Economy For The Christian Home

~ Our newest book, brought to you by "The Legacy of Home Press." ~


This book was written while taking care of grandbabies, cleaning the house, cooking, and caring for the family.  It was very difficult to write in my notebook when everyone was sleeping, or jot down Bible verses and look up passages while dinner was cooking.  It took many hours of formatting, proofreading and fixing mistakes.  It is still imperfect, just as I am. (gentle smiles). 

The front cover is of our Vermont property. The photograph was taken in November 2014. We still have lots of snow here as it stays all winter long in northern Vermont.  In the picture, you can see our tall Christmas trees, our American flag and our old wooden wagon.

The book is designed to bless and encourage you in saving and giving. It includes some personal stories from my own experience, along with ideas for your own home.  I hope this book will encourage you in the careful use of money,  as you strive to be the kind of wife your husband can say he does not worry about the waste of domestic funds. (Proverbs 31:11)

Here are the details:

Economy for the Christian Home: A 12 Week Challenge for Wives to Increase Charitable Giving

by Mrs. Sharon White

6" x 9"

110 pages, paperback

The Legacy of Home Press
ISBN-13: 978-0692361122
ISBN-10: 069236112X

 

Details:

 

A Bible study designed for individual or group use.  {Scripture quoted in this book is from the KJV Bible.}

 

 Includes 12 challenges, 12 homework assignments and 12 devotionals to inspire and motivate you. 

 

You will learn about a "Charity Box" for the home; how "New England Thrift" can help you save money; how "Prayer Directed Giving" can warm your heart; what it is like to "Live in Reduced Circumstances" and much more.

 

At the end of the 3 month program, your house-account should be more efficient. You will have money in your savings account and your giving will increase in ways that will bless you and others as well.

 

The book is for sale on Amazon. I hope you will like it.

 

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

 

From the Archives -

 

Training Children - Nobody Wants to Clean a Messy House.

 

For Homeschoolers - Education Must Not Be Rushed.

 

Welcome Home - The Light in the Window.

 

 

 

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Waiting for Mister

I looked out the kitchen window as I washed dishes before sunrise. I could see Mister's garage.  Often he has a light on out there and the wood stove going. He does projects and works on his car while I am sleeping.  Sometimes he can see me through the kitchen window.  He will go outside and wave.  He has his warm coat, hat, and gloves on.  Then I know he will come indoors for coffee, because he sees that I am awake.  

Other times, I am by the parlour window in the evening, waiting for him to come home. I watch the street and the driveway, looking forward to his return from an errand or from work. 

Many years ago, while 9 months pregnant with our fourth child, I waited for Mister to come home, and had fallen asleep.  Sometime in the middle of the night I received a phone call from the police.  My husband had been in a car accident on the way home from work and was in the hospital.  Someone had to drive me to see him.  I had Grandpa stay with my young children, and Grandmother took me to see Mister.   He had been hit by a drunk driver and our car had been totalled.  He was out of work for many months during his recovery.  But he was okay.

Whenever Mister is away from home, and I am waiting for him, I always pray that he gets home safely, that he is able to get back to this lovely home he provides for us.  We all miss him when he is not here.  Waiting for Mister is a precious time of thinking about him, praying for him, and missing him.  After more than a quarter of a century of marriage, through many trials and tribulations, our relationship has weathered many storms.  This has created a mutual bond of deep and genuine attachment and a love that has been tried, and proven unbreakable. 

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

He Carried me in the Rain - Walking the Grounds with Mister.

When we Married we took - A Vow of Poverty.

A Peaceful and Happy Life at Home - The Simplicty of Old Fashioned Homemaking.




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. 

The Mother Who Has Time for Prayers

One of the most important benefits of having a full time mother at home, is her prayers.  She is in the sanctuary of home.  Her concerns and focus are entirely devoted to husband and children, and in the care of their home.  She should be in the habit of praying while she cooks and cleans. 

While she is washing floors, ironing, and mending the clothing, her beautiful prayers will ascend, as a sweet melody, to heaven.

When her husband and children are out, they feel a sense of peace and security, knowing how much their mother loves the Bible, and is faithful in her loving and fervent prayers on their behalf.

This time of fellowship with the Lord (even in the midst of housework), provides a holy warmth and gentleness to her soul.  It softens her heart and helps make her sweet.  The family sees this and senses her strong faith.

