Focused Homemaking

This is so good!
I read it awhile back and was going to gather notes to go with it but there really isn’t need.
It is a lovely call out to homemakers in my opinion.
We care for and we carry, we clean, cook, organize, plan, and many other things every day.
In whatever form we do it, we must see it as our calling and manage it accordingly.

Here is Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Proverbs (certain places in Proverbs from what I can tell by my not-so-neat notes. Also, I will include my notes in brackets from here on out).

Pro 27:23-27

Here is, I. A command given us to be diligent in our callings.

It is directed to husbandmen and shepherds, and those that deal in cattle, but it is to be extended to all other lawful callings; whatever our business is, within doors or without, we must apply our minds to it.

This command intimates,

1. That we ought to have some business to do in this world and not to live in idleness.

2. We ought rightly and fully to understand our business, and know what we have to do, and not meddle with that which we do not understand.

{We should learn what is important in running our homes, know what WE need to do to accomplish those things. I don't think the not meddling with what we don't understand should imply we shouldn't learn more than homemaking. I think it means we need to do our best to learn all we can about what we are called to do and on anything God gives us interest in to learn. If there are things we have no desire to learn in or force ourselves to know about and we are trying to do that just because we feel we "should" ... it becomes a waste of time. If we have an interest in learning something... no matter how complex it is or how much we don't understand it... we can learn it and the Holy Spirit will teach us.}

3. We ought to have an eye to it ourselves, and not turn over all the care of it to others. We should, with our own eyes, inspect the state of our flocks, it is the master's eye that makes them fat.

{We should be the overseers of our households. We should know it better than anyone and we should not turn the entire care of running our homes over to others. We should be involved with it at all the main levels. We need to delegate, train and teach ... certainly. We also need to check and inspect and have a handle on what we assign for others. }

4. We must be discreet and considerate in the management of our business, know the state of things, and look well to them, that nothing may be lost, no opportunity let slip, but every thing done in proper time and order, and so as to turn to the best advantage.

{Looking well to the ways of our households. This is what I always fall short from but aspire to ANYway! To know the state of things from my home, the building... to all the goings on in it. We want to be organized enough so we are prepared for blessings, God's service and every other opportunity He gifts us with. We need plans for meals, shopping, house cleaning, serving others and so much more to keep everything running smoothly.}

5. We must be diligent and take pains; not only sit down and contrive, but be up and doing: “Set thy heart to thy herds, as one in care; lay thy hands, lay thy bones, to thy business.”

{We need to keep busy. Keep at it. There are times for rest, yes! We all need rest and we have one day a week God even instructs us to take specifically for that rest. In the meanwhile? There is work to be done! We are wise to set our hearts to this and lots will be kept on track this way.}

A few more notes from the same commentary I just couldn't not share:

The profit of good husbandry in a family:

“Keep thy sheep, and thy sheep will help to keep thee; thou shalt have food for thy children and servants, goats' milk enough (Pro_27:27); and enough is as good as a feast.

Thou shalt have raiment likewise: the lambs' wool shall be for thy clothing.

Thou shalt have money to pay thy rent; the goats thou shalt have to sell shall be the price of thy field;” nay, as some understand it, “Thou shalt become a purchaser, and buy land to leave to thy children,” (Pro_27:26).

Note,

(1.) If we have food and raiment, and wherewithal to give every body his own, we have enough, and ought to be not only content, but thankful.

(2.) Masters of families must provide not only for themselves, but for their families, and see that their servants have a fitting maintenance.

(3.) Plain food and plain clothing, if they be but competent, are all we should aim at. “Reckon thyself well done to if thou be clothed with home-spun cloth with the fleece of thy own lambs, and fed with goats' milk; let that serve for thy food which serves for the food of thy household and the maintenance of thy maidens. Be not desirous of dainties, far-fetched and dear-bought.”

(4.) This should encourage us to be careful and industrious about our business, that that will bring in a sufficient maintenance for our families; we shall eat the labour of our hands.

{I will now leave the computer for a bit to finish up my laundry, check the work I gave the girls' earlier and pull out our food for dinner prep tonight!}