As I sit here sipping my coffee, and looking around my now "spic and span" home (seriously, I'm pretty proud of this level of clean- excuse me for tooting my own horn) I am so thankful for a break from the cleaning craze. I worked my tail off the past few days, trying to get the home ready for a little get-together at my house earlier this week and prepare for in-laws coming in May. So being able to take a little rest today and look around me and be content with how the house looks, is just so nice.
Being newer homeowners with several projects in swing, I didn't realize how long it can really take to clean up the mess and chaos and get the house in order. It seems like all I've been doing the past couple weeks is cleaning and organizing. And cleaning more. And organizing. And re-cleaning. And organizing. After my grandma passed away, my grandpa developed a strong respect for housewives and was often heard saying, "Once I finally get all the housework done for the day, the day is over and it's time for bed!" If only he were around, I'd love to call him up and say, "Gramps, You were right!"
I must admit though, that the amount of housework involved and an increased respect for housewives, doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg of all the thoughts that have been swirling around in my head about being a 27 year old housewife. I touched on this subject very briefly in my April goals post, as I shared that sometimes I feel like a misfit in this world because I don't have a "real" job. And honestly, it's a subject that's been on my mind for quite awhile now. Being in this place, I think I feel like a misfit partly because it seems like I'm the only 27 year old housewife without children (thank you Linda for encouraging me I'm not alone), but mostly because I feel highly misunderstood. With a capital M.
Had you asked me 3 years ago if this was my plan, I would have laughed in your face. I worked with a college ministry and pictured myself in that type of role until death do us part. But now, here I am, and I'm learning how to embrace and be content with where the Lord has me... and yet, I have a horrible time because so often I am faced with questions like "so... what do you do all day? Don't you get bored?" accompanied by a "hmm.." or the occasional "that must be nice." Hearing all those questions is really starting to make my blood boil. Not because they are insincere or something but because along with the question comes this cynicism/judgement that what I am doing doesn't compare to the norm.
It's hard to write this post without getting a little fired up. I know that not all people who ask me about what I'm doing are judging me. And I also understand that a lot of it is probably just my own insecurity and lack of confidence in where I am at right now, because it isn't where I expected to be...
So, here's where I'd like to go from here. To tell you that being a housewife does not mean that I can be found sitting on my couch in my robe from sun up to sun down watching movies, painting my nails, watching TV, and taking naps. And no, I don't get bored because I'm not just sitting here waiting for the day to pass by. Sure, there are slower days here and there but for the most part, I am just as busy as you are in your job; it just looks different. Instead of clocking in at an office or establishment, I am volunteering in a classroom twice a week, I'm dropping off and picking up my husband's dry cleaning, I'm grocery shopping, I'm heading to the gym, I'm cleaning and organizing our new home, I'm working on my writing, I'm doing projects here and there for my dad's work, and I'm looking forward to leading a bible study this summer. I assure you, I am not just sitting around all the time.
Saying all that, sounding a bit defensive (forgive me) I guess all that I am hoping for is to be more understood, and to be respected and encouraged for where I'm at. I am learning to be at peace with this, (I think sharing these thoughts with you plays a big role) and to embrace this time as the blessing that it really is. [A huge shout out to my husband for supporting me.] I know that I won't be here forever, and I look forward to wherever the Lord is calling me next. But for now, I'm learning to be content and confident that my role as a 27 year old housewife is just as valuable as being in any other place.
Romans 8:28 that says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This time in my life has a purpose in God's plan for me, and I am bound and determined to soak it up for all that it's worth.
