"Passionate Housewives," pt 18

Creating a Christian Culture: The Masterpiece of the Home

Every home has a culture – either good or bad, whether by design or by default.  The culture of each home reflects the priorities and spiritual temperament of the household.  Whether these priorities are deliberately thought out and explained, (or merely assumed), they impact each member of the family, permeating the atmosphere of the home and beyond.

Building a rich and vibrant family culture takes time.  It takes initiative and perseverance.  There will be seasons when a wife’s “culture-building” activities will be dominated by a steady stream of diapers and dirty laundry.  Yet we must not miss the significance of these menial tasks – for they can be compared to the broad brush strokes upon a grand masterpiece.

Home is a place where memories are made, meals are shared, truths are learned, stories are told, and lives are formed and defined.  It is a place of industry and usefulness; a place where thousands of cultural expressions are conveyed and where a family’s unique flavor and culture are cultivated.

Christian women must reject any distorted view of the modern housewife – whether it be the miserable household drudge; the fanatical, sock-matching wonder-woman; the child-centered, worn out soccer mom; or the deceptive, apron-wearing vixen. When we consistently renew our minds by absorbing scripture and by passionately embracing the sacred calling God has truly given us women, we refute the perverted image of the desperate housewife by believing His promises and showing the world there is something better for which we can truly be passionate!