Mother Roar Series

Part Three

Keeper of the Home- Are You On Guard?

Being the keeper of the home is probably one of the most commonly misunderstood biblical responsibilities of women in today’s world. Society has reduced this important role to nothing more than the efficient running of home esthetics and mechanical operation. However, doing just a simple word study in the bible reveals yet again that God intended so much more for the home life of His children and the valuable position that women were intended to hold in this sphere of life.

In the Book of Titus chapter 2, verse 5, we read that older women in the Body of Christ were being told to teach the younger women, “…To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

The Greek word translated “keepers at home” (KJV) or “homemakers” (NKJV) is oikouros. This is a compound word from oikos- meaning house, household, family; and ouros- which means-a guard, be “ware”, guardian, a watcher, a warden.

This is one of the most important definitions for me as a woman at home. It gives us quite a clue as to how our time is to be filled day after day. Ladies, we are considered by the Word of God as guardians of our homes.

Webster’s 1828 defines a ‘keeper’ as : One who has the care, custody or superintendence of anything; and a ‘guardian’ is:

  1. A warden; one who guards, preserves or secures; one to whom anything is committed for preservation from injury.

2. In law, one who is chosen or appointed to take charge of the estate and education of an orphan who is a minor, or of any person who is not of sufficient discretion to manage his own concerns. The person committed to the care of a guardian is called his ward.

GUARD’IAN, a. Protection; performing the office of a protector; as a guardian angel; guardian care.

As mothers, whether or not we choose to acknowledge it, we are responsible before the Lord for keeping our homes. We are responsible for keeping, watching, preserving, securing, protecting and guarding our homes. We are the superintendents of our homes and all who are a part of our households. Over the years, I have taken this role very seriously, but recently there was one area where I am painfully aware of the fact that I was not watchful as a mother over the affairs of my household and the results could have been devastating. Thank the Lord that He is merciful and reveals truth in the nick of time, but it was something I was not watchful over. Now, there is no condemnation here, I know that God is faithful and He forgives, but the fact remains that ‘I’ was the one who was not watchful, I was not “on guard” for my family like I knew I should have been.  Mothers, our families NEED us and no amount of excuses can justify us not fulfilling our God-given roles. (For those of you in circumstances where the home life is difficult – maybe you have an unbelieving spouse, are single or truly need to work outside the home- The Lord understands your circumstances and He can give you the wisdom on how to continue to fulfill your calling as a mother within the context of circumstances. There is no need to feel discouraged! Just seek Him and ask Him to guide you in raising your children, He is so faithful!)  A mother has an inner-knowing that something might not be “right”, mothers have the keen sensitivity to each child entrusted to her, mothers can sense danger miles away and steer their clan to safety. My point is: you are not replaceable- no one can fill your shoes like you can!

So, what happens when we fail to guard our homes? Simply put, our homes are unprotected! Think of that for a moment. When we do not do our part in the God-given family unit, our families are void of protection. Many women today are confused as to why their marriages are in trouble, why their children have fallen away from the Lord and are engaged in unholy behavior, but they fail to see that, perhaps, they may have had a hand in the very things that are now breaking their hearts.

 Ladies, it is time to get real about who God created us to be and to resume our position as guardians of the home! It is time to take back the post of family and keep watch over them. Listen- our families are bigger than us if we are in Christ… we are building His Body, the Church! Wow!

Godly families don’t just ‘happen’- it is work and someone has to do it. Mom, you are a huge part of that workload. What does keeping your home look like? Some honestly want to know. I can tell you what I feel it looks like, check according to scripture and pray about it on your own as well. Everyone has different circumstances, so you may need to seek Him about the specifics of how to keep watch over your household, but here are some specifics the Lord has guided our family in so far:

• Be a Christ-like example- This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how often we compromise the Word in our homes for convenience, pleasure and out of spiritual laziness. Our spouses and children are watching us for the standard. Ask yourself, “If my children will become like me someday, what kind of person will they be?” Our prayer in our home is that in our efforts to be like Jesus, our children will get a real glimpse of Who He is and desire to be like Him too.
• Follow the Word of God- no matter what- Like the above, “How do we want our children to navigate the world around them? Do we want them to adopt false philosophies about life and how to manage it or do we want them to walk in truth and bear lasting fruit in Christ?” As mothers, we have a unique opportunity to model the Word on a daily basis to them.
• Be watchful- There is a growing trend of parents who allow their children to live their own lives separate from the family and it is having devastating results.  Watch who your children are spending time with, watch the media that is speaking to your child day in and day out (and it is indeed speaking) through television, music, cell phones, I pods and computers. Be aware of the different authority figures that are speaking into your child’s life on a consistent basis- do they affirm your values and your position as a parent or do they tear them down in the eyes of your children, no matter how well-intentioned they may be? Where and how does your child spend most of their time?
• Examine yourself- Mother, are you available to your children? The greatest demand on us as keepers of the home is not housework, bills and cooking- it is TIME and RELATIONSHIPS. A mother has to learn how to be available to each family member on a personal level. I believe this is where we most model Jesus to those around us. As we are being guardians, we are teaching, warning, praying, encouraging, listening- we are in constant interaction every single day with each child. TIME. RELATIONSHIP. The crowds didn’t chase Jesus down for nothing, they wanted time with him, they wanted an impartation from Him. Too many women have developed a wrong attitude concerning the demand for their time as a mother, becoming irritated, annoyed and even resentful that they should have to spend real time with the children they’ve been given. Yes, things do need to get done for the home to run smoothly, no arguments here; but as a mom, try to put things in perspective and realize that your time and relationship with you is the most important thing you can give your child.

The home is the precious environment in which the Lord deemed worthy to grow our families; but there must be someone to be willing to keep and tend that environment. By His design, the Lord has chosen women to fulfill this role and it was never intended to be minimalized, torn down or forgotten. It is an honorable, worthy position that when performed in the context of the Word of God, produces an incredible harvest. This week as you think about being the keeper, or guardian, of your home, ask the Lord to show you areas where you can be more watchful over what and who He has entrusted you with. Be honest about the areas that you have missed the mark and commit to lining yourself up to His standard. Mother, you are so valuable to your family, this week, give your “Mother Roar” go guard your post!

**Next Week we will be discussing Part Four of the Mother Roar Series: A Wise Woman Builds Her House! See you then & have a blessed week!