If we have faith in God, we know that if we put Him first and love Him, then everything will be alright, better than alright. This is even if there is suffering or loss involved.  And hasn’t this been our own experience?

This is the message in the Mary/Martha story.  Mary has chosen Jesus first.  She knows when to spend time with Jesus even though her sister and the dishes are calling. Her priorities are perfect. Mary is Smart enough to see now is the time to be with Jesus.  The dishes can wait.  This seems so obvious to us now, but how often do we brush our children aside for an email we have to finish, skip a daily Mass for a trip to the store, or pretend we don’t see someone in order to avoid a lengthy conversation.  Were those opportunities to spend time with Christ and put him first?  Maybe.

Sometimes the way we put Jesus first is to do the dishes.  We can do our tasks as wife and mother well.  This pleases God.  We can also spend time visiting with others while doing dishes—like our child or spouse.  Or we can actually pray while doing the dishes.

This is where we need to be Smart. Like Martha, my heart that loves Jesus often gets shut out by the busyness of life.  I just go, and go, and forget to look to Christ.  I just do the dishes.  I don’t pay attention to whether I should be doing the dishes now or even turn my thoughts to God.  I simply forget.

So a Smart thing to do is to use reminders.  Daily prayers, Mass, quiet times, spiritual reading, fellowship with other Christians, etc. are all ideas to slow us down and return us to Jesus’ feet.  Our goal is to live our lives at Jesus’ feet.  Sometimes this may mean actually sitting down and praying, but  it may also mean going about our daily tasks with our hearts still turned to him.

Being Smart in this way is the primary message of my Smart Martha ministry.

I explore this Mary/Martha message with women so that we can help one another live every moment in the presence of Christ.

Although being Smart in this way is the primary goal of Smart Martha, I also spend a good deal of time sharing Smarter ways to do the tasks of our vocation as wife and mother.  In other words, Smarter ways to get those dishes done.  We want to work Smarter not harder, so we can use our extra time and energy to achieve the first goal and to be more present to our family and friends.

Copyright 2010 Tami Kiser

Those thoughts connected me to someone in time that I never even meet.  We bought the house from her daughter some years after she and her husband had passed from this world to the next.  They had the house built and raised 6 children here.  Now it is our turn.  When we bought the house we had lots of wallpaper to tear down, every room to paint, carpet to throw out.  The basement we completely ripped a part and started from scratch.  Not much of the house looks like it did when we first bought it except for that chandelier.  When we walked through the house the first time I said we will have to replace it. However, when it came time and I looked around for lighting I could not find anything more beautifully etched than those globes she picked out 43 years before.  I told my husband we will keep the chandelier.

The chandelier globe connects me to the one who went before me here. Now I live where she lived and I feel her past in this house and it is peaceful.  I know that so many people want to buy new houses and have exactly what they want where they want it.  Who wants to deal with remodeling and old water heaters going out?  As for me I love that she lived here, I mean not just existed within these walls that my family calls home but that she called this place home as well.  Even though I will never meet her or know that much about her I will always feel a connection. That we have as mothers, wives and the woman of this house who cleaned the chandelier globes for a party year after year.  That is a precious realization for me.

Do you live in an old house?  Have you ever felt the connection I spoke of before?  Even if you live in a new house when you have left this world someone will be there raising their family and appreciating your taste and feeling your presence.  We are all connected in this world and the more that we recognize that intricate relationship with others the more we feel like family in this world. We as moms no matter where we are from, what we own or don’t own, how rich or poor,  all have a common bond.  We are all connected in one way or another in this world to each other.  Some connections are easy to recognize like the relationships we have with family and friends.  Others are passed over without even realizing it. Today reflect on the thought that each woman you see could be a mom and in knowing that fact alone she already has a bond with you.

Copyright 2009 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp

When I was growing up, my mom always took such great care to lovingly decorate our home.  Some years, I feel the urge to decorate a bit more and other years less.  This year was a great year for decorating, as Adam was a big helper and we hosted Greg’s work party, which always inspires me to take some extra steps.

Here are a few photos of our home – I’d love to see yours too, so if you post a home tour on your blog, please drop a comment below with a link so I can come visiting.  I promise to bring a tray of cookies!

Part of our outside lighting.  If it stands still, Greg will hang a strand of Christmas lights on it!
We light up the whole neighborhood.

My favorite of our Nativity Scenes.

Our guest bathroom – I try to keep the boys out of here in December!

Our “Christmas Village” – We had fun setting out all of the pieces this year!

The stockings hung by our chimney, with care, and some of my collection of angels playing the violin

A few of our favorite Santas – can you tell musicians live in my house?

Our Christmas tree and an ever present guitar in the background!

Our Advent wreath – which is also a Nativity.  This is not a very good photo of it, but I love it!

The boys’ collection of Nutcrackers standing guard over the bookshelf!

My favorite part of our Christmas decorations – our outdoor Nativity.  You will note that I have FIVE Wise Men (including twins!) and no shepherds – this is fodder for an upcoming post, but if you see any shepherds, sheep, cows, camels or other related outdoor nativity personnel for sale in your neighborhood, please purchase them for me!!  I’ll send you a check!!  I’m not really in the market for any more wise men though…

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!!