The Benefits of Sewing

Opps! doesn't sound very spiritual, does it? Well, if the WORD had not introduced this topic, I would not write about it here. But we are talking about the practical aspects of homemaking. While we are doing so let us never forget that homemaking is a ministry God intended for females to engage in for the satisfaction of the husband and the propagation of the human race. A wife must provide a place where children can be nurtured to grow into productive human beings, hoping they will choose to serve the LORD when God calls them. While doing so there are specific tasks allocated to a wife that she is responsible for in the ongoing work of being a wife and mother and providing clothing is one of them. So, let us take another look at sewing for the family, the home.

Sewing for the family is not a salvation issue but a godly woman will want to clothe her family decently and modestly - the NT teaches us that we should dress modestly. In doing so we will want to teach our children to dress likewise.

Dressing modestly is at its core at odds with the world that works to destroy moral purity via sensual dress. How I dress reflects what is in my heart - you cannot separate the two - "out of the heart the mouth speaketh"; our works demonstrate to others what abides, rules in the heart. Modest dress will not save you any more then your cat can, but modest dress does tell the world what you are thinking about them and yourself. If you do not want to be considered a slut you will not dress like one. If you are a saint, you will dress like one. (And what does a saint dress like? How about letting the Holy Spirit lead you?)

Evelyn Miller, from "Lilies of the Field" - a business that sews modest clothing for girls and women - told us how they get mailings from the fashion industry informing professional sewers about upcoming designs in the clothing industry. She told us how they are all geared to being sexy, designed to entice lust. Then it behooves one to think differently, wondering how one can stand up to this onslaught of immodest designs in clothing. I would have to say Evelyn and her daughters dress beautifully - when I first saw her, I thought how queenly! How regal! Expensive? No, not if you make it. It was all in the design and creative use of fabrics. And, this, sisters, is what we are called to do: to be a counter-culture in a world that is rushing head long towards hell.

I have visited forums on the web for years. I read the posts of moms who are very concerned about dressing their daughters modestly. The main problem they have is that they cannot buy anything modest and that they cannot sew! So, please help! I have one question: if you are not willing to buy a sewing machine and learn to sew, how on earth will your daughter ever learn? She won't. She will be at the mercy of the prevailing fashion industry whose goal is to entice females to dress seductively. Since this is the case, I would urge you to go buy a sewing machine at a dealer - they will have machines in about any price range - and learn to sew. Many sewing machine shops will give you basic lessons in how to operate your machine. If you want lessons in learning how to sew clothes they should be able to point you to a place that does. If this is not available locally, there is the web - there are tutorials, websites that will answer any questions you may have.

Dressing your family modestly, teaching your children to do likewise is the driving motive to sew. But there are other reasons to learn to sew. Proverbs 31 teaches us how a wife can parlay this skill into a commercial business. While this usually is not an option when children are small, it is one that can be done later. There are many ladies who earn extra money sewing for the public. Some do it by sewing clothing, others by piecing quilts, quilting (I have two friends who do it professionally, entering their works into regional competitions - and they are winning awards - one such lady posts here on SI), or by sewing/embroidering whatever is in demand. All of these works can be done from the home with a minimum of investment.

(In case you are wondering, do I sew for the public? No. I sew for my family, home, and make dresses for girls that I give away. I do not have the mental stamina to do custom sewing for ladies. They are so particular, hard to please and I cannot handle that well. They expect top notch jobs but are not willing to pay for it. Gets frustrating. But maybe someday I will - my husband thinks I can and should.)

There is one more aspect to sewing that one should mention. Scripture does not mention it but I am sure the LORD knew all about it when he encouraged wives to make coverings of tapestry (v.22) - I interpret this as including quilts. There is something that happens to the mind of a woman who is creating a thing of beauty. It is so richly satisfying. It calms, it pleases the emotions and you are being productive in the process. When mama is happy, experiencing first hand the delight of the work of her hands and mind, she is just a happier person. I love to be around sewing enthusiasts: they are such happy people! Not all are, but most are. They are willing to share ideas on how to improve a project or whatever you are working on. It is a constantly evolving skill.

God knew what the fringe benefits are for a wife who is engaged in this skill - it is no happenstance. God is so wise in what he encourages ladies to do in homemaking...

