We are blessed to be surrounded by productive, capable young women–women of the most astounding talents and gifts I’ve ever seen.
This has been a great inspiration to my daughters (and me) and I think the pursuit of production and industry is a lost aim in our day. Perhaps it is because we are such a culture of entertainment and amusement, but we the people of God should be “busy with our hands”, starting by teaching our young.
This productivity could take many forms…I think it mainly involves tapping into your daughter’s interests and gifts, exposing her to ideas and experience, and then enabling her to put into practice that which fits her design.
Just a few examples of the young ladies around us who stay busy and thrive in different areas:
- Music
- art (it’s all an art, really)
- sewing
- culinary skills
- specialized gardening (herbs, etc.)
- photography
- raising animals (for profit)…
- floral arranging (you should see the talent that blesses the decor of our church)
The list is really endless. And when I speak of “sewing or cooking”, one may think of simply preparing meals for the family or replacing a button–which is one of the most important uses. But some of these ladies have also turned their gifts into businesses making costumes or catering.
An interest in art could turn into a homemade card-making business.
And let me emphasize that while a business CAN spin out of these ideas, that’s NOT the main point of industry.
When we seek to develop productivity in the family, several benefits follow. Our own families are benefited (hardly a family has to purchase a gift when productivity is nurtured there besides other money-saving benefits), others are blessed–the ministry opportunities abound in a home where gifts and creativity is nurtured, and the community/church becomes stronger through sharing gifts. My husband and I aren’t nearly as worried about paying for 5 6 weddings as we once were.
By the way, you may think that if YOU aren’t skilled in many areas your daughter won’t be able to learn to be productive. Not true!
My daughter is becoming quite skilled in sewing–I can hardly sew at all! She has either taught herself (I provided the fabric and sewing machine), or asked another young lady to help teach her. She also plays the violin and I do not.
I would encourage you to look around; expose her to music and art when the opportunity arises. This doesn’t have to be an expensive symphony trip. Check your library for concerts and art displays; play CDs and DVDs of talented artists (I mentioned the Eden String Quartet being of great inspiration to my children); get together with other families you know who share a love of creativity and productivity.
As our daughters grow in the grace and beauty of the Lord, allowing Him to hone and use their gifts, our cornerstones become stronger, and the structures around us steadier.
Added:
Kim’s comment reminded me to encourage you to go to my friend, Kathy’s blog for practical resources to help you on your journey to being productive and creative! She is oozing with talent and has a passion for teaching other women.
Raising Cornerstone Daugthers, Strength Part 1
Raising Cornerstone Daugthers, Cheerfulness & Gratitude Part 2
Raising Cornerstone Daugthers, Honor Your Father Part 3
11 comments
One of the biggest misunderstandings about allowing our girls to stay home until they marry is the feat that they will be languishing around the house with nothing to do for years on end. Most people think that if young folks aren’t in school or employed in a career, they aren’t being productive, in my experience anyway…. have you found this to be true?
I appreciate you presenting the truth of the matter!
oops… i meant fear not “feat” *blush*
Kelly,
Speaking of hand made cards…
Check out the cards my very talented sister makes! 🙂 She hand writes them!
http://thebestnesst.blogspot.com/
My daughter who is 7, loves to draw. And she is pretty good at it. Me? I can barely draw a stick figure! 🙂 It will be fun to see her talents and interests develope!
Persuaded,
You’re so right…again, I think it has to do with a culture that is so over-entertained/amused,that we have forgotten to use our hands, and we’ve lost the interest to do so.
More common in our community is the woe that “I just don’t have enough time to get all the things done I’d like to!”
Which flows right into the discussion of the freedom that we have at home to pursue all those gifts and abilities that we might not otherwise find the time or energy to do. And how those pursuits can save/earn us enough money to be able to be home…it’s all connected 😉
I started earning money at 11 years old as an actress. Yes, I went on to study this in college, but my point is, I had never taken an acting class when I began doing what I loved. Now, my career is on hold a bit while I employ my talents at home–my friends tell me I read stories better than any other mom they know 🙂 I feel blessed to be able to bless my children with my talents, regardless of how much money I earn or if I took lots of classes. Oh, and neither of my parents have a lick of acting talent… I learned it all on my own, from experience!
~Bethany
Ooh, Kelly, like your new profile photo!
I recommend the book The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer. She could have used a good editor, but explores wonderful themes, even using acting ability to delight a family, making literature come to life! 😉 Bethany, have you heard of the Gutenberg Project? You can record your favorite copywrite-free stories to upload there, if you care to share… 🙂
Lori- I have heard of the Gutenberg project, but I didn’t know they did anything other than text… I will have to look into that 🙂
~Bethany
Thank you for these wonderful and encouraging thoughts for our daughters….like you, I see homemaking as an art (when the goal is excellence, not the false idol of perfectionism). The ability to create a welcoming, hospitible, industrious environment is as valuable as any secondary education. Homemaking skills (for girls and boys) are the foundation for applying virtually all academic skills. It’s so much more than chores – time management, money skills, organization, ability to relate concepts to others, problem solving, follow-thru – all things it seems so many young people are lacking. I can sense they’re suffering – who doesn’t want to feel some level of competence at living life?
I share your view that God has a very high calling for women that we seem to be missing. Of course women can be drs and lawyers – guess what, anyone can. I’m great at my profession, and I struggle daily with the issue of worldly fulfillment now that I’m “just a mom”. As our family journey leads us to me being at home (never worked harder in my life, love it), homeschooling our 3 children, I feel I’m learning backwards. How much easier I hope to make it for my daughters to see how liberating life in a Godly home truly is.
Yes and it’s nice that you have friends like Kathy@TeachingGoodThings to help you with that home-making stuff too.
Anyone who hasn’t been over there needs to check out her site. (all kinds of home-making helps!)
I have used her tutorials to help me (since I haven’t ever had a clue about sewing!) and have had some good results!
Ditto Kim’s advice…Kathy, my dear, dear friend is brimming over with talent! And she loves helping teach others about using their hands! (By the way, look at her post here http://teachinggoodthings.com/blog/blog/
about one way to use our creativity to bless others less fortunate…