We mothers, in our own efforts, cannot change the family. We cannot even change ourselves.  But striving for a closeness to God; hour by hour and minute by minute, will bring us great joy and contentment. It will bring us into a bright and precious walk with the Lord.  This is the state a mother is in, when she lives her life in a way as to have time to pray for her loved ones.

 Ideally, this is the mother at home.  She is of great value.  Her price is far above rubies.  No amount of money she could ever make could replace her constant, heartfelt prayers.

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives -

Please be one of these - The Mother Who Isn't Busy.

In case you ever wondered - How a Housewife Passes the Time.

I will never regret staying home - A Humble Parlour as a School of Theology.






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. 

All of God's Children Have Shoes

Many years ago, a dear old mother taught her children great faith in God.  She had no education and raised the family in material poverty.   She was one of many, many mothers in similar circumstances throughout history.  This dear lady, in particular, loved the Lord with all her heart.  She taught the children songs which cheered them on their daily path.

One of the songs went something like this:

"All of God's children have shoes. . .
In Heaven, Oh! In Heaven, they put on their shoes. . .
Oh in Heaven . . All of God's children have shoes."

The children smiled at this sweet lesson. I am sure they repeated the song as they walked the fields doing their chores.  They sang the song as they walked miles to school.  Often they had no shoes, or wore ones that were old and did not fit.  But they thought sweetly of Heaven and of their sweet Mama.  They learned of Great faith and of the journey to their Heavenly home.  There was something much more important to these children, than just their own lot in life. There was a future and a reward, where they would have wonderful shoes and get to be with God.

There is a beautiful prayer many of us say each day; it is taken from Scripture (Matthew chapter 6). Part of it goes, "Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom Come. Thy will be done. In earth as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day, our daily bread. . ."  This prayer acknowledges that God takes care of us today, as the needs come.  He may not always provide tomorrow's needs before it is necessary.   Often, we impatient children pray for a need and expect it to suddenly appear.  In this way, we are forgetting that it is not "OUR will" that must be done, but "HIS," and in His timing, for His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

We must have faith in Him, like a trusting child.  We are grateful to be called His very own children, and we are happy to work here in His service.  Sometimes, we must wait days, months, or years for our prayers to be answered.  At other times, our prayers are answered in beautiful ways. 

Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon suffered for most of her life as an invalid.  But she did incredible work for the Lord.  At times, her sickness and weariness caused her to pause and recover.  But once she was better, she got right back to work. She was the wife of the beloved British Pastor, Charles Spurgeon.  She was a loving mother of twin sons, and kept the home. She also faithfully did charity work (from home) to help other Pastors who suffered in want.  God blessed her efforts greatly.  Sometimes her prayers were slow to be answered. Other times, the need was supplied before she realized it was necessary!   There was a time when something she wanted (a "want" mind you), to cheer her.  Just some sweet things, -  an opal ring, and a singing bird.  She only told her husband. They both laughed, thinking it was not possible.  In those days, people were more practical and did not spend money on that which was frivolous.  Oh, but the Lord heard that little prayer and worked through the Saints, who didn't even realize her request.  These dear ones passed the little gifts on through Charles, as they were no longer needed in their own homes. And so it was that Mrs. Spurgeon got her ring and bird, to brighten her sick days.   Charles said to his dear wife, something like, "I think you are one of God's spoiled children."  And how dearly sweet and precious it was!

Our prayers are like songs that reach heaven.  We may have dire needs, or little childish requests.  Yet, when we trust our Heavenly father to meet those needs whether it be here on earth, or after we pass the gates of Heaven, and are content with HIS perfect will, we will be happy in heart.  Our little songs and prayers, as we travel along this life, pass on sweet lessons to those around us because of our FAITH.

Just remember, whenever you may find your faith weakening, or your heart getting weary, remember that dear old mother who taught her little ones, that all of God's children have shoes.

Blessings
Mrs. White



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. 

Home as a Little Christian School

In this modern day, the worldly culture has seeped into our homes.  It doesn't belong there.  Home should be a little school of Christian living.  Here is where children see Mother and Dad read the Bible, say prayers, and model good manners and morals.

We should also see great industry.  We should see cheerful and happy workers in Mother and Dad.  They set the example.  Dad often takes great pride in the care of the home and yard.  We may see him mowing the lawn, repairing porch steps, working on the car, and fixing screens.  He is busy with making the property look pleasant. He maintains the little christian school called "home."

