Feel like you’re just going through the motions in your homemaking? If it seems like you’re stuck in a rut with no sense of purpose, here’s some hope…
…nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless…
{ 1 Corinthians 15:58, GNT }
…nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless… {1 Cor 15:58}Click To Tweet
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How often do you groan under the weight of that feeling of futility?
As homemakers, it can become a regular occurrence. We get up, do the same routine, scrub the same counters, wash the same clothes, vacuum the same floors, clean the same spots, over and over and over… It seems like we work so hard and so long to get the place clean, and two seconds later, it’s all as bad as ever again!
The writer of Ecclesiastes knew all about it: “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.” {Ecclesiastes 2:17}
So, why does it all seem so futile?
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
{ Romans 8:20-23 }
All creation has been subjected to futility, ultimately in hope that all creation can be set free from the slavery to corruption that 2 Peter 1:4 says is in the world because of lust.
We hope for the ‘freedom of the glory of the children of God.’Click To TweetIsn’t it true that the futility of things has a way of lifting our eyes to heaven as our souls cry out for justice and for everything to be made right? Just as Romans 8 says, we “groan within ourselves”, longing for the day that we are in the presence of Jesus, when the curse has been lifted from the earth and all pain and crying and injustice and futility is gone for good.
Just as light seems to shine brighter in the darkness, so the yearning for restoration seems to grow stronger in the midst of futility.
So, next time you’re scrubbing that same counter, or washing those same clothes, or picking up those same toys yet again, remember that things won’t always be like this. One day, sooner than we think, Jesus will return to restore all that is broken and weary and futile.
One day, sooner than we think, Jesus will return to restore all that is broken and weary and futile.Click To TweetAnd remember, that in the meantime, He has called you to make your home a place that reflects and reveals His glory and truth {see Proverbs 24:3-4 and Titus 2:4-5}. So, “whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” {Colossians 3:23-24}.
Also, take courage in the fact that “nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless” {1 Corinthians 15:58, GNT}.
I’ve got something exciting to share with you:
Sadly, you’ve missed out on the amazing giveaway that was mentioned when this post first was published, where you could’ve won almost $1,000 in homemaking goodies, including physical goodies (such as Keepsake Kitchen Diary, Art Prints from Lily & Val, Proverbs 31 T-Shirt, Coffee & Grace T-Shirt, 12 sets of Scripture Memory Cards, ESV Journaling Bible (interleaved edition), Roxanna’s Candle of choice, and much more!) plus digital goodies (such as Home Management Binder, Strengthen Your Marriage Bundle, Encouragement for the Homeschool Mom Online Conference, The Proverbs 31 Homemaker eBook + Audio Book, Apartment Gardening eBook and much more!).
But, the good news is: this amazing giveaway celebrated the launch of the 4th annual…
Homemaking Ministries Online Conference 2017
…and all the details are now revealed! (Plus, there are freebies further down the page… keep reading!)
The conference will be held in September and is completely online. The sessions will all be recorded so even if you can’t watch live, you can still watch the sessions anytime, anywhere, and on any device. It really is made as easy as possible to watch everything in your own time!
This year’s theme is Finding Purpose In Your Home and here’s the amazing list of 23 speakers who will be teaching over the 5 days of the conference:
This is a fully online conference with tons of fun activities throughout the week. This means: You get the feel and the community of an in person conference with the flexibility of being able to watch the sessions any time you would like!
The conference will be live September 25 – 29th, 2017 but once each session goes live, you have the freedom to watch it anytime on any device – forever!
So click here to find out more about the conference and grab your ticket!
And now for those freebies…
Do you need some help to get back on track with your daily disciplines? Well, click the picture below to get your free ‘Refresh Your Routines’ eKit: 4 training videos and a beautiful 9 page printable pack to help you get organised and keep on track of your most important daily tasks! Totally FREE!
And remember…
…nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless… {1 Cor 15:58}Click To Tweet
→ Need some help (fast!) to get certain areas of your homemaking under control? Click here to read 5 Resources To Calm Your Homemaking Overwhelm…
What area of homemaking do you find it hardest to see purpose in? Share a comment below…
Linking up with:
Glimpses @ BarbieSwihart.com, TellHisStory @ JenniferDukesLee.com, Writer Wednesday @ BecomingPress.com, Encouraging Word Wednesday @ MississippiMom.com, Salt & Light Link-Up @ MilkandHoneyFaith.com, Grace & Truth @ AimeeImbeau.com, Fresh Market Friday @ CrystalTwaddell.com, Faith Filled Friday @ MissionalWomen.com
Instruments of God
Love One Another {+ free printable}
Utensils
The Smell of Rain: A Reflection on Blessings
Very encouraging and a great reminder that work done for home and family is valuable. And is also work done unto the Lord. And for that He will reward!
Thanks so much
Ronnie
Ladyevolves.com
Thank you, Ronnie! Amen – He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Let’s seek to manage our homes for His glory!
Thank you for this fresh perspective and encouraging reminder of our purpose as homemakers!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Charlie! 😀
Awesome message today. It hugs my heart, especially when we are in a season where we can’t see the fruit of things – we can trust God with it all. Blessings!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Meghan! Amen – we can definitely trust God – He sees the end from the beginning and has promised never to leave us! 🙂 May He bless you today and every day.
This is so good, Lois! Homemaking has always been hard for me. The mundane, having to do the same things over and over again can get me in a frustrated state. I’m learning to accept that my house wont’ always be perfect. And it rarely is. I had to let that go after 2 kids! I’ve also enlisted the help of my 3 girls. When we all work together it gets done much quicker!! Thanks for linking up at Salt & Light!
Thanks, Alisa! Oh, definitely – this whole ‘perfect’ home thing doesn’t exist! The main thing is that we give glory to God in everything. And you’re so right – when you work as a team, you can accomplish a lot, a lot faster! 🙂 Thanks so much for your encouragement and for hosting Salt & Light. May God bless you for your service to Him.
YES! Nothing we do in the service of the Lord is futility! I wish this message could really sink into the hearts of women who wrestle so. Such a great post!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Crystal. 🙂 Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! 🙂
I use to despise doing Laundry until one day I realized Praise God I have a family that is alive for me to do laundry for. And that helped put everything else I do at home in perspective. I love the verse you used in 1 Corinthians 15:58. great post. Visiting from Grace & Truth Link up.
Oh, Timberley… yes! Your realization was brilliant. It’s so, so true. I’ve been campaigning recently for little Charlie Gard (petition available at top of sidebar on Live Nourished) and I am so thankful that my little boy (who is only 4 months older than Charlie) is healthy and with us. Keep looking at things with the perspective you mentioned, and I pray that God blesses you as you continue to serve Him. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing.
Great post! I am totally with you on cleaning the same things over and over–with four kids at home, all my hard work seems to be thrown to the wind of futility! 🙂 But thanks for the reminder that EVERYTHING we do, no matter how small, has value and importance when done to the glory of God–even conquering that sink full of dirty dishes! Thanks for linking with Grace and Truth!
Amen, Christin! 🙂 I’m so glad you were encouraged. Keep serving God amidst the mess! 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.