The Housewife Who Is Just
"Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice." Gen 15:6
All around us is the question of how things make us feel, but what about justice — what we owe?
Justice is giving each one his due, what is owed him.
The first object of justice is God! He made us, He loves us, He died on the cross for us, He saved us.
That’s why I say to orient your days to Sunday, the day we, in obedience to the Commandments, manifest in justice what we owe, which is worship. In return, on that day, He quiets our soul, gives us rest, and turns our eyes to the stars rather than keeping them focused on the ground, on our daily work. Over time, this orientation, even in the midst of what does not seem or feel quiet or orderly, puts its stamp on us.
There must be someone who makes it her joyful duty in justice to make sure the family isn’t too tired, too disorganized, or too frantic to set aside the day. Like the priest, paradoxically the woman of the house has quite a bit of work to do to make this “day of rest” happen!
By her determination, she will draw others to the virtue of justice as well. Perhaps you can imagine the effects on the whole world of her pursuit of justice in her household.
God as Architect/Builder/Geometer/Craftsman, The Frontispiece of the Bible Moralisée
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As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take what I’m saying — ideas that come from my experience raising seven children and 45 years of marriage— and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!
I have never thought about homemaking & Sabbath from this perspective! Almost every Sabbath in October I was half-hearted during worship and unrestful during the remainder of Sunday because I procrastinated the laundry and the shopping to the last possible minute, i.e., Sunday evening. This past weekend, I spent Friday and Saturday on laundry and dishes and was therefore fully present on Sunday. I had not explicitly thought, "Worship is what I owe the Lord," but the sense of rightness and good order that permeated the day stands in support of your argument for justice. Such a helpful word!
Yes! In the spring my husband suggested we become more deliberate with a sabbath rest. I did some reading and research and rearranged my weekly routine so that I had time to prep Sunday’s food. It took effort to get where we are but it’s been so worth it to dial in a new system and have that day of true rest.