Amiability, a housewife's virtue

Something to work on for Lent?

Image from Rosemary for Remembrance by Tasha Tudor (affiliate link)

Your average housewife is likely pregnant, nursing, or both. She probably doesn’t have much unbroken sleep and the days can seem long. So Lent might feel oppressively looming… and yet, one wishes to do one’s best.

Might I suggest the virtue of amiability as a goal this Lent? Everyone should strive for this virtue; the mother in the home can help others reach it if she herself is amiable. I need to work on this too!

Fast (as you are able, we discussed this), give alms (ditto), and pray (with a penitential heart). If we emerge at Easter with the habit of trying to have RHF (Resting Happy Face — as opposed to, well, you know), putting a bit of affection in our voice, and making those around us more comfortable — while also calling them to “lead, inspire, and prepare for war”*, I think we will have had a good Lent.

Read this article from dear Fr. Schall to understand the subtleties of this virtue: yes, it involves niceness (not my favorite word to be honest), but certainly not any mushy inability to stand up for what’s right.

Here’s a lovely list to ponder.

Use your judgement: don’t let it make you anxious (but it’s maybe more helpful than that litany of humility! There I said it!). It’s not about being fake or never venting your frustration. It’s not about failing to correct those who err (especially children). But it is about not having habits of scowling and whining about things. We all would prefer to be around those who are amiable! The mother in the home can make things a lot more peaceful by working on these qualities, with the help of God and following the model of Mary, Most Amiable!

*For what this motto is and why I think it applies to housewives, go here (scroll down a bit).

Please consider sharing The School for Housewives with your girls’ club, book club, or women’s group!

If you don’t wish to subscribe just now, I understand! How about…

The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to make your home. If you’re new here, go to the homepage for the previous Lessons; the categories are arranged in the menu bar at the top.

For the longer version:

My book on how to live with the Liturgical Year: The Little Oratory

As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take my ideas, coming from my experience of 45 years of marriage and raising seven children, and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!