(EDITED)

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Sandra Miller

Proverbs 31:14-16 NASB
14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.


Not only does a godly woman assure that her family is well dressed, she also is diligent in providing food for her household which will/may include employees.

She is knowledgeable about food that will enhance their diet in that she will look beyond their borders for food stuffs. I am not sure if the ships back then were bringing in food items like meats, veggies or fruits but they did bring in spices which were sought out by by skilled chefs/cooks. Since this was the case, she is concerned that the food prepared for her household is tasty.

The wife is one who adheres to a schedule, she stays on top of things be it day or night. Feeding her family is of utmost importance. She makes sure her family is well fed upon rising before they begin their day. Not only is she concerned about her family she cares for any maids she has working for her.

The wife makes wise investment[s]. She will work to assure that she has a plot of ground where she can grow foodstuffs for her family. Whether this term vineyard literally means vineyard or whether it is a generic term that includes an orchard and a garden, I am not sure but think it means the latter. In any case, to plant a 'vineyard' requires a lot of planning, knowledge about growing plants, diligence in caring for the plants, weeding, harvesting and preserving. She is not idle, is not scared to work with her hands, arms - they become strong with much usage. (v.17: She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.) Doing so will assure her family will have food when the snow flies because she thought ahead; worked when the growing, harvesting season was upon them.

Lots of hard work, gardening, that is. And...surprise! she cannot do it all by herself, either. The solution is to rope in her children and assign tasks for them to perform - this gardening is a family project that all must participate in for the welfare of all involved. Not only will the family benefit by having food to eat, they will learn the value of work. And...work will make them so tired they will not have the energy to get involved in destructive, rebellious play. They will have learned to respect what they have because it took a lot of hard work to get it and won't be of a mind to destroy it or being careless with it.

When our children were at home, we put them to work in gardening. One of our the boys recalled reading how the Indians taught the pilgrims to fertilize corn: plant a fish then plant a seed on top. He got the brilliant idea to do likewise. He went to an old farm pond behind our place and got a bucket of fish and did just that. Hey! It worked. When crops were harvested I put them to work. The time came when I could buy sweet corn in the husk easier then I could raise it. We would go pick ten bushels of it and go home, husk it, and I would blanch it and freeze it. So, who husked the corn? They did. They got tired of it, but they survived. Today, these boys, now men, are excellent cooks. One of them is into studying garden catalogs and buying all kinds of fruit trees, vines, planting them for food. It did not hurt them - they may have thought it would kill them, but they survived. And..they...learned.

Mom, if God gave you children, the best way to teach them life skills is to get them involved in your work, working alongside you. They live there and they have to learn that if you do not work you do not eat, either. More life skills are taught in the course of working together then it is by sitting down and lecturing them.

God bless.

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Sandra Miller

Proverbs 31:20: NASB: She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

I find it insightful to the few words used to address this issue of helping the poor. I speculate why this is so and conclude there likely is a very reason for this.

Females by their very nature are endowed by their creator, God, with a nurturing mindset so it goes without saying that the WORD does not have to urge women to share with the poor.

As I look at this issue I see much value in the sharing of goods on a personal level. Jesus referred to this principle when he said one is not to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. Embedded in this principle are a few truths that escape a casual reader.

Sharing on a personal level will work to protect the dignity of the receiver. Some people are deeply embarrassed to be on the receiving end of gifts.

Sharing on the personal level will work to prevent an entitlement mentality on the part of the recipient because the wife has limitations as to goods and time that can be devoted to philanthropy.

Broadcasting your generosity will invite pride; "Look! See what I did! - See! how rich I am and what I can do!" Jesus says these people have received their reward and thus will not be acknowledged in heaven. Opps! So, how does one share Jesus way? Privately and quietly. And this is what mothers and wives can do.

As I look at our society and have witnessed first hand how charity has gone off the rails it becomes challenging how one can share lest one makes life for the prodigal comfortable. Or, should this not be our concern? As a woman this troubles me. Then there is the brother or sister who really does need our help and as children of the KING we do share.

May I suggest that we ask the LORD to bring people across our path who he wants us to bless? I think so. Doing so will bring greater blessing to the giver that anything else you can imagine. Try it and see what happens!

