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2009-07-30

Hearts Turned Towards Home: Jenn’s Story

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The following is a guest post by Jenn from Beautiful Calling and is the second installment of Hearts Turned Towards Home. If you are interested in sharing your story of how God turned your heart toward home, please click here.

In 2005, I married a wonderful man and we moved into our new home. Scott had lived on his own for some time before we married and was quite competent in the running of a home. After we married, he still did all the cooking, his own ironing (and mine), we shared housework and I had no desire for that to change. We talked about having children in a year or so. Though Scott wanted me to stay at home when we had little ones, I wasn’t sure that was something I wanted to do. I wondered what I would do all day and how that could be fulfilling? (Yep, I was completely disillusioned!) I suppose I was sort of looking to be someone. It was all about me. I knew the Lord, but His plans and desires for me weren’t a top priority to me at the time.

I started off as a Quality Assurance Co-coordinator within a great company. They were paying for me to take accounting courses at a local college. I had my own agenda and planned to complete additional (paid) schooling and move into the accounting department within the company. I thought that my worth was tied to my work; graduating from college and having a great well-paying career with all the benefits.

I completed a couple courses, receiving high marks then I found out I was pregnant. We were excited and told virtually everyone. And then we lost the baby. (You can read more about that on my blog during June/July). God used this tragedy to turn my heart back towards Him. As I began to focus on Him and learn more about His designs, my heart slowly turned towards home.

It was about that time that I stumbled upon Crystal's blog: Biblical Womanhood. [Note from Brianna: Biblical Womanhood is no longer an active blog.] When I first began to read some of her writings, I thought “Are you crazy?” The idea of serving my husband constantly really rubbed me the wrong way. But the more time I spent reading my bible, looking to biblical examples, following her blog and reading other edifying books, the more I realized how wrong my attitudes were. I began to understand (and embrace!) the role that God has given me; to be a helper to my husband and a keeper of my home.

God has since then blessed us with two little ones. My dreams of college courses and accounting positions pale in comparison to the dream that I am living now. Some days are rough and other days are bliss but most are a combination of the two. I cook much better, I love to bake, our house is in pretty good shape most days and Scott hasn’t had to iron anything himself this year.

I’m still such a work in progress but praise the Lord for the victories that I am seeing as I continue to try and live out biblical womanhood!

Some thoughts from my journey so far:

Heart Toward God: Have you heard the phrase “You will only be as good a mother as you are a Christian”? I think it is true. He must come first. It is He that enables you to be the sacrificing servant that you need to be in order for your heart to really be focused on your family and your home.

Aptitude is Optional but Attitude is Essential: I didn’t enter my marriage with a lot of aptitude. In fact, I really was domestically challenged! Four years in and I still have so much to learn and such a long way to go. I fail miserably in many areas on a weekly (or daily!) basis but I have a willing attitude. I want to learn, to grow, to be the woman, wife and mother that He wants me to be. He'll provide the ability as we look to Him.

Read His Word: Some may claim that the bible is old fashioned, but it is timeless and His truths endure to all generations (Psalm 100:5). In following His blueprints for biblical womanhood, marriage and childrearing, our lives will glorify Him and we will reap benefits. The bible is full of godly and ungodly women that we can learn from with practical how-to’s and the how-not-to’s.

Titus 2 Women: We can all be teachers and students if we are willing. Find yourself a godly ‘older’ (Titus 2) woman whom you can learn from in spiritual things as well as domestic practical matters. Maybe she’s your neighbor, or she attends your church or maybe she is an online friend. If you can’t find one, pray for one.

Like-Minded Friends: Hearts toward home in today’s society is not a popular notion. Even in Christian circles, the value placed on mothers and homes in general isn’t what it should be. Iron sharpeneth iron. Having friends within the church, your social group or online, that share the same values are vital. Sharing lessons learned and being able to rejoice together in victories and good days are also so important on this journey. It is also essential to have someone there to encourage you on those not so stellar days.

Good Blogs: They can be edifying, uplifting, encouraging and, at times, gently convicting. The Lord used Biblical Womanhood in a great way to change the direction of my life. If used wisely, we can learn much from good blogs through real life lessons shared on them.

Good Books: Someone somewhere said that if you only have time to read one book, make it the bible! I agree. But I think that there is also a wealth of knowledge and benefit to be gained in reading good bible-based books on womanhood, marriage and the family. If they are based on scriptural truths and examples then they will not necessarily be new ideas to you, however they may have some practical applications that you might not have thought of before.

Some Favorite Resources

Titus 2 Women 3 Book Series: Secrets of a Happy Heart, Happily Married and Parenting with Wisdom by Debi Pryde This series is so awesome! It deals with you and your relationship with the Lord, then your spouse and then your children.

Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jenny Chancy and Stacy McDonald

A Wife After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

Striving to be the woman, wife and mother that God is calling her to be, Jenn embraces her beautiful calling fully. No longer quite so domestically challenged, she’s still a work-in-progress and writes about it all at Beautiful Calling.

5 comments:

Audra Laney said...

A beautiful story of a heart completely changed! I pray women in your former situation read this and are gently convicted to turn their hearts towards home as well!

Talya said...

just for the record - the link to Crystal's blog says that it is open only to invited readers...am I missing something?

Amy @ Finer Things said...

Jenn, this is great stuff! What a blessing to hear how your heart was turned toward home. :)

Brianna said...

Talya, thanks for pointing that out! Crystal has closed her blog for the time being, though she can still be found at Money Saving Mom--www.moneysavingmom.com!

Mike said...

You are blessed.

Mike
www.mikeleonen.com
Twitter: AboutParenting

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