Mother is busy with preparing meals.  She might be mending a torn curtain, ironing shirts, washing the floor, or baking pastries.  She does this cheerfully, happy to be doing a great work for the Lord in the little home.

Along the way, children are added to the family.  They walk beside the parents.  They help in the care and keeping of that little school at home.  They join in the prayers, the Bible reading, and happy chores.  Often young children find chores pleasant and fun because they get to do them with their parents, whom they love and admire.  They enjoy the company of the parents and want to do the work along with them.  Through this, their own good manners and morals are developed.

Home should be a place which is not a stumbling- block to sin. There should be no liquor, no drugs, no crimes happening (little thefts within the family), no lies, no scantily dressed residents, and no evil or inappropriate television shows. The family ought to take a stance against the world, and stand for a godly home with good policies and rules in the little school at home.  Mother and Dad must model this behavior and set the example.

There is a culture of  the world's school, in some homes.  This does not build the Christian family. Here is where the world's ideas and theories are paramount.  Modern parents often buy their children gadgets and gifts and trips to make them happy, but don't ask the children to work for such frivolity.   Bible reading or prayers don't happen because modern parents are often embarrassed by it, or their children roll their eyes when it is offered because this is not the kind of little school they attended.  It is foreign to them.  They were trained in worldliness, amusements, taking it easy, and enjoying being "young." 

Mother and Dad must set the patten in little Christian homes.  They must study Scripture and pray and immerse themselves in holy living.  This is what will bring a light of wisdom and beauty and godliness into the little school at home.   Family Altar, Sermons, Memorizing the Bible, Modesty, Patience and a Servant's heart should be modeled by the parents. This should be done every day.  This is what makes a happy, joyous home, when Mother and Dad have a heart, and a love, for the Christian School. It ought to be their life's work, their hobby, their everything.

This modern culture is heading to a great ruin.  Let our little homes be strong Christian Schools, and let us bring hope to a dying world, by living heavenward lives, even if our little school is the only one in our community. 

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

How precious - Sweet Hours at Home.

This is so important - Godly Home, Marriage and Family.

Daily Life - Ideas for a Happy Home.




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Mother's Courage

In Wartime, as sons went off to join the army, Mother's heart would break.  She would watch her boys walk down the lane in their uniforms, and she would pray for them. 

During some wars, in some countries, terrible things have happened.  Family members were taken by enemies, or by soldiers.  I have read about wives and mothers weeping as cruel people took away the family.

How do Mothers have enough courage to go on each day?

There are happier leavings. . . . Children grow up and move into their own homes.  Another family is established, another home.  Mother feels content to see her grown children at peace and being blessed.  Yet, she misses that empty spot at the table. She misses those late night talks of all the news as young adults came home from their outings. 

Still, there is an emptiness in the heart and soul when family leaves.  How do these mothers go on?

Somehow she must keep her routine. She must keep praying at the appointed hour of family worship.  She must make the meals, and sweep the floors.  Despite her worries and her sadness, she must continue to keep making a home.

Someday, those precious ones will walk back down the lane to see their old Mother.  There will be a happy reunion.  Someday, that lane may be heaven, or it may be the old homestead, but there will be a time of reunion and all will be well again.

Mothers must have faith and courage that God is in control, no matter how bleak things look, or how many burdens we wallow in.   Mother must continue to have a happy peace in her soul, knowing that faith is stronger than anything we see before us. 

Mother's Courage will soar, as she focuses on her daily routine in the sweet little home, and in her humble efforts at homemaking. 

Her faithful prayers will soothe the lives and hearts of the missing ones. . . For Mother to stay behind at home, keeping it nice, waiting for the return of the family - . . .  this is brave and noble courage. 


Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

The True work of a Homemaker - The Mission House.

The Comfort of Home - The Light in the Window.

Please Be One of These - The Mother Who Isn't Busy.



Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 






An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Early Morning Revival Challenge

"Inspired by the life, writings, and journals
of John Wesley (1700's), the author has created
a 90 - day Bible study challenge. .

The program consists of four, easy to follow, daily
assignments. Readers are expected to rise earlier
in the morning than normal; Spend 20 minutes in
prayer, Bible reading, writing in a journal, and
reading quotes from Ministers from long ago. . .

