As mothers, we often find ourselves needing to stay home from church gatherings due to sick little ones or other circumstances beyond our control. Weekends in the Word is meant to give you a time of worship, a time of rest, a time of communion with the Almighty, our Lord and Creator, no matter where you are.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
~Psalm 127:1
Our homes. Places of love and beauty and labor.
Labor?
Yes, labor.
We talk much of our homes being havens and places of rest, but they are also places of work. Hard work. Day after day of hard work.
And we weary.
We want a peaceful home. We want a happy home. We want a clean home. We work hard all week and often into the weekend.
We labor.
But do we labor in vain?
The projects and schedules and lists we create either belong to the Lord or to the world. They are either seeking after Him or seeking after something else…
“…all is vanity.”
What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he toils under the sun?
~Ecclesiastes 1:2b – 3
If you are working hard in your home for any reason other than to please the Lord, then you are laboring in vain. There will be no profit. There will be no rest. All your work will be for naught.
Your home may be neat and tidy, your children may be well-scrubbed and well-behaved, but unless the Lord is building your home, you will eventually tear it down with your own perfectly manicured hands.
It is a wise woman who builds her home for the Lord and looks only to Him for acceptance. And only then will you have
Rest.
Jessica says
Oh wow – its so easy to lose sight of whats most important in our piles of laundry and to-do lists. Thank you for this post.
Mama Mirage says
I love your new picture up in the corner there! You have such a beautiful smile. 🙂
Amy says
Awww thanks! My husband took that picture of me this morning. I was needing something fresh and new here! 🙂
Brandi says
Ooh, I have to agree… Great reminder AND lovely new picture 🙂
Stacie says
I like this idea. . . Weekends in the Word.
Wonderful post. God bless you.
Valerie says
Wow, Amy, great post! Thank you as always for your timely words.
Jenny says
this would make a great link-up!
“Weekends in the Word Link-up” 🙂
Wendy Gunn says
Amy,
This was lovely, and a very good reminder of Who we should be doing our work heartily unto. Though our perfect Rest will not be until we reach heaven, we can find rest for our souls with Jesus Christ.
Interestingly, I was just thinking about the attitude behind my work. The Lord corrected me by reminding me of Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet (a job they should have seen and done themselves). Jesus did it for them, as we often do work of our children’s and for our children. But Jesus didn’t do it with resentment, or in a huff. He showed them the act AND the attitude which He wanted them to emulate. And He said go and do likewise.
Have a Blessed Lord’s Day,
Wendy
dionne says
This has nothing to do with your post today, but I noticed you have a new picture of yourself. It is a nice picture of you.
Erin says
I too, love your new picture!
I so needed this post today! I have been struggling lately to have a servant heart toward my family and children, but also to remember that I am building my home for God and not for man.
Thank you for this!
Clara says
Ahh, this is so true, Amy. I enjoyed this very much – a very encouraging message.
And I also wanted to mention that the photo of you at the top of your side bar is beautiful. You’re just shining up there!! 🙂
Andrea says
For me, God gives the strength in which to complete my tasks (usually all my tasks!) each day.
I find great importance in ensuring a home that is a refuge for our family..because it’s a place we can be set apart..peaceful and focused on the Lord.
Hard work surely can be in vain. However, a home surrendered to the Lord..with all it’s daily hard work..raising and teaching multiple children, and being hospitable, and preparing healthy food in which their bodies will be nourished, is tiring..however, God grants strength for the weary mother!
http://andreamomm.blogspot.com/2011/04/finding-joy-when-your-lamp-is.html
Thank you for this great post, and God bless!
Jasmine says
I’m sure you didn’t realize it with you wrote this post, but you wrote it just for me. You see, my husband is in the military and had to leave to Spain just 2 weeks after our last baby was born. I have been here alone with 6 kids and no family to help. This morning we missed church because I just couldn’t get it all together. I have felt completely overwhelmed and unable to cope. Your post helped me to realize that my goal shouldn’t be to just survive, but to live and honor the Lord in my heaviness.
Thank you for your wonderful post! And btw, I love your new profile picture…beautiful!
Jasmine
Amy says
Jasmine,
I’ve been there! (I only had 2 at the time, though 😉 ) My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sarah says
Thank you Amy. I needed this reminder today. It is surely the best thing I could have heard today. God bless you!