Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:
but much increase is by the strength of the ox
.~ Proverbs 14:4, KJV
I downloaded this book (booklet?) this while it was free this month:
I downloaded this book (booklet?) this while it was free this month:
It's short, and VERY basic. I think it would be a great read for a new, or struggling homemaker.. but for someone who cooks and cleans regularly, nothing really new here.
The most thought provoking part of it for me was when I asked on my fb page how often everyone typically cleans their fridge, and found that I was pretty much alone in emptying it and cleaning it out every single week. Every. Single. Week.
I started wondering if I just make myself work (back to the stay at home mom guilt trip.. should I get a "real" job? Am I just making busy work for myself here at home to justify being home?) but then I settled into the realization that I cook 3 meals a day, in a home with FOUR teenagers, 3 of them growing boys, and a variety of drop ins.. Nineteen meals (I only cook once on Sundays) a week for 6+ people, plus baking, and that is a LOT of food in and out of the pantry, fridge, and freezer each week. We don't eat pre-made or boxed foods, and we rarely eat out.. that means more work not only in the preparing of the food, but also in the storage and cleaning of the food storage areas.
Then last night I was reading The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet by Darlene Schacht and at the beginning of the chapter was this verse:
The most thought provoking part of it for me was when I asked on my fb page how often everyone typically cleans their fridge, and found that I was pretty much alone in emptying it and cleaning it out every single week. Every. Single. Week.
I started wondering if I just make myself work (back to the stay at home mom guilt trip.. should I get a "real" job? Am I just making busy work for myself here at home to justify being home?) but then I settled into the realization that I cook 3 meals a day, in a home with FOUR teenagers, 3 of them growing boys, and a variety of drop ins.. Nineteen meals (I only cook once on Sundays) a week for 6+ people, plus baking, and that is a LOT of food in and out of the pantry, fridge, and freezer each week. We don't eat pre-made or boxed foods, and we rarely eat out.. that means more work not only in the preparing of the food, but also in the storage and cleaning of the food storage areas.
Then last night I was reading The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet by Darlene Schacht and at the beginning of the chapter was this verse:
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:
but much increase is by the strength of the ox
.~ Proverbs 14:4, KJV
The NLT Says:
Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
It's not about oxen, it's not about teenagers.. it's the principle. Life that is full will be messy.
Put that way, I'm ok with the extra work of cleaning my fridge every single week. Our lives are full - overflowing - and I am so, so thankful for this season of life. I wouldn't change it for anything - not even for a clean crib. :-)
The NLT Says:
Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
It's not about oxen, it's not about teenagers.. it's the principle. Life that is full will be messy.
Put that way, I'm ok with the extra work of cleaning my fridge every single week. Our lives are full - overflowing - and I am so, so thankful for this season of life. I wouldn't change it for anything - not even for a clean crib. :-)
So enjoyed this and agree -- great scripture for sure :)
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