EDITED for clarity

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Sandra Miller

Ginny,

We are having a youth retreat at my church. The boys and the girls are going to be divided up and I have been partnered with the youth minister to come up with the curriculum. May I use some of the information you posted to help develop the curriculum for the girls?

--Nate

Nate,

Use any, all you want, however you want. I do not own it. All I care about is that people would be drawn closer to the LORD.

I suppose you noticed that I used Titus 2:4,5 as my main guideline for the topics discussed. Makes it easier when you have an outline to keep some semblance of order.

I find your interest in composing your own curriculum interesting. I tend to do likewise - too many times when I am offered one and told to use it, I feel real irritation in my spirit. At one time I had hoped to compile one for children's Sunday School - going through the Bible on a four (?) year cycle. But after thinking about it, gave it up - too much work and would need the cooperation of a lot of others. As I see it, too many compilers have no clue how to teach children. My irritation reach its zenth when one years quarter was totally doctrine! Hello! In teaching children you tell a story and in the telling of it you teach doctrine. Unless the child - and most adults - have a story that will illustrate the doctrinal point, it will be lost on the student. Enough of my rant.

Maybe once you get your curriculum written, mind sending me a copy? I am not demanding it, but am interested. But do keep me posted. My email addy is listed in my profile.

God bless.

ginnyrose

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Sandra Miller

Thank you! Once we are done I will send you a copy.

As I am getting to the close to finishing up this thread - who knows? it may go longer then I expect, I tend to be long winded but am working on this liability - other related subjects come to mind that I never addressed or not in depth as I should have. What alerts me to this omission is usually something I read elsewhere or more likely it is the Holy Spirit reminding me. I will be posting these topics here and hope to print the title in the subject box.

ginnyrose

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Sandra Miller

I found this blog the other day and was impressed. I considered the writer to be right on target so I emailed him asking permission to use it here on this thread. Permission was graciously granted with the only stipulation that I credit the writer.

I know very little about Mr. Challis other then what he wrote here.

ginnyrose

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6 Deadly Enemies of Marriage by Tim Challis

Marriage is under attack. Marriage has always been under attack. The world, the flesh and the devil are all adamantly opposed to marriage, and especially to marriages that are distinctly Christian. Marriage, after all, is given by God to strengthen his people and to glorify himself; little wonder, then, that it is constantly a great battleground.

I have been thinking recently about some of the foremost foes of Christian marriage and, really, the foremost foes I see creeping up to assault my own marriage. Here are 6 deadly enemies of marriage, and Christian marriage in particular.

NEGLECT OF FOUNDATION

The enemy of marriage that deserves to be at the very top of the list is this one: neglecting the foundation—neglecting the biblical foundation. The Bible makes it clear that marriage is an institution decreed by God and an institution meant to glorify God by displaying something about him. The great mystery of marriage is that the covenantal relationship of husband and wife is a portrait of the covenantal relationship of Christ and his church. Marriage is from God, about God, to God, and for God, so we neglect God at our peril. It is only when the biblical foundation is in place that we are able to rightly understand how a husband and wife are to relate, how they are to take up their separate roles, and how they are to seek to bring glory to God both individually and as a couple. To build marriage on any other foundation is to neglect the rock in favor of building upon the sand.

NEGLECT OF PRAYER

Prayer is our lifeline, the means through which we praise God, express our gratitude, confess our sin, and plead for help. The couple that prays together is confessing before God that they are dependent upon him, that they are unable to thrive without him. Private prayer is essential to the Christian life, and prayer as a couple is essential to the Christian marriage. Here, kneeling at the bedside or sitting by the fire, the husband and the wife meet with the Lord together, praising him for his goodness and grace, confessing their sin against him and against one another, and pleading for his wisdom and help. When prayer ceases, the couple is tacitly proclaiming that they can survive and thrive on their own, that they do not need God’s ongoing, moment-by-moment assistance. Prayerlessness is a great foe of marriage.

NEGLECT OF FELLOWSHIP

Another great enemy of marriage is a lack of fellowship—local church fellowship. Satan loves it when he can compel an individual to withdraw from the church; how much better when he can draw away a couple or a whole family. When a married couple leaves the church, or even pulls back to just doing the bare minimum, they are leaving the place where they are meant to see healthy marriage modeled, where they are able to worship together side-by-side, where they will find friends before whom they can open up their marriage so others can see and diagnose their struggles. Marriage thrives in the context of the local church and withers outside it.


