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Women’s Ministries
Welcome, lovely ladies, to a moment together.
Recently, I was blessed to discover a
new blog called “Growing Home.” It is written by
a young wife and mum named Jacinda. I spent a
thoughtful hour reading different posts from this
lovely young woman.
Jacinda shares a lovely perspective between the
birth of Jesus and homemaking. Since we all have
a home to maintain, whether you are married or
single, buying a home, renting or sharing a room,
let’s all encourage each other to keep Jesus in first
place.
After reading this, I found myself praying that
the words, would plant deep in my heart. As always
girls, I encourage you to make those times spent on
the computer count for eternity. Let’s not make ourselves
tired or overwhelmed with discontentment,
gossip or things we shouldn’t be engaged in. Enjoy
and don’t forget the WM Conference “My Sister’s
Keeper” on the April 27–29. The cost is $180 so
why not start a “Love Jar” to enable yourself, or another
woman or teen girl to attend.
What does the birth of Jesus have to do with
homemaking?
So what does the birth of a baby in a dirty, Bethlehem
stable over 2000 years ago have to do with
homemaking? Absolutely everything!
Homemaking is naturally beautiful. Even rampant
feminists find a bountiful garden, homemade jellies,
patchwork quilts, flower arrangements, a well-made
bed and an orderly house irresistible. The internet
is full of sites dedicated to helping DIY junkies turn
their houses into homes. Martha Stewart has built a
multi-million dollar empire teaching women how to
by Helen Threlfo
store apples and wrap presents with style.
Even if we were the empress of homemaking with
our own magazine, TV network, line of crafting
supplies and interior decorating solutions; if we’ve
failed to recognise the meaning Jesus brings to our
domestic duty, I’m afraid even our best efforts are
in vain.
I love keeping our home but I fail at it all the
time.
Sometimes I spend more time reading up on perennials
than I do plucking the weeds out of my own
heart. Sometimes I find it easier to serve my children
freshly-baked bread rather than offer them the Bread
of Life. Sometimes I spend more time dreaming up
clothes to sew than clothing myself with humility.
Sometimes I’ll step back and admire the beauty of a
recently organised cupboard, without thinking twice
about how I rearranged my priorities to get it that
way.
Every day, my heart is prone to wander and worship
homemaking rather than our Home Maker.
But joy to the world, Jesus came to redeem my
mess! The mess I make of my relationships and the
mess I make of homemaking—whatever mess I’ve
allowed sin to make is a mess that Jesus has the redemptive
power to clean up and flip on its head for
God’s glory.
When God looks at the beauty and perfection
of His Son. Who took my sin and guilt and stands
before the Father in my place, He doesn’t see my
botched up homemaking efforts. Instead, He sees
Proverb 31 and Titus 2 perfectly kept with joy and
obedience. Through His Son, God is well-pleased
and herein lies my hope as a homemaker.
Women’s
Ministries
Calendar 2012
Dates to remember
April 27–29
WM Conference
May 13
Mothers Day
July 14-15
Shine Conference
Sept 21–29
Big Camp
November 9–11
Leadership Training
Amazing West Australia
Wildflower Tour
August 15 to September 3 or August 26 to September
14. (Two tours necessary)
A great tour, probably the most comprehensive
WA Wildflower Tour ever undertaken—from
Broome to Perth and the beautiful South West
Corner. This tour will not be repeated!
Fly Qantas from your capital city. Travel in a
very modern, comfortable coach and relax in
quality accommodation. Enjoy a tour of the Hamersley
Mine complex at Tom Price and feed the
dolphins at Monkey Mia. Walk among the fascinating
Pinnacles near Cervantes and visit the historic
town of New Norcia. Explore WA’s beautiful
capital, Perth, and a tour of WA’s south-west
corner. See Wave Rock, Kalgoorlie, Esperance,
Albany, and, of course, wildflowers in their vastness
and beauty throughout the 20-day tour.
Journey includes visits to Broome, Port Hedland,
Tom Price, Exmouth, Carnarvon, Monkey
Mia, Geraldton, the Pinnacles, Perth, Hyden,
Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany, Margaret River,
and Perth.
Only 14 places are available so be quick to join
the 90 people already booked.
Reserve your place by phone (07) 3273 3203,
email davidfernlawson@hotmail.com or write to
Pastor Lawson, 139 Kingman Street, Sunnybank
Hills 4109.
February 2012 | 5
Focus |