The study is simple to follow, but will take a
tremendous amount of discipline to stay consistent to the very end. . .

If you are up for a challenge and ready for a revival, this book is just what you need!"

 -  This is the description from the back cover of my new book, "Early Morning Revival Challenge."

6" x 9"
List Price: $12.99

The Legacy of Home Press
ISBN-13: 978-0615861050
ISBN-10: 0615861059
Early Morning Revival Challenge

By Mrs. Sharon White

This is a slim, 72 page, paperback book.  The interior has an "antique" look with "cream" colored paper, rather than the traditional "white."  The cover has a photograph of our Vermont Estate Grounds, and looks very peaceful.  I spent hours searching through my home library, to glean a selection of inspiring quotes from Ministers from the 1600's, 1700's and the 1800's.  These include Richard Baxter, Thomas Boston, John Wesley, Samuel Rutherford, John Bunyan, and more (one for each day of the challenge).  The book includes a complete bibliography of quotes, so you can see exactly where they came from.

I intend to start this challenge myself, in just a few days.  I have also ordered a copy for my youngest homeschool student (age 16).  I believe this will be an excellent addition to his studies.  The discipline of reading 2 chapters in the Bible each day (from Psalms and Proverbs), writing in a journal, and praying, before the day begins will be a blessing to both of us!



Blessings
Mrs. White



From the Archives:

Lessons from my Boston Aunt - Manners Learned at the Finishing School.

Please Don't Be One of These -  Bossy Wives.

Remember This for Your Homeschool - Education Must Not Be Rushed.





An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

When Mother is a Shut-In

Life has been very quiet here at the Estate. I have been cooking and baking and keeping house, at a slow, peaceful pace. I have not been able to leave the property. We have no car and no public transportation, in our rural area.  Mr. White is getting rides to and from work.  It has now been 2 weeks since I've been able to attend our beloved Church.  Our car is in the shop and we don't know if or when it will be repaired. 

I have loved staying here at home.  It has been a great blessing. It has also been an important lesson for me:  Staying home, for a wife and mother, as much as possible, is the greatest thing she can do. Why? Because she is creative at home.  She is not harried or under pressure from constant errands and outings.  She can cook from scratch more and monitor the economy of the kitchen inventory. Her sweet presence in the home is invaluable to the family for a great many reasons.

Staying at home, for a homemaker, is part of the job description.  The reward is incredible!

Yet, there are still the worries without a car, even if it were just for Mister.  We must have a running, dependable vehicle.  We must.  There are groceries to buy, banking to do, and a job for him to get to.  Today, I had a sort of childlike wonder about it all. I trust the Lord.  I know He is doing some great work.  So I willingly yield to this trial, making do and bringing as much light and joy into my home as possible, while we wait. 

My mother-in-law used to keep a running note on her fridge.  She rarely left home. So when she was almost out of laundry detergent, trash bags or milk, she would write on a note on the fridge.   I never heard her complain or panic about running out of milk (like I am sometimes tempted to!).   Papa, her husband, would pick those things up at the store on his way home from work, on a certain day of the week, or when he had time.   

My pantry is running low and I wonder when I will get to the market.    A few days ago, I made chocolate chip muffins.  I used apple juice instead of milk, because I knew I couldn't spare the milk.  Yesterday, I made my sons Macaroni and Cheese, but we had no milk to mix in with the powdered cheese. So I used a little spring water instead. It turned out just fine, and the boys enjoyed their lunch.  If I didn't know to do these kinds of things, I would not be able to calmly make it through this trial.

Something amazing is up ahead for us.  I believe it. . . We've had many rough financial times, and this year is no exception.  But we've been down this road before.  I have seen miracles and been greatly blessed by them.  Today, to keep a holy faith, I pulled out my favorite children's books:    "Uncle Arthur Bedtime Stories."  I will read these in my parlour chair during homemaking breaks.  I will read about sweet families who prayed and pleaded with God for their daily bread.  Tears will fall as I rejoice with them, as God works in mighty ways!  These are true stories written by Arthur Maxwell, and are gems!  Reading these today, will encourage me in my own prayers, and help me on my walk to victory.

Blessings
Mrs. White






For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 





An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.