NEGLECT OF COMMUNICATION

Just as Satan wants a couple to stop communicating with God through prayer, he also wants that couple to stop communicating with one another. Free, open and regular communication is key to any relationship, none more so than marriage. When a couple is able and willing to communicate, they are able to admit and work through the difficulties, they are able to share both the joys and the sorrows that are inevitable in a life lived together. Too many couples stop communicating, or perhaps they never learn. Instead of working through issues, they allow them to remain, to fester, and to become toxic. Communication is key to a healthy marriage, and lack of communication is a perilous foe.

NEGLECT OF SHARED INTERESTS

When a couple is dating it is rare for them to find they have nothing in common, that they have few shared interests. But as time goes on, as they become husband and wife and settle into normal life, they can so easily fall into their separate routines. Now they live alone together, two people carrying on their separate lives under the same roof. Shared interests motivate shared time, shared conversation, shared passion. It can be a hobby, it can be an activity, it can even be a television show, but it ought to be something. The neglect of shared interests is a great enemy to a healthy marriage.


NEGLECT OF SEX

God was good to provide that strange and mysterious gift of sex in order to bind a husband and wife together in a unique way. Sex is the superglue of a healthy marriage, and yet most couples are never far from neglecting it or from replacing it with pornography or something, anything else. The Bible demands that a husband and wife maintain the sexual relationship in all but the narrowest of circumstances—with mutual agreement, for a short time, in order to concentrate on prayer. There are inevitable times when nothing seems more difficult than pursuing the sexual relationship and nothing seems easier than neglecting it, but to neglect sex is to directly disobey God. To neglect sex is to disregard one of God’s great and indispensable gifts.

If Satan cannot destroy a marriage, he will at least determine to weaken it. To neglect any of these 6 things is to invite his presence and to welcome his influence.

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Tweets:
Marriage is from God, about God, to God, and for God, so we neglect God at our peril.

Private prayer is essential to the Christian life, and prayer as a couple is essential to the Christian marriage.

Shared interests motivate shared time, shared conversation, shared passion.



http://www.challies.com/christian-living/6-deadly-enemies-of-marriage

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Sandra Miller

Proverbs 31:23-29 NASB

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells [them], And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband [also], and he praises her, [saying]:

29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

We have looked at this chapter, studied it and took lessons what a woman does that will earn her the distinction of being virtuous.

A woman whose value exceeds that of rubies is resourceful; she is industrious; she is not afraid to work with her hands; she guides her household well; she is an investor; she is always alert to the needs of her household and works to meets those needs, thinking ahead having the supplies on hand when they are needed. In the end, what benefits does she experience?

1. Her husband is freed from the responsibility of doing the household work so he can be among the wise men and learn what he needs to learn in his work. (v.23) He is liberated to pursue his work of providing whatever the family needs. While it appears as though the wife is doing it all, she isn't - she is just working to maintain a household that is running smoothly so the home can be a peaceable place to live.

2. She does not worry about the future because she has made preparation to accommodate it. She feels secure in her work - secure to the point were she carries the look of strength and dignity.v.25

3. She readily teaches any who want to learn and she does it with kindness. Experience will teach one what works and what does not. This info she will readily pass along to help others in their work. In it all she is kind, patient.

4. Her husband and children praise her. They are proud of her. And say it, are generous with their praise. They do not feel threatened by having a wife and mom who does well. They are grateful and say so. Wonder how many husbands and children thank their wives, their moms what she does for them? Some men are so egotistical they would choke before praising their wife - and perhaps that is why there is conflict between them - she does not experience any appreciation from the ones she works to serve. Opps! I digressed...

5. A word to the husband, children: (v31)"Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates." Don't stand in the way of her enjoying the benefits of her work. If she earned it, let her keep it! Do not downplay her work! Be proud of her! If someone praises her, don't get jealous and enumerate her faults...a woman who experiences praise from her family will work harder then ever - it energizes her!

