Dear Dottie: Why Aren’t Working Women In Your New Homemaking Book?
Dear Dottie,
I was looking through The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook in the bookstore yesterday. It looks like a wonderful resource, but I noticed something missing. No where in the book (and I just checked the Table of Contents on Amazon to be sure) is there a chapter for women who work outside the home. These women may be single, they may be married, they may be mothers. I know Southwestern Seminary employs many of them. Yet, this book has no advice, wisdom, or encouragement for those who are having to balance their homemaking with outside jobs and/or school. I understand and agree with the Biblical stance on women being homeward oriented, I can do the Greek word studies of oikourgous (homemakers). Yet, my weary heart, as a homemaker, almost full-time employee, part-time pastor’s wife, full time student, and 24/7 wife, asks – why did you leave me out of the book?
I am physically not at home enough to make the home I would wish for my husband. My heart longs to be more of, and a better homemaker, yet for now I have to choose contentment and satisfaction with the multiple roles God has given me, homemaker being just one. I know many women employed outside the home struggle with keeping up both responsibilities, since generally, in most homes, even if the wife works outside the home she’s still responsible for upwards of 70% of the cleaning/cooking, etc in the home as well as her part or full time job. What hope can you give for the heart of women who want to make a home, but either don’t have a family, or financially cannot be in their home like they want/need in order to accomplish that task?
Sincerely,
Exhausted & Hand-tied
