Why I've Chosen to Have a Heart for Home

I've been receiving a lot of questions lately as to why I am a "stay at home daughter", and what all that entails. I've done my best to explain the reasons behind my decisions, and I've tried to answer a few questions that you may have.


Through the years, Marxism, feminism, evolutionism and individualism have all played an important role in dividing the family and forming broken homes. We know from scripture that the devil manipulates through the weaker vessel (Genesis 3:1-6, 1 Peter 3:7). We also know the importance God places on the structure of the family and His function and use for it. So what better plan for destroying the church than to destroy the family, the foundation of the church? As a church, we've convinced ourselves that we're not involved in any of these terrible things: but we've become deceptively entrenched in them; living out their effects in our day to day lives.

Karl Marx was fueled by a strong hatred for God and anything His word taught. "Perhaps his most ingenious and successful move in tearing down Christendom was to inspire women to tear down their homes and families with their own hands" (So Much More, by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin). Part of his design was to create state run schools, so that mothers would then join the work force and effectively be taken out of the sphere of home. The result created confusion and diversion from the biblical structure of marriage and the family. Adolf Hitler also understood how to go about achieving his goal (to implement a new world order). He understood that the direction of the nation would be determined by the ideology of the younger generation. In other words, he understood that the way to accomplish this goal was in manipulating the minds of the youth.

So why am I delving into all of this history? Because something that the Lord designed and values is being forgotten, even despised, by Christendom. It is not my place to go out and change the world; but I can make a difference by living out the biblical structure in my own life. I cannot fix damage done by Karl Marx, Margaret Sanger, Charles Darwin, and many others; but I can fight against their attacks on Christ by uncovering the lies they taught and living contrary to their teaching. In doing so, I am playing a part in changing the direction our culture is going. The best way to do that..by living out the teachings of the Bible.

Those teachings are:

Proverbs 31:10-30. What better place to learn to be a Proverbs 31 woman than in my home and under the teaching of my mother?

Titus 2:3-5. "...and so train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled".
That is a scary thought: to revile (abuse) the word of God. I don't think that any woman could prepare long enough to perfectly execute this list. But it is my duty to aim to follow this standard that God has set. What better way to prepare to love my husband and children than to practice Colossians 3 inside my home, with those I'm most comfortable with and find it most hard to deny myself to! And what better way to practice being a keeper at home than to learn the ins and outs from my mother, who has wells of wisdom on the subject! And who could think of a better way to prepare to submit to a husband, whether he's right or wrong, than to practice in a daughters relationship to her father?

Psalms 147:12 "May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace."


Here are some answers to questions/concerns people have had about me being at home:

1) Is your dad becoming a hyper-patriarchal father?
My dad is as far from that title as is humanly possible! My father has been given responsibility before God to protect me and lead me in the word (Numbers 30:2-5, Ephesians 5:23-27, Ephesians 6:4). Because he steps up to this job does not make him a tyrant. The role I practice with my father preceeds the role I will take in marriage, while also teaching me to respect and obey Christ.

2) Aren't you lazy/negligent for not providing for yourself?
Never in scripture are women given the responsibility to provide for their families. This is a job given specifically to men; to the extent that if they fail in this responsibility, they are worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:8).

3) But aren't you losing your identity by staying at home under the obedience of your parents? Aren't you allowed to make this decision for yourself?
This decision has been completely mine. My parents are very gracious and have encouraged and guided me, but never through guilt or force! And as to the other question, I can think of no better way to answer than through the Word. Luke 9:23-24, Philippians 2:5-7, and Ephesians 6:1:"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." We all know this verse and probably assume it applies only to young children. But I am still my parents child; no matter my age. It is my duty to honor and obey them. Now when I'm married, Lord willing, the authority role will be transferred from my parents to my husband. I will honor and obey my husband, while still respecting my parents. But their role will be different in the event of my marriage.

4) But you're almost twenty-three! Shouldn't you form some sort of independence?
This belief is strictly from the world and not a biblical idea at all! The structure laid out in the Bible is that a woman is under her father's protection and serves/learns inside her home, discipled by her parents, until she is married. That role of protection is then passed to the husband. There is never a time that women are supposed to be without a headship to protect and lead them. So the idea that a girl should go out into the world and gain independence once she's 18 is simply a pagan idea.

5) So basically you've decided to sit at home and not further your education?
There could be nothing further from the truth! I have the opportunity to study any subject I feel lacking in, for as long as is required. Just because I'm not taught by "certified" teachers, doesn't mean I'm not learning. "We are addicted to schooling, and ignorant of education" (Voddie Baucham).

6) Isn't it old-fashioned? After all, this is the Twenty-first century.
Yes, this is the twenty-first century. But God's word still stands as the outline we should live our lives by. Culture should not influence our obedience to God. If God's word is considered old-fashioned, then consider me a puritan dinosaur!