The Sanctuary of Home

There will always be storms brewing out in the world, for Mothers to silently fight.  There will be lurkers, with ulterior motives, trying to lure the residents away from a godly home.  There will be temptations of events to keep mother so distracted and busy that she doesn't remember how to keep home a quiet place of rest.

 - Mothers must learn to make home a sanctuary. -

Today, the sporadic holiday traffic out front is bringing sudden and alarming noises.   I have a baby here who needs his morning rest.  I closed the blinds to keep out the heat of the sun.  I closed the front windows to stop the traffic sounds.  Then I opened the back windows so we can hear the soothing sound of the rushing water of the back river.  Baby will sleep soundly at our quiet Estate.

Sometimes we have to shoo out certain people from rooms in our house, in order that we may keep a gentle home running.  We may even send loud children outdoors to play. It is good for them, and good for us.  Mothers often send guests home when the hour is getting late.  The home must have order, and the residents must have their wholesome rest.

Bible time and prayer - hour should be sacred events, that occur at regular times.  When Mother is delighted and peaceful and rested, the family will happily follow her in the parlour for the time of worship.  It will be almost as awe-inspiring and precious as reading a beautiful bedtime story.  The short time of devotion is a time of reverence and holiness.  It is a discipline in consistency and a lesson in serving the Lord.

When family and guests enter Mother's sanctuary (of a godly home), they should immediately sense her joy and warm welcome.  The residents know Mother works hard to make home a pleasant and happy place. 

Is this ideal place worth fighting for?  Is it worth shutting out the world at regular times so the family can enjoy a respite, taking refreshment and rest they dearly need? 

When they leave Mother's well - tended sanctuary, will their hearts yearn to be back soon?  Will they get homesick for that loving place? 

Babies and small children need rest and order and the routine of a home nursery.  In this fast paced world of overindulging in everything, wouldn't it be worthy if more Mothers created this same type of nursery at home for all who enter?



Blessings
Mrs. White




For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 


Tweet

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

Prayers Which Cannot Be Uttered

When my children were very young, we watched a program on VHS called,  "Shalom Shabbat." It was adorable and starred Topol (from "Fiddler on the Roof").  He was an older gentleman who visited a school to celebrate the Sabbath with the students.  He was able to enjoy the Sabbath meal with one of the families. There are a variety of segments, which show us the different foods served in different countries and cultures.  There are also very short and precious stories using "clay type - cartoon" people.  It was a delightful program.

One segment that struck me was this little boy, sitting on the synagogue steps. There were Hebrew letters all around him and he was puzzled.  The Rabbi, on his way into the synagogue, noticed the boy and his dilemma.  He announced to the congregation that the service would be delayed. He told them about the young boy, saying that time was needed for the letters to reach heaven and form into a prayer.

Sometimes, in our own prayer life, we don't always know what to say.  At other times, we may be so overcome by the trials and pain in our lives, that a prayer is agonizing and exhausting.  What this boy and Rabbi teach us is that we don't always have to say something in our prayers.   There are times we are so weary and dumbfounded, that it is a precious blessing to just sit at the Master's feet, mute, and be comforted.  God knows what we would have said, or what we need.  . . He understands.

Blessings
Mrs. White


For the Tough Times - The Note in Mother's Pocket.

If only we Mothers Had this - Amazing Dedication.

When Things are Going Wrong - Forgotten Kindness in Marriage.







Tweet

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

The Behind - the - Scenes Mother

There is a quiet kind of mother, many strive to be.   She is in the background of the home.  She is meek, yet strong.  She is steadfast and tough in her convictions, yet not bold in her demeanor.    She does those little things for her family and home that no one really notices, unless she is not there.

She seeks no applause.  She seeks no praise.  She is content with her crucial work, behind-the-scenes of her family.  She believes in her husband and children. She stands behind them, watching them in their daily lives, and quietly cheering them on, with gratefulness.  She has no need to praise her children in the gates (to all the neighbors and friends), because this is not to be their earthly reward. She has great discrection, sharing only polite words, and not the personal good and bad of her family.

She does not ask many questions of her loved ones. She is not constantly trying to get "information" out of them, or try to get into "their business."  Because she trusts them with their decisions and choices, knowing that God is on their side.  She has no need of fear or worry.   When things go wrong, or the children make mistakes (as will often be the case), she leaves the burden in Heaven.  For she is wise and brave enough to know there is a plan in the unseen, for which she has no control over. She must trust the Master with those details.

