Are you passionate.. for God ?

"..teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed". Titus 2:4-5

One of the many blessings of being a keeper at home for me, is having the time and opportunity to meditate on a good book while going about my chores.
Recently my friends and I began to read and discuss 'Passionate Housewives Desperate for God', written by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald.

We met on Tuesday evenings to go over each chapter and share what we gleaned and found helpful to us.

It's been an interesting exercise and has generated quite a lot of questions and ponderings about who we are, and what the Lord is asking of us as christian women in today's world.

Our little study group was made up of 'everyday' wives and mothers who dearly love the Lord and our precious families; and who have a desire to grow in our calling as keepers of the home.

Last night we came to the end of this book. Our hearts and minds were in unison about what we have learned through it over the past couple of months.

We all very much enjoyed what these ladies have written about the vocation of the stay-at-home-wife/mother. All received confirmation in our biblical roles as well as more insight into how to live it out authentically. First and foremost- before God - and our own family. And also before the eyes of the world, who watches on and is in so much need of strong christian role models to learn from.

Throughout the book, trusting in God to equip and enable us for the task, was certainly a major theme..that and courage. Courage to gently bypass the nay-sayers who think traditional homemaking is a trivial time-and talent-waster.

Courage to trust and simply follow the Lord's calling with a peaceful heart.

Frankly discussing the downfalls of radical feminism and the unfortunate effects it has on modern society; the book is full of encouragement for christian women who have a yearning to be full time homemakers. It's a source of practical ideas and testimony from two women who have left the emptiness of the world's false promises of happiness behind.. and have found something far greater!!

I recommend Jennie and Stacy's book for your consideration. I thought I'd share some quotes from the book, that I particularly liked and..(I pray)..may bless you as well :-)

"..biblical femininity has always been an unusual quality.

..the godly woman's garden is filled with fragrant spices and delicious fruits.

..her primary focus is the place she most loves to be - her home.

..though she may wear pearls and high heels, she realizes that 'charm is deceitful and beauty passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised".

..serving our husbands and little ones is serving Christ Himself!

..The joyful and satisfied life that God gives a woman who is surrendered to His will is rich and filling - yes, even passionate!

..God wants us to know that we can't do it all, so that He can do it through us.

..No superwomen here! Just a super God Who gives grace for every haltering step we take.

..shed the millstone of fear and desperation and get truly passionate!

..discover the rare jewel of godly womanhood.

..May you turn your back on the hollow image of desperate home life the world parades before us and learn to view your own home as a place of life, hope, joy, and industry - a place where spirits are made full and lives are changed forever for the glory of God.

..see the great rewards that will follow when you as a woman embrace God's glorious vision for passionate homemaking - a vision that reveals the exquisite beauty of a calling He's created just for you!"

I think this book is a good one for passing on to daughters, or other ladies, who are wanting encouragement about being a homemaker today.

It might make a lovely Christmas gift for someone you know :-)

blessings..Trish

linked here: http://raisinghomemakers.com/2010/homemaking-link-up-13/