Knit one..teach one

"The aged women likewise....teach the young women .. " Titus 2:3-4

Last Saturday, I spent a delightful time visiting with my dearest friend. The day was warm and sunny and perfect for a slow stroll around her lovely garden. We inspected signs of new life springing up in the pretty flower beds and talked of plans for garden paths. Magnolias were in bloom and fat brown chickens roamed leisurely under bushes, scratching away to their heart's content. We watched them scattering soil and leaves, as we sat on the low retaining wall with the sun on our backs, basking in the soothing rays until lunch time. After sharing sandwiches and a pot of tea, we moved into her loungeroom and settled in for a relaxing afternoon watching a few episodes of Wives and Daughters. "Oohing and aahing" over the beautiful gowns and hairstyles of a bygone era, we were soon joined by her 13 year old daughter who quietly lay on the sofa, taking in the scenes before her.

Out came our craft bags, and as happy as the chickens outside, we began our own chorus of scratching and clicking away the day. My friend crocheting a pretty green table runner for her dining room and me knitting red squares to be made into a rug for missions. No need for much chatting - just simply enjoying each other's company and sharing in things that make us content. Doing womanly things together. Hearts at peace, minds fed with beauty, hands creating for others. A simple domestic scene on a perfectly lovely day!

You know, I think it is very important for young girls to observe the womenfolk in their families spending fun time in just this sort of way. Life-lessons are often learnt silently, by watching and absorbing the attitude and behaviour of older girls and women. Sadly there is no shortage of anti-family, feministic or worldly role models available for young ladies to emulate today. But when we demonstrate to them the pleasures to be found in keeping good company and doing something to benefit our homes or someone else's; we sow seeds into their fertile minds which can produce images of contentment, friendship and selfless living.

When in turn, a daughter has her own home and family to care for, the scenes of her mother sharing and enjoying the cooking, crafting, reading or gardening, will flow across the memory waters to reflect a picture of peace and fulfillment. She will be confirmed and encouraged in her godly role as wife and mother, when she remembers how the days spent with family and dear friends at home, brought such simple joy and blessings to her own mother.

It seems to me that we need to take special care to show young girls how much we love being a homemaker; and that despite the routineness there is much scope for creativity and hospitality to be enjoyed. And that we find real peace in knowing we are fulfilling our biblical mandate by loving our husbands and families in a way that is pleasing to God and which brings great blessings into our homes.

We want our children to learn the important life-lessons from us and not the unsaved world. Lessons which will stand them in good stead when they are adults. May the glad lesson of finding happiness in "homely-ness" be one of them!

blessings...Trish

linked with Raising Homemakers at http://raisinghomemakers.com/