She takes her worries and "what ifs" and pleadings to the Lord in prayer. And then she leaves them there.

This dear quiet mother is the joy and hope of the home.   She is on a lighted path to Heaven. Many will watch her daily life, and want to follow her to that eternal HOME.

Blessings
Mrs. White


I will do This - No Matter What It Cost Me.

Can you See this? - The Smiling Mask of Mother's Pain.

Be One of these - The Mother Who Will Not Accept Reality.





Tweet

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Simplicity of Old Fashioned Homemaking

We've all seen the busy housewife, who decorates and bakes and throws delightful parties.  She shops and she plans. She is so active in, an out of, the home, that many look at her and wonder where she gets her energy.  Most observe her life and despair of trying to mimic her!  She is her own star and she is unreachable!

There is another way.  It is the humble, basic way of simplicity.  It might look meager and poor. It might even look too easy.  But this way can be obtained by far more housewives, if they only realize it is okay to be simple.

There is a slowness to it. . . There is no ambition. . . It is the quiet servant - the meek one, who guides the home.  This housewife putters around the house and yard, cleaning and cooking in her own way. 

In the old days, oatmeal or porridge was the morning meal. Perhaps some bread and butter went with it.  No family was served processed, sugary cereal because it had not yet been invented.  Now today, can you imagine serving morning guests some oatmeal?  How many would balk at it?  But it is healthy and nourishing and warm and comforting!

A simple lunch of baked beans and biscuits with hot tea might be served during the afternoon break from chores.  This isn't a take out meal, or a fast food lunch. It isn't an elaborate planned out menu item.  It was what was available in the pantry.

Domestic occupations were not about planning elaborate events for the home. The simple duties were for the comfort of the family and basic survival. The laundry, the sweeping, the mopping, the cooking, the dusting were all on the normal agenda at home.   The homemaker would put on her housedress and apron and be "on duty" for the day. She was there to tend to the home and family.  She was not the 'event planner' or the one to spoil the children by gratifying their every worldly "want."

There is something very basic and very lovely about an old time homelife.  Bible reading and family prayers were done morning and evening. The family would have afternoon prayers with the noon meal.  They would break from their labor to worship the Lord.  Thoughts of heaven, eternal rest and joy were the ambition.   The focus was on the journey home and the blessed example they could leave to those around them.

Many of us crave this kind of life, but we are often tripped up and confused by what goes on in our culture.  A routine of homelife, the act of ironing or washing floors in the quiet of the morning (while praying or singing old time hymns) can help keep us grounded.  Are we not pilgrims and strangers on this earth?  May the Lord help us avoid acting like the "stars" of this world.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Remembering - A Humble Parlour as a School of Theology.

A Modest, Struggling Life - Living Without Credit Cards.

After a Difficult Illness - "Dear Kitchen."


Tweet

An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

The Painful Years of Motherhood

One of the hardest things to do, as a Mother, is to watch your grown children out in the world. You hear about their trials and their struggles and you beg them to come home. . .

I have two adult children who live in the city.  They have done great things and are doing well. But every so often, over the years, terrible things happen and it breaks my heart. I want to save them. I want to have them home again, and for them to start over, and not leave until they feel ready.  But it is not for me to say. . .

When the worst of stories come, and the tears fall, I pray myself to sleep.  . . I read my Bible for comfort and I wait. . .

They know they are welcome here with us. They know they have a place to come home to. But they are still struggling through things I cannot stop.   Sometimes, I devise plans and say, "Well, you can have your old room back and we will do all the old fun things and it will be wonderful."  I am sure they sigh. I know it sounds good for a visit, but not to live back as a child.  An adult can never go back to those safe, secure years of living with Mother and Dad.  Still, I keep offering.

I realize these occasional heartaches are rare.  I realize that most of the time, they are fine and doing well.  Just like real life.  There are good times and horrible times.  None of us can predict trouble. We can't make life all rosy and sweet.  It is impossible.  Rough days will come. And even though it rends mother's heart with sorrow, we cannot take on the burden.  We give it to Him who knows all things.  We say, "Lord, take care of our children.  Lord, they are having trouble right now. You are in charge of them. Watch. . . and Guard. . . and protect them. . .  and get us all through this."

