Homemakers' Lives Matter

Let me paint the picture of where I sit at the dining room table right now.  I am in a navy blue and white tennis dress I got at Goodwill the other day and matching blue leggings I already owned (you're welcome McDonough for not getting a stripper show today).  Because dear husband is sleeping his poor exhausted heart out, I am wearing earbuds listening to a YouTube playlist of Fun. and Casting Crowns.  I just finished dancing like a maniac to a several of my favorite songs, so now my personal fan left over from my college dorm room is trained on my upper body, counteracting the effects of the sweat said exercise and my red mug of coffee is causing.  Kitty is playing with an unused paint stirrer on the floor under a table lamp on the desk-turned-sideboard.

I am almost euphorically typing this post, eager to share with you the reason for my happiness on this sunny day.  My husband and I had a huge fight yesterday.  Why would I be happy about that?  Because when we have huge fights, we don't throw things at each other or yell and storm out of the house.  We may say hurtful things and often there are tears, but then we talk about why we felt the need to react in that way.  At the end of the argument, we are closer as a couple.

Yesterday, I emerged from many, many tears with the realization that what I do really does matter to my husband.  I think a lot of ladies will agree that this is something that comes up repeatedly in marriage, especially for those that choose to make homemaking their full-time profession.  It can often be a thankless job, and while I understand that, it is important to know that what I do matters to my family - most importantly, my husband.

God created me with a need to take care of others.  Nurturing is so deeply ingrained in who I am as a person that if I can't pour myself into others in that way, I start dying inside.  My wonderful husband has spent so much time taking care of me that he has forgotten to let me take care of him, too.  He was reminded of that yesterday, and I was overjoyed to hear that me keeping the house clean, decorated, etc. really does matter to him!  He even made the request that I keep the laundry done, admitting that it was more important to him than having a hot meal on the table.

So today, I started running clothes as soon as I woke up.  I hate laundry because it makes my back hurt.  So I changed my laundry routine.  I fold it at the kitchen table or a card table I can set up in the living room so my back won't hurt as bad.  I have focused on maintaining a tidy living room, as that is the most important room in the house to stay clean in my husband's eyes.  I listened to music and danced like a jubilant nine-year-old in a princess dress when I got stuff done.

And now I'm blogging.  You know why?  Because my husband said he loves to read my blog.  Naturally, I love writing and sharing with the unsuspecting public my journey of life after 23.  That's how this blog got started.  But now it's a priority, because I know that it matters to someone - namely, that it matters to my other half.

The "Sunday school answer" is that my life has purpose because I'm serving Jesus, but if you stop there, that's pretty abstract.  Matthew 25:37-40 says:

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give You drink?  And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You?  And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?"  And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.

Our purpose of serving Jesus is often acted out by serving other people.  The main purpose of my call to be a homemaker is to serve those living and sojourning under my roof.  I am so excited and happy that I can be effective in making a difference in my husband's life!