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Since Tony and I have been together, I have always worked a little part-time job. There was a time, especially when we first got married, that I really wanted my part-time job to turn into a full-time job, but in God’s providence that never happened and I continued to work about 25-30 hours per week. While I was doing my work, I would often listen to a sermon of sorts. Tony & I were constantly exposing ourselves to speakers, authors, and ministries that had a rich understanding of the gospel and that highly valued the roles of the family. Over the course of a year, God really began to teach us a lot regarding biblical manhood and womanhood, which I believe is what ultimately led to my present state as a homemaker. By reviewing my prayer journal from the past year, I can see how God was preparing me and I can pinpoint some of the process.
In February of 2007, I began listening to a series by Nancy Leigh Demoss titled “The Counter Cultural Woman: A Fresh Look at Proverbs 31”. It ended up being a 27-day series. I remember being very anxious for the next days broadcast to be posted. It was so refreshing to me and I just longed even more to be the woman that God created me to be. On March 12, 2007 I wrote: Listening to the audio series by Nancy Leigh Demoss: “The Counter-Cultural Woman”, has really given me a better insight on how to be a virtuous woman. I realize that I fall so short of being the wife, daughter, sister, and friend that you created me to be. Please continue to strengthen me in the faith. Help me to gain the wisdom and techniques needed to be the helpmeet you created me to be to Tony. You have blessed me with such an amazing husband… This series left me with a great hunger for more. I would search for more sermons and resources that dealt with the biblical roles of man and woman. I listened to sermons by John Piper, Paul Washer, CJ Mahaney and his wife Carolyn. I also began reading some blogs that related to the subject.
August 13th, 2007 my prayer was as follows: Lord, I want to become a homemaker. It would be so cool if there were college classes to take that taught me the proper way to clean and manage our home; gave me tips on decorating. A class that taught me to cook nutritional meals and how to take care of my family’s health… A school for Christian homemakers; that would be so cool! Lord, you have all knowledge. You know how to train people in these attributes and tasks. Lord, I ask that you would please train me. Give me wisdom on how to become a keeper at home. Surround me with godly examples.
For my birthday in November, Tony gave me a copy of JR Miller’s book titled “Homemaking”. We were both expecting this book to be very informative on the topic of, well, homemaking. It did touch on this topic, however, it was focused more so on the roles of each member of the family. It was an excellent read and I highly recommend it! This book gave me a deep burden for my immediate family – that we would all be strengthened in the faith and would be drawn closer to one another.
December 28th, 2007: Please teach me to be a wife that lives according to your scripture. I thank you for protecting me from the feminist worldview. I see so many ladies that have been affected by that, and it really saddens me. Lord, continue to teach me about biblical womanhood. Give me the grace to obey your Word. And maybe one day, I will be able to minister to young girls and ladies on this topic. There are so many people that so desperately need to hear it. Lord, and I know that it is you that must open their eyes to this truth. I thank you for such ministries as “Revive our Hearts” and “Sovereign Grace”. You have used them in a mighty way to draw me closer to you. I will never be able to thank you enough. Continue to teach me good home keeping skills. May I be a wise steward of our time, resources, and money, for I will one day give an account before You. Please continue to deepen my love for my husband as each day passes! I thank you so much for creating Tony Denham to be one with me. It has been an incredible journey. Almost five years! That is amazing! May our love for each other be patient and kind. I thank you for keeping us on the same page biblically. You have opened our eyes to so much truth within the past few years. Lord, we ask that you will continue to remove any scales from our eyes. Put in us the desire to love you and seek after you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. May we continue to rejoice at the Truth.
In January of 2008, we purchased a DVD series by Vision Forum titled “Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families”. Through these ten seminars, Tony & I both learned about the importance of instilling in our children (as well as future generations) a biblical worldview of the family. It is hard for me to put into words, but it is a great series; so much more than some advice on how to start up a business; so much more than that! I know this increased our desire all the more for me to become a homemaker. During this month I prayed such things as: Lord, you have taught me so much of biblical womanhood, and there is much more to learn. I pray that you will reveal these things to my sister as well. And may you make us the bestest of friends with hearts that long to please you! … I thank you for leading me to such great resources…and for giving me a deep desire to learn of these things. Lord, I’ve read and listened to many sermons and articles about this topic – please give me wisdom in how to teach it to others. I’m not good with words, but I do want to see more ladies grasp onto these truths!! Please give me guidance. … I see the myspace pages of so many “Christian” girls and they are consumed with the worldly feminism view. They flaunt themselves and have such a warped view of what it means to be a Christian. Oh, it causes me to doubt the salvation of many. … Continue to lead me to good resources… May our home be used to bring glory to you… Help me to be a better manager of my time, our money, and our home.
