By Katrece Howard
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy was instructed by Glinda, the Good Witch, to click her heels together and repeat the phrase “There’s no place like home” until she was magically sent back to the farm in Kansas. She left the world of the Emerald City, a deceptive wizard, flying monkeys and an evil witch to return to where she belonged.
Why would Dorothy want to return home when she could have any desire fulfilled in the enchanted land she found herself? Because she knew she did not belong. Her longing was to return where she was loved and needed by her family. Do we have any modern Dorothys today? Are women working outside the home when there is a duty they are to fulfill in the home? What does God command of women?
Who should be home? Why would a woman stay home instead of having a career in the secular world? One reason perfectly answers the question: She is a mother. Mothers need to remain home. The responsibility to rear children is given solely to the parents. Several generations of women have been indoctrinated they must work outside the home to help their family thrive. Instead let us return to God and follow His commands which do not alter!
Titus 2:3-5 teaches us the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed (NKJV). The older women are to teach the younger good things including to love their children, to be obedient to their husbands and to be homemakers. Ladies, let us obey that command!
Motherhood and homemaker are beautiful words. These are honored privileges in which a woman should be eager to excel. One cannot give their best when their attention divides between home and career. A mother’s focus should be on her family.
If a married woman has no children, she can freely work outside the home if such is the agreement between her and her husband. As well, an unmarried woman can build a career without restrictions until she chooses to marry and becomes a mother. A young woman planning ahead can chose a job she can use in her future home. Working from home is easily managed today. This gives a woman the advantage to remain where she is needed.
Women who have children are given a unique opportunity which should not easily pass to others. Loving family members, trusted friends or respected day cares are not to whom the responsibility was given. To nurture and properly rear those souls with which they have been blessed takes a mother. A newborn transforms to an adult in rapid speed. Will you use those eighteen years well?
Circumstances arise where children may not have a mother present in the home. Death or divorce brings change where a father alone or other family member helps rear children. A widow may require finding employment to earn income. But let’s face facts, the world’s influence of feminism has refocused many Christian women to see careers as normal, even expected. Is that what the Bible teaches?
Motherhood is belittled, demeaned and lowered by those who do not love nor respect God. On the other hand, the career woman has all the glory in her chosen field as she juggles home and profession. But juggling too many commitments and responsibilities is difficult to continue for long. Woman, wife, mother and career are time consuming endeavors which can exhaust one from performing all well.
Adam calls Eve “the mother of all living”. She remains the first woman, wife and mother. At her beginning, we are given the commandment which applies to all married in Genesis 2:24. These two souls began the first home. It was to man the certainty of toil was given (Genesis 3:17-19). It is to the husband to be the head of the home with his wife in subjection as taught in Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Women are to obey God’s command and submit to their husbands in the Lord.
What commands are given to mothers? Mothers are shown by the valid use of example in God’s word. While not all Bible women are patterns to imitate, many examples are given of godly mothers. Mary, the mother of Jesus, shows us the importance of using the brief time we are given with our child to teach them to serve our God (Luke 2). Hannah purposed in her heart to give a son back in service to God (1 Samuel 1). Paul speaks of Lois and Eunice who were instrumental in rearing Timothy (2 Timothy 1). The woman of Proverbs thirty one remains a model of how to be an excellent wife and mother. In God’s wisdom, we learn by Biblical examples of those following His commands. Women striving for righteousness would obey. A wise woman also learns from Biblical examples of those who rejected God’s word leading to destruction of family and souls.
Why is the mother’s presence needed at home? Mothers are extraordinarily necessary to love, protect and guide the children they have been entrusted. This is a constant task where she must be present to be vigilant. She must protect her children from the wickedness in the world. A mother at home takes a proactive stand in guarding her home and children from evil companions and worldliness. She lives the commands of God in putting her family first.
Proverbs 24:3-4 tells us Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A homemaker fills her life with service to her physical family, spiritual family and community. She looks to serve in every way and becomes an example and instructor to her children. Each day is filled with creating a godly home and using her skill to work for her family and others. A mother’s abilities are uniquely designed for shaping the character and lives of her own children. Yes, even the future of a nation is determined by the homes produced within. Proverbs 14:34 states Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
Dorothy endured trials and hardships to come to the conclusion she should not have left home. Once she realized her need, she took the steps to return. Changes can be difficult to make. However, they are easier than looking back in regret knowing it is now too late. Your child has only one childhood. A mother should harness every second of the fleeting time. A wise woman obeys her Lord. Click your heels together and go home!
