A Homemaker’s Dilemma, Pt. 2

On Monday, we responded to Julie’s humble question by directing her first to Scripture’s clear designation of the woman as “home manager” (Tit. 2:3-5, 1 Tim. 5:14, Prov. 31:10ff).  This responsibility to “rule” over our domain is a privilege from our gracious Creator and thus a task that we must wholeheartedly embrace.

But there is certainly more to be said. In particular, the question is raised: What if a woman’s husband is lazy or unwilling to help out when she needs a hand? Is she just supposed to bite her lip and keep serving her family while he takes it easy?

To whatever degree this occurs in our home, it can be a temptation for us as women. When it is repeated over a long period of time, it is most certainly a trial that can affect our marriage and children.

If we are working hard and our husband is not, our sense of justice, of fairness, is violated.  Hey, we think, this isn’t right! I’ve been working hard all day and I deserve a break too! We can easily give into resentment, anger, bitterness and a host of other sins.

So, what is a homemaker to do?

We must not take our cues from the culture: “Men nowadays are supposed to do  _______ in the home.”

We must not refer back to our own upbringing: “My dad used to _______ for my mom.”

We must not rely on our own sense of “fairness”: “It’s only right for you to do _______ because I do _______.”

We must not compare our husband to our friend’s husband: “So and so’s husband always does _______ for her.”

There’s only one place from which we can take our cues. You guessed it! God’s Word.

The Bible is our source for all wisdom and guidance. It provides comfort in trial and hope in uncertainty. It is “our only authoritative standard for all we think, say, and do”—and, I might add, “all we cook and clean.”

So what does God’s Word say to the wife of a lazy husband?

More thoughts tomorrow.