How can we be motivated every day for taking care of our husbands, children, and homes? I’m sure you, as I do, wake up some days and find it hard to want to get going, and maybe find it hard to get started. Maybe we feel like we’d just like to sit around and waste time. Maybe we are pulled away by social media or other distractions on the internet. How do we get motivated?
The answer is really quite simple. We must do what we do for Christ. If our attitude is one of living for self, or of doing what feels good at the moment, we will not be able to keep on getting up day after day and being productive in our homes. Quite honestly, there will be times we do not feel like cooking, washing laundry, teaching our children, etc. But we cannot live based on feelings. We can’t even live based on our feelings for Christ. Our feelings waver and wane, and it is on these times we must remind ourselves of our duty, and we must ask the Lord to renew our love for Him, so in turn we can have our love for Him driving us on to love our families by taking care of their needs.
We must be mindful also of the example we are setting for our children. Are we spending hours on the computer, the phone, the television, or whatever our distraction may be? Or are our hearts fully and completely devoted to the Lord, and is that our driving force? We do not live to please others, but we must be aware that others are watching us, especially our children. Are we setting a good example of the Christian life? Are we setting a good example of motherhood and homemaking for our daughters?
If you have been lacking in motivation, let this be a reminder to you of where our motivation must come from. It comes from our love to the Lord, and wanting to please Him. We are not here for self-fulfilment. We are here to do the good works that He has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). When you rise each day, ask the Lord to help you to accomplish what He wants You to. If you have not been an attentive housewife, confess to the Lord your lack of zeal for the tasks He has prepared for you to do, and thank Him for the wonderful job He has given you as homemaker! He will help you to do better as you keep your heart fixed upon Him.
Still one of my favorite quotes:
I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him.
