You and I are living in a time when many women lack understanding of true duty, when it is common for women to forsake God-given duty in favor of “self-fulfillment.” All around us, we can see the sad legacies of women who have rejected the roles which God has given distinctly to us. The time when it was assumed that young women were actively and fruitfully engaged in the daily affairs of their households is a thing of the past. Where are the faithful, visionary and productive daughters? From the lost and broken culture, the Lord is raising up daughters, young and old, who are true daughters, pure, devoted and faithful. Because of His mercy and grace, these young ladies are leaving behind legacies of faithfulness as they follow the Lord. This is the time in history which God has chosen for you and me to live.
I haven’t always understood my role as a daughter in the home. The Lord has been very gracious in showing me through His Word what my appointed duties are and how delightful it is to be in the center of His will. He also has given me something very special, and He has given many of you this gift as well. That is Christian parents, who can direct, encourage and help us to maintain a clear understanding of what God requires. While I daily continue to learn the many facets of what it means to be a daughter in our home, I would like to share with you what I have learned and how I am purposing to use this valuable season with eternity in mind.
A glimpse into our family’s life and vision
When my parents first began home educating, they had three desires for their children: number one was that we would love God and serve Him (Deut. 6:4-7); number two was that we would love people (John 13:34); and lastly, that we, as their children, would love learning, that we would delight in being life-long learners for the glory of God.
It is a beautiful thing to be part of a robust home whose purpose is to love the Lord and learn for His glory! From my parents, who have both been blessed with creative talents, to our littlest ones, who are ever eager to discover, our home abounds with opportunity to learn and serve. In fact, there are so many possibilities, that we are learning to carefully choose how we redeem the moments (Eph. 5:16)
Discerning the needs of the hour, day and year
Around the time that I completed my high school studies, my parents and I continued our discussions of how to productively use this season as a grown daughter. Here are some of the questions that we considered: “Where am I lacking in spiritual training?” “Am I prepared to equip the next generation with the necessary academic and social skills?” “How can I begin to ‘strengthen my arm’ for future projects and plans?” “Where am I weak?” “Does our family have needs that I can meet using the abilities that God has given to me?” In essence our questions where, “What are the true needs of the hour, day and year?”
Due in part to these discussions and plans, my life has only increased in ways to minister to others and gain knowledge. Some areas I am naturally inclined to pursue are working by my mother’s side and learning from her, hospitality, helping our younger children, shopping for our family, hair cutting, the home arts, our family assisting with conferences, further academic study, dress design, helping young mothers, writing and more. However, other areas I have come to enjoy, and by God’s grace, embrace and value. By applying diligence to these areas our family can more effectively achieve our goals, diverse as they might be, from learning Spanish to processing animals and understanding HTML code.
Areas of great importance to me are encouraging my father and learning from him. My daddy enjoys doing many things, so even though I have little natural talent in these avenues, I am learning how to carve leather, play tennis, “know the times,” understand entrepreneurial concepts and more. In the last several years, I have also had the opportunity to help my father more directly with his internet marketing and have been encouraged by other daughters who have done the same. On the topic of practical training in our fathers’ business, we may meet several challenges. In today’s society of diverse vocational occupations, this type of training may not always be practical or even possible. Might I mention though, that as daughters in our fathers’ homes, we are living and breathing in the very center of our fathers’ most important sphere of ministry, the home. The battle is real for our fathers’ attention, so let us seek to build up our fathers (and our mothers) with encouragement and by being faithful in our duties, however small.
Another need of this season is faithfully caring for our physical bodies. Both of my parents, and particularly my mother, have stressed the importance of health, nutrition and fitness, especially in the formative years of transitioning from a girl into a woman. The Lord’s design for our bodies is beautiful and perfect, and the time and energy we put into eating well and exercising can only help to tone it for the blessed rigors of life. There is much information on these topics, so our family purposes to focus on the basics of appropriate rest, enough water, hearty exercise and as much fresh food as possible. Our family accomplishes most of our exercise from swimming, gardening and jogging; a half an hour of daily exercise can have the wonderful impact of additional energy on a busy day. All of this can be an exciting and tasty adventure, too. Many mornings, my two-year-old brother, Timothy, will happily sip down a whole glass of green smoothie and say, “So good…so ‘healfy!’”
Give, don’t take
During this time many lessons are being learned, and one in particular that is important for me to remember is to give, don’t just take. The world’s message to us is one of selfishness and ease, but in the Scriptures we read of a more excellent way; it is actually more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). In this time of being actively involved in the daily happenings of our households, we have a tremendous opportunity to invest in our parents and siblings. We must give what we have, our talents, time and resources to be used of God; they are not ours anyway. Sometimes I believe we underestimate the value of giving the “small things” such as a warm, loving smile or time spent massaging a weary back. This is a special season of life to be used to the fullest, living that radiates the teaching and doctrine of Jesus Christ in every area of life.
In closing…
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:23
What a marvelous privilege and duty we have in seeking and obeying our Lord. We must live for His glory and rejoice in the way that He has perfectly created us as women for a very special and specific purpose! May we faithfully use every moment and day for Gods’ glory, and may it be said of each of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Originally published in Virtuous Daughters, 2009
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
