Early in the morning, I am awakened by a little baby being placed in my arms. It is my grandson. I take care of him in the morning so his mother can get some extra rest. I have given up on the idea of my early morning tea, as the sun rises, while I sit in the parlour. Those kinds of mornings are a distant memory. My hours, days, weeks, months are consumed with the blessing of Christian duty. It happened gradually, my personal time, and my own way, being taken over with something far more precious.
We spent the last month taking care of Grandfather, and then Nana needed medical care. I have spent an enormous amount of time in Hospitals this winter. When I am home, I clean, do laundry and care for the family. Being busy about the house is a privileged kind of duty that I am grateful for. We have found ways to make the trials a bit of fun. Many mornings, I would sit in the kitchen of the Grandparents, taking notes of the day's plan. Did they need firewood? Dishes washed? Some errands run? We made a plan for dinners. It reminded me of Rose Kennedy, and how she would breakfast at home, ordering dinner from the domestic staff who cared for her family and house.
Some would say that we mothers are being run ragged, by all we have to do in a day. Some would be haggard and worn by such trials and hard work. But as long as there are times of rest, and little homemaking breaks, we can manage beautifully. This is a sweet spirit of Christian duty.
All day long, there are silent praises and prayers uttered up to Heaven. All day long, there is a pleading for strength and courage - and these are gently given.
Many times we Mothers read our Bible in the twilight hours, or in a spare moment while children are napping, and we delight in a holy communion. We do not seek Christian duty, we do not wonder what God would have us do; we simply make ourselves available for the Master's use and He will fill our time with His glorious work. When we walk in His ways and Love His Laws, we will find Him in the humblest of work. This brings us the greatest joy we will ever experience, this side of Heaven.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives:
A Special Time of Day - The Dinner Hour.
Getting Along with Mister - Forgotten Kindness in Marriage.
When we Married, we took one of these - A Vow of Poverty.
Mrs. White's special book for Homemakers - "Mother's Book of Home Economics."
An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.