And the bottom line is that "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." v.30

EDITED

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Sandra Miller

I cannot write about godly homemaking without addressing this issue. I know I speaking to the choir, most of you are god-fearing people and married. So what is the issue? If you are married and have children, they will have to deal with this issue and how can a parent protect their child from the onslaught of perversion that permeates society?

(By way of introduction, let me tell you I have worked as a volunteer counselor at a Crises Pregnancy Center for fifteen years. In the course of our work we were required to do chastity/abstinence counseling. I have a driving passion for this issue as you shall see.)

When I was growing up (b. 1947 - do your math!) I kept hearing from my elders that fornication is SIN and that engaging in it will undermine marriage stability. We were also told that marriage is no cure for fornication - that if you indulge before you are married you will continue to do so after. As I have aged I had the opportunity to observe a lot of changes in society, including that what is common among church people. And...I have learned the old people were right on.

When I was a teen the youth were taught how one should behave when on a date. Now dating back then was when a fellow asked a girl to go with him to some event, like church, youth activity or some other fun thing. Often it was in the context with others but not always. When alone it was a time of visiting. These times may be spent in playing games, and such like. We were warned often how we are to keep hands off each other! No necking, no kissing, no petting - this is reserved for marrieds. These principles were taught at youth meetings, from the pulpit for all to hear, be they child or grandparents. We were warned. So then our conscience was educated quite well with guilt that was sure to flare up when violated. As a result I know of no single girl in my wide range of acquaintances who had a baby out of wedlock back then. None, although there were a few 'shot gun' weddings, I mean a few. Back then.

When I worked at CPC I have come to deeply appreciate my upbringing. I felt truly sorry for my clients. Yet. Yet they were not ignorant of morals - they were taught to not fornicate, but why did they do it still? I do not recall of having any clients (except for one who appeared to be mentally deficient) who did not know that fornication is sin. My clients were black, white, Hispanic from any and all kinds of churches except for Morman. What the difference?

As one looks over the churched landscape one sees marriages ending in divorce with no guilt or apology. Oh, sure, some will raise the alarm, but it has no impact upon the populace. We see people in churches who are divorced, remarried, singles living together without 'benefit of clergy' accepted all in the name of forgiveness, tolerance, and being non-judgmental. "We got to allow them in so they can hear the gospel and hope they will get saved" - so goes the philosophy. So, the good natured people will work to make them comfortable, get them to participle in church activities, show them a good time. Fine social club to belong to! Got enough religion to make you feel good but not enough to effect any changes beyond some behavior modification.

The church in their eagerness tolerates immodesty in the pews - all in the name of accommodating the sinner, but being oblivious to the damage this incurs in the hearts and minds of the males, be they young or married.

Churches may teach how one should be modest but there are no guidelines given to teach people what modesty looks like. All the young know is they do not want to look like a grandma! So when fashions dictate the hemlines to go up, so do the church girls. When necklines plummet, so do the church girls'. If fashion dictates skin-tight clothes, so do the church girls'. There will always be those in the church that will follow the latest fashion trends and in the name of forbearance it is tolerated.

Prom time comes and your darling teens do not want to be left out so mom and dad work to buy them the latest prom dress and the guys get their tuxedos for a night of fun - and mom and dad will yet go rent a room at the motel to bring all this fun to a climax.

Then in another month or two girls are weeping because they are missing their period. So, mom will carry her off to the abortionist who may happen to be a well respected civic leader and church member. Or, maybe not. In any case it really doesn't matter to the client.

This abortion was horrible, but she recovers quite easily because after all it was just a surgical procedure. Hey! It cost only a few hundred dollars. Girls resume her education career and there will be more intimacies shared with fellows who speak sweet nothings, urging her to demonstrate to him how much she loves him by allowing him access to the most private parts of her body. Another abortion, maybe. Or, maybe she has regrets for the first one and decides to keep her baby. Now life assumes a different pattern. Who is going to pay for the hospital expenses? Just go to the Depart. of Human Services and they will help you pay. So her medical bill is paid for thanks to the generosity of the American taxpayer.

Now here is little junior or Susie with no daddy. And mama is working hard or maybe she cares not to work but lives instead with her mama and daddy - who pay her bills. So off to the CPC she goes - they have clothes - maybe they will help me.

More later...

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Sandra Miller