Mid-February, we began to listen to Mark Driscoll’s series on manhood and womanhood. I would listen to them in my spare time and take notes, then I’d listen to them again with Tony. This series really increased our desire for me to become a homemaker. February 11th, 2008: Lord, I feel like you have led me to so many great resources… I desire for others to have understanding of this truth. Give me wisdom in how to be a mentor to others. February 28th: I do thank you ever so much for my prince charming – Tony Denham. I do love him oh so very much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! For a husband that strives to be a Proverbs 31 husband and strives to cultivate me to be a Proverbs 31 wife. Give us both wisdom…
This all escalated to this prayer on March 12th: I’m sitting here at work and I am so ready to go home. My heart is at home – that is where I desire to spend my days – as a joyful homemaker – Tony’s cheerful housewife! Lord, I know you are in control of all things and I know that everything will fall into place in your timing. With you, all things are possible – please make a way for me to be a stay at home wife. Give Tony & I wisdom & direction… Continue to teach us of Biblical womanhood & manhood, family life centered around You, nutrition & health, hospitality, keeping a neat & orderly home... May we be content with this season of life you have placed us now… May we be a patient people that waits upon you – O sovereign God. Even with my work hours – please teach me to be a better manager of our home - & keep my motives pure, may all I do bring glory & honor to your name – not my own! I was homesick!! March 25th, we were listening to Driscoll’s sermon titled “Saved by Childbearing” on our way to and from the gym. As we pulled in our driveway, Tony said, “It’s up to you – when you want to give your notice at the pickle company.” We decided the time is now for me to be a homemaker. We were both giggly about it – so very excited!!
In February of 2007, I began listening to a series by Nancy Leigh Demoss titled “The Counter Cultural Woman: A Fresh Look at Proverbs 31”. It ended up being a 27-day series. I remember being very anxious for the next days broadcast to be posted. It was so refreshing to me and I just longed even more to be the woman that God created me to be. On March 12, 2007 I wrote: Listening to the audio series by Nancy Leigh Demoss: “The Counter-Cultural Woman”, has really given me a better insight on how to be a virtuous woman. I realize that I fall so short of being the wife, daughter, sister, and friend that you created me to be. Please continue to strengthen me in the faith. Help me to gain the wisdom and techniques needed to be the helpmeet you created me to be to Tony. You have blessed me with such an amazing husband… This series left me with a great hunger for more. I would search for more sermons and resources that dealt with the biblical roles of man and woman. I listened to sermons by John Piper, Paul Washer, CJ Mahaney and his wife Carolyn. I also began reading some blogs that related to the subject.
August 13th, 2007 my prayer was as follows: Lord, I want to become a homemaker. It would be so cool if there were college classes to take that taught me the proper way to clean and manage our home; gave me tips on decorating. A class that taught me to cook nutritional meals and how to take care of my family’s health… A school for Christian homemakers; that would be so cool! Lord, you have all knowledge. You know how to train people in these attributes and tasks. Lord, I ask that you would please train me. Give me wisdom on how to become a keeper at home. Surround me with godly examples.
For my birthday in November, Tony gave me a copy of JR Miller’s book titled “Homemaking”. We were both expecting this book to be very informative on the topic of, well, homemaking. It did touch on this topic, however, it was focused more so on the roles of each member of the family. It was an excellent read and I highly recommend it! This book gave me a deep burden for my immediate family – that we would all be strengthened in the faith and would be drawn closer to one another.
December 28th, 2007: Please teach me to be a wife that lives according to your scripture. I thank you for protecting me from the feminist worldview. I see so many ladies that have been affected by that, and it really saddens me. Lord, continue to teach me about biblical womanhood. Give me the grace to obey your Word. And maybe one day, I will be able to minister to young girls and ladies on this topic. There are so many people that so desperately need to hear it. Lord, and I know that it is you that must open their eyes to this truth. I thank you for such ministries as “Revive our Hearts” and “Sovereign Grace”. You have used them in a mighty way to draw me closer to you. I will never be able to thank you enough. Continue to teach me good home keeping skills. May I be a wise steward of our time, resources, and money, for I will one day give an account before You. Please continue to deepen my love for my husband as each day passes! I thank you so much for creating Tony Denham to be one with me. It has been an incredible journey. Almost five years! That is amazing! May our love for each other be patient and kind. I thank you for keeping us on the same page biblically. You have opened our eyes to so much truth within the past few years. Lord, we ask that you will continue to remove any scales from our eyes. Put in us the desire to love you and seek after you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. May we continue to rejoice at the Truth.
