Talents of a Homemaker

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”Colossians 3:17

Every single person in this world has differing natural talents given to them by God. God has gifted each of us specifically for His own purpose. Therefore, our talents are not meant to be used for personal glory, but they are meant to be used for the glory of God. So often we are not using our talents properly, if at all. Our talents are also not meant to be compared against another’s talents. This trap is where a lot of people fall into the lie that they aren’t good enough like so-and-so and therefore they give up and stop trying. We’re not supposed to be trying to be like so-and-so. We are to be striving to be like Christ and exercising our talents for His glory alone!

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”2 Corinthians 10:12

How can this be applied to us homemakers? Well, if you stop and think right now of your personal daily routine in your own home…. then think of your friend down the street and what you’ve observed in her daily life at home… then think of the super-woman you see at church all the time…. and there you have it. It’s that easy to compare. The tendency is to look at each other’s qualities where it seems “they have it all together” and put yourself down for not doing the same thing. But the flip side to that is also focusing on each other’s areas where it seems “they don’t have it all together” and propping yourself up because you think you’re better than them. But this isn’t what God has called us as homemakers to be doing with our lives. We waste a bunch of time and create messy relationships when we start the comparing game. We would save ourselves a whole lot of trouble and live more peaceful lives if we simply did what God has said to do:

“Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”I Corinthians 10:31

It’s that simple. The mundane tasks of eating and drinking are to be done to the glory of God. So even the weightier tasks of raising children are also to be done to the glory of God. Not to be done according to Sally-Got-It-All-Together, because the truth of the matter is, she doesn’t. You will never live up to her routine and practice because you were not created to. You were created for the explicit purpose of glorifying God!

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”Revelation 4:11

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”Colossians 1:16

I think we tend to be like the Pharisees that focused so much on their outward appearances to men than they did on their hearts. Jesus called them out on this.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”Matthew 23:25

“And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but you inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.” Luke 11:39

“Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:26

Jesus really lays it on them when he says that their hearts are full of wickedness, extortion, and excess. He revealed their true heart motives. It kind of hurts to think that I, too, am full of wickedness, extortion, and excess when I seek the praise of men more than the praise of God. You realize that when we women compare our lives against each other we are doing the same thing? We are seeking to look like we “have it all together” and making that the most important thing. No wonder we’re so miserable. Men’s praise doesn’t bring lasting joy. But knowing that God is pleased with me, now that brings lasting joy and peace!

“You can mimic goodness, but godliness cannot be imitated.”Pg. 100 of Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow

“Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” I Peter 3:3-4

“When you read about this superwoman[referring to the Proverbs 31 woman], what comes to mind? A long litany of her achievements?... Yet if you look carefully at the text, you will discover that all she accomplished flowed from her inner character. This woman took her knowledge of God and applied it in a skillful and successful way so that her life became a picture of beauty.”Pg. 44 of Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow

I decided to take her up on that and I carefully looked at the Proverbs 31 woman’s list of accomplishments in light of her inner character. This is what I found.

What made her priceless was her virtue. (Vs. 10)

What caused her husband to trust her was her character. (Vs. 11)

Her works were comprised of good. (Vs. 12)

Her work ethic was one of willingness which seems she would’ve chosen to do it with a happy heart. (Vs. 13)

She put forth the effort to diligently seek the best food for her family. (Vs. 14)

She was not lazy, but responsible. (Vs. 15)

She was not hasty, but discerning. (Vs. 16)

She didn’t shy away from hard work. (Vs. 17)

She used her talents for good and was faithful in them. (Vs. 18)

The idea of expanding her talents; willing to learn something new or a continuation of using her talents as in verse 18. (Vs. 19)

Her care for the poor came from a kind and tender heart. (Vs. 20)

She is prepared so she doesn’t need to fear the future. (Vs. 21)

Her work is one of quality. (Vs. 22)

Her character is one that supports her husband, not one that shames him. (Vs. 23)

She helps to support her home and family by bringing extra income on the side; by doing what she can to help. (Vs. 24)

What is seen of her is not her outward, high-quality apparel, but instead what shows through is her clothing of character; her inward strength and heart of integrity. (Vs. 25)

Her words are kind and wise because they come from a wise and kind heart. (Vs. 26)

She is not idle, but does what needs to be done for the good of her family. (Vs. 27)

This woman is praised for her virtuous living and fear of the Lord. (Vs. 28-30)

This woman received blessing and praise, not because of her outward beauty, but because of her inward beauty of the heart. (Vs. 28-31)

I’m sure there’s more to be gleaned here, but the point is that this Proverbs 31 woman did all that she did because of what was in her heart. We are not out of reach of this. If we, too, keep our heart motives aligned to the sole purpose of glorifying God, then we can each use our individual talents to accomplish much for Him!

Megan Hammett

Megan was born and raised in mid-Missouri in a Christian home. At the age of 16, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and has been growing in Him ever since! Megan moved out to Pennsylvania in 2017 after she met and married the man of her dreams, Samuel Hammett. She is currently serving alongside him at LVBC. God is growing and stretching her as she learns God’s purpose for her in this stage of life. Read my story here.

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