John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Being a Homemaker

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. ”
― C.S. Lewis

I am moved the by the profundity of this thought.  Really why do we need money?  Why do we have jobs? Certainly it would be counterproductive to work and get money if it's sole purpose is to just gratify individuals. Families are the reason that livings are earned.

I am often inadvertently insulted by well meaning people who find out I am educated (I have a MA) and wonder why I am "wasting my talents and education" by staying at home with my children.  They are shocked when I tell them it is my choice and the best use of my talents.  Really it is!  With all the things families are going through--lack of character training, loss of virtue, disrespect, and the idea that one grows up to play--I dare say that I stay at home because I am educated and know that through this act alone I can change the lives of not only my children, but those of their friends and their friends' friends, and in essence because I am not too busy trying to earn money, I have the wisdom to know where it can be spent in the most multiplying manner, and can thus influence an entire community.

My education has taught me many things.  I have learned the best way children learn.  I have learned human nature and how it effects nations who try to ignore it.  I have learned the importance of the power that comes from one person living a personal mission.  Imagine what would happen in the world if every mother everywhere would not only know what her personal mission was and live it, but help each of her children find and live theirs.  Dishonesty and incivility would not be tolerated because it would be bad for business and relationships.  Hope in good would be restored to those who had lost it because they know someone who abides by honest and true principles, having the courage to do so even when it is not popular, yet has the ability to make it so.  Because I have learned these things I am practicing it in my life through the greatest and ultimate career of all--that of homemaker.

Being a homemaker is the greatest art, the hardest work, the most meaningful yet thankless pursuit and the greatest joy!  Society had gotten to the point with homemakers that, like the janitor at any building, they did not notice how valuable the role was until it started disappearing.  The walls became dirty, much like our world; the sinks so filthy that it became overwhelming to have clean hands; much like our leaders/politicians and their character; the hallways so full of trash, that it was hard to discern which way to turn; much like the moral compasses of today.  Like the building without a janitor, it happened slowly.  Things broke and we learned to live without them, though when it happened it was the outrage.  Instead of memos being sent about how to improve, uplift and build, they turned into memos of blame, how to fix what was broken, and anger at nothing changing fast enough, not realizing that all they needed was to reinstate the janitor.  Yet, it is no small task to do so after telling him and anyone else that his position is not valued/needed, and that anyone with a brain could do more.  It takes a certain type of person to choose to see that what is needed is a janitor and no matter what anyone else says/does that it is a NEEDED and valued position.

We need more than just janitors though.  There are plenty that clean buildings with no purpose, choosing to do a half job, take the easiest route or not knowing how important their job is, but do it because it is all they know.  Then there are others because of their apathy, that are running around only trying to fix what is broken, not having time to do the really important job of prevention, fixing small leaks before they become floods, and worse, not having time to help other janitors in the building that are trying to fix leaks they don't know how to fix.  That is the beauty of homemaking.  Walking through our halls, acquiring tools along the way that help us with the tedious, hopefully routine ways of cleaning, perfecting, preventing, and enjoying the work before us.  Knowing we are creating more than just a comfortable environment for people to work in, but are shaping the attitudes of the people that work there, building dignity, and allowing...maybe even paving the way for those missions that are being accomplished because we have removed all the clutter that could consume the energy of those seeking to fulfill those missions.  

The homemaker like the janitor has some toilets to clean, sometimes people even purposefully vandalize and create work for him in the name of entertainment and fun.  However, no one but the janitor will know the pride that comes from watching the child who sees him working and throws his garbage in the trash can, maybe even picking up that of another, or the satisfaction that comes when others start caring about his building as much as he does, or even, dare I say it , the pure joy when someone takes notice of how all the little things he does makes their lives more comfortable and decide to join in that work.

Being a homemaker may not always have monetary rewards, but it is the reason for ALL other careers, because without homemakers there wouldn't be people to have careers or careers for people to have.  Support the homemakers(and their husbands!) in your life, note the worthy work that they do, and if you feel so inclined take on the career with full purpose of heart and influence a nation.