So I sit here at the estate. I sit on the porch or by the window and I wait for the day when they will come home.  The day they say, "I've had enough of the world and I want to start over."

 Someday, I will see them walk down the lane. Perhaps it is to come home for good. Or maybe it is to tell me they have found a better path and all is wonderful.  Whatever the case may be, tears of joy and relief will fall.  And those painful years will fade away as a distant memory.

blessings
Mrs. White

For those sad times of Motherhood - Childhood Home as the Nursery.

Quiet occupations - How a Housewife Passes the Time.

A Picture of my Children when they were Little - Suppertime with Precious Helpers.


Tweet


An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

The Mother Who Will Not Accept Reality

Our children walk in a dangerous world. They get into all kinds of mischief, often soberly and intentionally.  Some think, "Well, this is who they are." Or, "It is their choice in life."  That is the common reality.

But the mother who has holy ideals for her offspring, the mother who seeks and strives to see them walking a well-lit heavenly path, will not accept any of the bad.

This kind of mother does not pray dry prayers.  She does not pray by rote or through cold, generalizations. Her prayers are heartfelt and comfortingly urgent. They are specific and precious. Yet they come not from her own mind. . .

A Mother in a lukewarm state, cannot utter solemn prayers. She is incapable because she is full of "self" in her normal state of human nature. But the mother who takes one little step towards a holy life, such as spending a morning in bible reading, poring over the hymn book, or raptly listening to a godly sermon, has the most humble, heartbreaking prayers coming from her soul.

These kinds of prayers touch the Master.

Can you just image what would happen if we truly understood verses like this:

"For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalm 11:7)

Imagine the feeble efforts of the mother saints, with humble hearts seeking God. Imagine Heaven's light of glory, and joy, shining on them and bringing them the beauty and awe just like Moses when he came off from the Mount after spending time with God.  He needed a veil because the glory of the Lord, which he had been sitting by and warming his soul, had been so strong that it brought fear and trembling to onlookers.

Imagine if we never settled for the reality we see before us. Imagine if we refused to accept sin and wrong paths in our children. Imagine if we went to our Heavenly Father, warmed ourselves in his holy presence and constantly begged him for regeneration and sanctification in our own lives and in those of our children.

Oh, what a Godly Generation this would bring!

Blessings
Mrs. White

When Mother is Gone - Who Will Weep for You Now?

Please, please try to find a way to be one of these - The Old Time Housewife.

Enduring - The Smiling Mask of Mother's Pain.


Tweet


An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Who Will Weep For You Now?

I read this story once, where a travelling preacher stopped by the side of the road to see a Father and his older children, weeping and distraught. They explained that the wife had died leaving the children motherless.  The husband described his wife as a precious saint, who had prayed for them all. . . and loved them all dearly. The husband cried out to the preacher, feeling so alone and abandoned, saying, "Who will pray for us now?"   The preacher led them to the Lord and encouraged them on their way. This greatly comforted them.

Over the years, as I have visited with people on my way to church, I have heard them call out to me, "Please say a prayer for me, while you are there."  This gives them a good, safe feeling, knowing that someone is on their side, before the Lord. . . Knowing that someone is there pleading for their well-being. And this is good.

Mothers are known for weeping in prayer for their children and for their families. Mother's love and concern is so great . . . and so strong. . . that those kinds of tearful, heart-breaking prayers, bring about great things from God.

Grown children know that each day, at the appointed time of family worship, their Mother is back at home, praying for them.  They know Mother is weeping when they do wrong. They know that Mother would be heartbroken if sin got a hold of them, or if danger was in their path. These children feel as if a guardian angel is watching over them, when they have their saintly mother's prayers to hold them up.

But what happens when Mother is gone? What happens when that Mother has passed-on to her eternal rest? Who will pray for them now?

Will you, like the family on the side of the road, be led to the Lord and carry on the beauty of the Mother's prayers?  May it be so.

And you, who are the precious Mothers. . will you keep your eyes on Heaven and your hearts on things not of this world, that your prayers be not hindered?  May God help us all!


Blessings
Mrs. White

What Do You Think? - Should Mother Work Outside the Home in 1981?

The Blessing of Mama's Songs.

May All Our Homes Be Like - The Mission House.


Tweet




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Living with Heathens

John Walton didn't go to church. I never understood why. His wife went. His children went. And even his parents (Grandpa and Grandma Walton) went every week with the family. Why didn't John go?

