A Homemaker's Resume

I'll be honest. If I were going to compile my homemaking "credentials" into a resume, I wouldn't want to give someone the impression that my life's work is defined by the following:

-Excellent toilet-scrubber. Is especially accomplished in the finer points of outer-toilet detailing.

-Experienced in doggy-maintenance. Has handled upwards of 300 "doggy-breach-of-hygiene-code" critical cases.

-Almost twenty years' experience in sock-folding. For the past fifteen years, has consistently maintained a 97.5% rate of accuracy in sock-matching.

-Three years' experience in maintaining husband's distinguished tie collection [Here's where I slyly omit that he only owns about two ties...wink, wink;o)]

-Has managed Christmas letter creation and distribution for three years. Recipients have generally reported "extremely high satisfaction" with the festive report's combination of news, humor and an appropriate level of self-deprecation.

-Has mastered such cost-cutting skills as:
1. Cutting one's own hair [This is an art, let me assure you! Mirror-placement and backward-arm-bendage are especially complicated.]
2. Spotting the store-brand green beans in less than three seconds.
3. Saving dryer lint to maximize throw-pillow plumpness [I could do this. I don't...but there's no need to mention that!]

No...I may be prideful, but I'd like to think that my existence on earth will account for more than the above accomplishments, impressive though they may be. I happen to believe that homemaking is a calling higher than any repetitive manual task. Successful homemaking requires creativity well beyond reusing dryer lint, far more intellectual power than necessary for sock-matching, and a wealth of skills beyond scrubbing toilets. It is one of the most diverse positions available.

Sure, homemaking entails repetitive manual tasks. So does just about every other job on earth. I don't generally mind these tasks, as it gives my brain a "resting period" to think or pray or simply listen to the radio while my hands are busy. Not to mention that it's nice to have the exercise. I remember the feeling of sitting plastered to an office chair for nearly eight hours straight. I used to relish my trips to the bathroom, providing for just the barest amount of physical activity!

But homemaking entails much more than keeping the house clean. I am discovering new growth opportunities within the field of homemaking every day. In fact, were I to work 24/7, I don't think I could expand my horizons far enough to exhaust all the possibilities! The days just fly too fast to allow for more than merely scratching the surface.

As a woman, a wife, a [future, Lord willing] mother and a worker, I would like to look back at the end of my life and see these accomplishments on my resume:

-Loved her Lord and spent time getting to know His Infinite heart. Allowed Him to transform her character to be more like His.

-Loved and honored her husband. Never made him doubt his place in her heart, second only to God. Always sought little and big ways to demonstrate her love for him.

-Nurtured her children, prayed for them, and placed them in her Father's loving hands.

-Made her home--Not a showcase for expensive, impersonal relics--but a place pulsing with life, love, and industry. A place of welcoming hospitality. A place where, when night arrived, she rested peacefully with that comforting sense of having her loved ones gathered in nearby.

-Read A LOT. Was always learning and developing her mind.

-Wrote things that helped and encouraged people.

-Assisted and engaged in her husband's industry and calling. Found creative ways to make him (and by default, them) more successful. Helped, wherever possible, and by whatever skills she possessed, to earn and manage their family's income.

-Pursued and developed the following skills and interests (including but not limited to):
Cooking fabulous and nutritious meals for family and friends
Gardening
Frugality, so that excess money could be put to good use
Financial investment
The art of encouragement
Creative teaching of children
Writing skills
Cultivating beauty in the little aspects of life
Musical talent as a pianist
Photography and scrapbooking
Refurbishing old homes and old furniture
Sewing, especially beautiful skirts and things for the home such as pillows and curtains
Historical interest
Opportunities to travel
Hospitality
Service to others

-Served others in her family and community, as their needs arose, and learned to do it with a loving and gentle spirit.

-Learned to be faithful and trusting in God through the trials that arose, and to be resilient.

Looking at this "future resume" is overwhelming. I have SO far to go. I hope I will get to spend my whole life attempting to rise to this challenge, because I know that's how long it will take! Thank God that HE will be there to help me. I could never do this without Him.