Cooking and cleaning, an attitude worth changing.

A few years ago, I was so against the idea of a woman cooking and cleaning for her family. I hated the expectation that when a man came home, he needed to be cared for, looked after. It was never my intention or dream to stay at home and look after the kids and house while my husband went out to work all day. Not because I needed a job or wanted to work all the time, but because I wanted to break the mould of what woman should be. I think especially in Christian circles, the idea of submission and the role of woman has become so warped and messed up.

Little did I know… God was going to flip my ideas and perceptions around, and now I want to change those warped ideas.

The past few months have been an amazing transformation for me. Woman in Mozambique are expected to work and serve all the time. It is their responsibility to cook food, look after the children and serve their husbands and any other male figures around them. When I moved here I decided that I needed to embrace all that comes with Mozambique. And so began my journey of submission, service and housework. J

A few months down the line I could not imagine anything else. One of my favourite things to do is cook a good meal for my little family. Keeping the house clean is hard work, but I have been amazed at the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with the finished product. Sure, my boys cook meals, Ian is awesome and cooks dinner too. Some days I am too exhausted to clean our huge house but the point is my heart has changed. My attitude towards all these task has completely changed. Its awesome!

I find it the greatest joy and privilege to be able to serve my family in this way. It’s a gift that I can give to them. This is my role and responsibility. I really believe that part of my calling and plan in Mozambique is to serve and care for my family. The one I have now, and the one I will have one day.

Pope John Paul II says this about family,

“To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.”

I think this has become such a reality to me over the past few months. As we serve and love each other, we find joy.

So grateful for finding this new love and passion for being a “home maker”, for serving my family and in general being a bit of a mom.