On a recent episode of The Waltons, a new preacher moved into town. John went to visit him and said, good naturedly, "I've been a heathen too long. Don't try to convert me." The preacher laughed. He  knew John was teasing.  Everyone in town knew John was a pillar of the community. He was a man of integrity, a man with strong values, and an inspiring father. He had tremendous wisdom and lived out God's commandments. He prayed with his family and encouraged them to go to church.  But he wouldn't go himself.

Some wives have husbands like John. They have children like John. Or, perhaps they live with family members who act like literal heathens. Maybe they don't read the Bible, or openly pray. Maybe they won't go to church and seem unhappy in their souls.  All these things can affect the godly mother in the home.

I've sensed the "seeming" burden of religious education fall on Olivia Walton. I've seen her scold the children for wrongdoing and I've heard her teach those children the Bible. She had Grandma Walton to back her up. And even Grandpa was a laid-back, but dedicated religious man. Was this burden difficult for Olivia?  What was it like living in a home where all family members were not all out for God, in a visual, literal sense?

But this isn't the issue. . .

The problem is when Mother is so caught up in the sorrows of others, that she cannot focus on her own soul.  She can easily spend much of her time worrying, pleading, begging and weeping for the "heathens" in her life, that she forgets to cultivate a relationship with the Lord.

The saying goes, "More is caught than taught."  Mother must keep her eyes on heaven and learn to trust and have faith that God is taking care of it all.  She must spend her daily life seeking to be closer  to Him, and not being distracted by earthly cares or worldly worries. 

The fruit of this effort is a bright, warm light comforting those around her and guiding them Heavenward.

The light does the guiding, not her words.

It has been said that we are vessels for the Master's use. He works through us, not because of us.  We must remember each and every day, and keep reminding ourselves, over and over again, that we need More Love, More Focus, More Dedication to The Almighty and that is our main purpose in life. We have to remember that no matter what the "seeming" heathens do, we have to live His way, even if it looks like no one else is.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Winter Trials - The Neglected Parlour.

Get Dressed up for a Quick Visit - Happy Homemaking.

For Those Very Rough Motherhood Days - Mama, Dry Your Tears.



You are welcome to a FREE copy of My Old Fashioned Bible Study for women.  


Tweet




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Designed to Comfort Us

Sometimes when I drive my teenagers on an errand, we stop at a little store at the corner of an intersection. Across the street is a large church.  We can hear a gentle sound of hymns being played from the church bells. It is lovely. The sound calms my nerves. It soothes me. It takes my mind to heavenly things, and off my daily troubles. I am grateful to them. I wonder if they know it is a blessing to those walking by?

Sometimes I leave my Bible on the kitchen table, or the hutch counter.   When I am busy doing chores, I absentmindedly notice it and touch the cover. It slows me down for a moment, and turns my thoughts off this difficult life.

The Church, The Bible, Prayers, and Religious Duties are all designed to comfort us. They are there so we can take a break from the constant, stressful demands in this life. How would we ever survive without them? Wouldn't the light and the salt be removed? How, then, can we ever consider the neglect of these essential duties?

blessings
Mrs. White

The Hidden Lesson - What Sundays Used to Mean to Housewives.

The Way it Was -  The Old Sunday Dinner.

Are you one of these? - Brave Mothers who Walk into Walls.

When I am gone - These Things Will Comfort My Children.




Tweet



An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.

Mother's Progress

I was up in the middle of the night. There was a precious prodigal on the phone. The dear soul was weeping and weary. I encouraged her, advised her and prayed with her. She was better. Things were okay.  I thought of the hymn, "Amazing Grace," and hummed it to myself as I drifted off to sleep. I thought of how we all struggle with human nature and our own depravity. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who forgives and offers grace. We can be made whole in His presence.

This morning, the sun is shining. My house is quiet and I have much work to do. I will do it cheerfully. I will take the time to read my Bible and I will pray. I will pray for my own progress in this life, and I will pray for the progress of the prodigals and my children.

It is a long road to Heaven. It is crowded with thorns and tears and pain. But joy comes in the morning.

Blessings
Mrs. White

The Importance of being The Good Wife.

The Hard Days - When Mama Falls Asleep on the Job.

We must not put our own responsibilities on our children - A Cheerful and Willing Housekeeper.




Tweet


An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.