Is it possible to be the perfect homemaker? Here’s a secret, yes it is! Keep reading to find out how you, too, can be “the perfect homemaker”.
Now I would like you to notice that I used the word “homemaker” and not “housekeeper”. Believe it or not, there is a difference.
I’ve been reading quite a bit lately about these 2 topics (or are they just 1 … hmmmm). At first, I thought they are words that are interchangeable and perhaps for some they might be. After reading and pondering, I’ve come to believe that they aren’t the same thing at all.
Let’s take a minute to look at the definitions of these two words. I thought about going to the dictionary and finding official definitions to these words (and you may want to do that) but ultimately decided that I’m going to explain my perspective on the differences between these 2 words.
First let’s look at the words “house” and “home”.
A house is the actual structure – apartment, condo, house, trailer, etc.
A home is beyond just the structure .. it is the feeling or atmosphere of a house … the heartbeat of a house.
Next, there are the words “keeper” and “maker”.
A keeper takes care of something (usually belonging to someone else).
A maker makes something what it is. It takes a structure and makes it inviting.
So a “housekeeper” is someone who takes care of the household duties — cooking, cleaning, repairing, managing. These duties can be hired out so the one keeping the house isn’t necessarily the owner.
A “homemaker” is someone who takes ownership in that same area. Tries to make it inviting, warm, cozy, safe, comfortable.
Yes, a homemaker has the duties of cleaning, cooking, shopping, laundry, and managing the home (we’ll talk about those some other time) BUT it’s more than that. It’s putting your heart into it, it’s personalizing the space to make it exactly what your family needs and desires, it’s surrounding yourself with the people and things that you love, it’s about making memories that will last a lifetime (no matter that the structure is).
So … the first thing that you need to do in order to be the “perfect homemaker” is to change how you think about what you do.
Don’t think of it as duties that you perform but as a ministry to your family. Anyone can do the duties but not everyone can do it with love, commitment and the goal of wanting it to be a safe and inviting environment.
I remember when my husband and I got married (we each had 2 kids at the time), I told him that my goal was that in spite of what was going on at the other parent’s homes, I wanted the kids to feel as though they could be within the 4 walls of our home and be themselves … that they could breath a sigh of relief and just “be”. I didn’t always accomplish that the best that I could have but it was always my heart’s desire.
What are your desires for the atmosphere of your home?
- Would you like it to be a safe place for your family to be themselves?
- Would you like people who visit your home to be able to kick their shoes off (actually or figuratively) in order to relax and be themselves?
- Would you like your home to be the source of fond memories?
Take a moment and think about these questions.
Only YOU can answer these questions.
Only YOU can truly create the atmosphere that you desire.
Only YOU can put your heart into your home!!!
Please don’t be freaked out by the emphasis on “you”! It isn’t meant to put the pressure on you but instead to help you realize the honor that you have. This honor was given to you by God in order to fulfill in you who He wants you to be — the woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother, friend. Whatever your title might be, it’s an honor to have that title. Be proud of it — it’s all yours!
So this is your assignment –
- Make a list of things that happened in your home (or your grandparents home, a friend’s home, whomever) that made you feel safe, comfortable, relaxed or made a memory (obviously it did or you wouldn’t be remembering it, huh).
- Brainstorm about things that you would like to do in your home (i.e. more board games, more family outings, more homemade cookies, opportunities to show hospitality, etc).
You might be tempted to put things like keep up on laundry or dust more often on this list but, for now, don’t. Those items are for another time and place. I want you to think about atmosphere and memories, about cozy and warm, about laughing and sharing moments with your family.
Remember, YOU are the only one who can be the perfect homemaker in your home! No one else can duplicate the atmosphere that you want to create, no one else can love and nurture your family the way that you can, no one else will create the same memories as you will. It’s a serious calling but one filled with love, blessings and feelings of accomplishment. Using your strengths that God gave you, you will create the best possible home for you and your family. It’s a huge responsibility but it’s also full of blessings!
You’ve got this!!!
Blessings,
Heidi
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