In January of 2008, we purchased a DVD series by Vision Forum titled “Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families”. Through these ten seminars, Tony & I both learned about the importance of instilling in our children (as well as future generations) a biblical worldview of the family. It is hard for me to put into words, but it is a great series; so much more than some advice on how to start up a business; so much more than that! I know this increased our desire all the more for me to become a homemaker. During this month I prayed such things as: Lord, you have taught me so much of biblical womanhood, and there is much more to learn. I pray that you will reveal these things to my sister as well. And may you make us the bestest of friends with hearts that long to please you! … I thank you for leading me to such great resources…and for giving me a deep desire to learn of these things. Lord, I’ve read and listened to many sermons and articles about this topic – please give me wisdom in how to teach it to others. I’m not good with words, but I do want to see more ladies grasp onto these truths!! Please give me guidance. … I see the myspace pages of so many “Christian” girls and they are consumed with the worldly feminism view. They flaunt themselves and have such a warped view of what it means to be a Christian. Oh, it causes me to doubt the salvation of many. … Continue to lead me to good resources… May our home be used to bring glory to you… Help me to be a better manager of my time, our money, and our home.
Mid-February, we began to listen to Mark Driscoll’s series on manhood and womanhood. I would listen to them in my spare time and take notes, then I’d listen to them again with Tony. This series really increased our desire for me to become a homemaker. February 11th, 2008: Lord, I feel like you have led me to so many great resources… I desire for others to have understanding of this truth. Give me wisdom in how to be a mentor to others. February 28th: I do thank you ever so much for my prince charming – Tony Denham. I do love him oh so very much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! For a husband that strives to be a Proverbs 31 husband and strives to cultivate me to be a Proverbs 31 wife. Give us both wisdom…
This all escalated to this prayer on March 12th: I’m sitting here at work and I am so ready to go home. My heart is at home – that is where I desire to spend my days – as a joyful homemaker – Tony’s cheerful housewife! Lord, I know you are in control of all things and I know that everything will fall into place in your timing. With you, all things are possible – please make a way for me to be a stay at home wife. Give Tony & I wisdom & direction… Continue to teach us of Biblical womanhood & manhood, family life centered around You, nutrition & health, hospitality, keeping a neat & orderly home... May we be content with this season of life you have placed us now… May we be a patient people that waits upon you – O sovereign God. Even with my work hours – please teach me to be a better manager of our home - & keep my motives pure, may all I do bring glory & honor to your name – not my own! I was homesick!! March 25th, we were listening to Driscoll’s sermon titled “Saved by Childbearing” on our way to and from the gym. As we pulled in our driveway, Tony said, “It’s up to you – when you want to give your notice at the pickle company.” We decided the time is now for me to be a homemaker. We were both giggly about it – so very excited!!
Three days later I gave my notice at work. I wrote this e-mail to Tony right after I told my boss:
I did it and I am shaking like crazy right now. My nerves are just going wild. Haha. I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and (nervously) walked into Mike's office and said something along the lines of:"I have some news; I'm not sure how you'll take it. :) But Tony & I have been praying and we have decided that I am going to be a fulltime homemaker in the very near future... which means no more pickle company. (He laughed at that). I'm willing to stay for a little while to help train up somebody else, if that's what you want. I'm very excited about it, but I know that it will put a lot of stress on you, so I want to make the transition as easy as possible."Mike's just as calm and collected as ever and confirms my God given role as a wife. "You know, you are a great worker and we have really enjoyed you being here with us. And it does upset me to see you go. But on the other hand, I strongly believe that God has written His Word for us to take literally. And when you read the Bible literally, and obey it... it really goes against culture, but God will provide. That goes with our finances and everything. It is all written in there for our good; to protect us. I'm sure that you and your husband have sought the Lord in prayer about this. And this is especially good, since you two are really involved in ministry. So congratulations." -- That's just a paraphrase of what he said...I'm still shaking... haha. "Thank you!"We didn't talk about the time frame or anything along those lines. He said he would write it on his to-do list, as far as hiring someone else. He thanked me for the heads up. I'm just going to put the timing of it all in God's hand. If Mike come's back and says "two-weeks"... that is fine. If he say's "one month"... that is fine too. It will be God's perfect timing!!! Not too early, and not too late. Right on time!
What a confirmation!! That was a Friday. By Monday, they had a replacement all lined up and I began training her. I stayed for four weeks – with April 25th being my last day at work! This is my seventeenth week as Tony’s homemaker and I’m loving it! We are both reaping many benefits from it, and would not want it any other way. It is so neat to look back in my prayer journal and calendar to see how God has been preparing me for this season of our lives. I continue to listen to the above-mentioned speakers, and God continues to do a mighty work in my heart. I still wish there was a school for homemakers… there is sooo very much that I need to learn! ;)
1 comments:
Wonderful testimony Shayna of how God works in our lives, in all ways, for His glory when we look for His leading. Much Love!
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