7) How can God use you to increase His kingdom if you're hiding within the realms of your home?
This objection is raised from the belief that God's kingdom is increased only through tracts, witnessing to unbelievers, or being involved in some kind of church ministry.
I have the opportunity to disciple my five younger siblings every day. I have been given the opportunity to help teach them God's word and pray for them daily that they would grow in the knowledge of our Lord. It may not seem like much of a Kingdom building time; but imagine when my younger siblings have their own families and, Lord willing, raise up a godly seed. Imagine the influence my time with them now could have on the generations to come. Praise God that I've been given such a great responsibility! I only pray they will learn to love and fear the Lord through my example: be it bad or good. In being a stay at home daughter I have also been given the opportunity with my family to practice hospitality, which is one of the best ways to advance the Kingdom of God! Which brings me to the next question:

8) Doesn't your view of the family hinder you from being involved in any kind of ministry/ mission work?
This objection also comes from a misunderstanding of what ministry truly us. I can't count the number of times my family has opened its doors and ministered to believers, unbelievers, individuals, families, just around the dinner table. If we produce strong families and show hospitality as we're commanded, imagine the doors of ministry that could be opened! My view of the family provides opportunities to minister. Another reason this question comes up is because we as Christians don't value the role of motherhood and homemaking. We consider it to be more effective to be individual missionaries instead of keeping a home and raising up warriors for Christ. I have seen first hand a lot of missionaries sacrificing their families for the sake of the ministry.

9) How will you experience Christ if you don't go to school to learn about Him?
And this question comes from the mentality that in order to fully experience Christ and learn about God, you must study under a theological professor. A man doesn't have to go to seminary to understand God and His word. My father is a perfect example of this. He has never spent a day studying under a theological professor, and yet he is one of the wisest men I know! I have my own teacher of the Word inside these four walls: My father! And as far as experiencing Christ, it goes much deeper than a mere feeling of the Holy Spirit's presence. It is the day to day trials and suffering molding us into His image and sanctifying us daily in His word.


Now I realize that what I have said is extremely controversial and radical.
I realize that it is not my place to say what any other individual or family should do, nor is it my place to judge others for taking a different path than myself. But I must personally live according to my conscience and the conclusions I've come to.
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17).


I hope this has answered questions and given everyone a better understanding of why I've chosen to have a heart for home. If any of you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. I'll try my best to answer them!

More Pictures of Anna Verity

Ahh!...The third post I've done in the course of one week. This is quite the record for me!

I'm staying the week with my sister, Christie, to help her while she recovers. Although she's doing wonderfully and probably doesn't really need my help now, we like to take advantage of every opportunity. I'm sure I'll feel more helpful towards the end of the week when we get the three little ones back; but for now Christie and I will enjoy our quiet time together with baby Anna.

We've been having so much fun taking pictures of this precious girl! Here are some of my favorites from today...

The Arrival of a Little Blessing

We are so excited and blessed that Anna Verity Weathers arrived safely today. She weighs a whole 7lbs 3oz, and she's 20 inches long. The birth went very well, and Christie is doing wonderfully.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. The Lord has blessed us, and we are so thankful!

Patiently waiting

Anna Verity (gracious truth)

A Radiant Legacy

Yesterday marked the birthday of someone very special to my family, my grandmother, Jeananne Johnson. The word that always comes to mind when I think of her is radiant (beaming with brightness; emitting a vivid light or splendor; as the radiant sun)!

She joyfully reflects the love of Christ and I experience His love through her sweet fellowship. One of my favorite places to be is in her living room, with a cup of her delicious coffee in one hand and an old photo album of her and my grandfather in the other. I'll flip through its pages while she recounts intriguing stories from the past.

My grandparents would always strive, and definitely succeeded, in making our moments with them memorable and blessed. My sisters and I have such sweet memories of being young and waking to the sound of Mema's humming in the kitchen and the aroma of coffee and pancakes.

Mema and Papa with little Rosie

As easy as it may be for me to think she was, I know my mema wasn't just born a radiant person. She allowed the Lord to use the hardships throughout her life to mold her into the precious person we know and love.

The stories we've heard her tell time and again are the wonderful memories of her four boys growing up; the blessed marriage she shared with her sweetheart, Roger Johnson; and the extraordinary experiences of serving in the Philippines. Even though there are many hardships to share from her past, she always focuses on the blessings; sharing the more somber stories only when asked, and the stories are never told with resentment.

When I recount the trials and losses she has experienced over the course of her life (losing her father at a young age, experiencing the death of two sons and her husband), I stand in amazement at the sweet and gentle person she is today. It is a lesson I hope to remember throughout my life...to trust in my Savior and allow the affliction He brings to direct me to Him and turn me into the person He created me to be.

I could not speak my grandmother's praise enough! I am so thankful for the example she has laid out for all of her family. It is my prayer, Lord willing, to carry on her legacy to my grandchildren.

Thank you, dearest Mema, for all you have done and are doing to impact those around you! You are truly amazing and I thank the Lord for you daily!

"O Praise Him"

"Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness, tremble before him, all the earth!"

Psalm 96:9

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!"

Psalm 95:6

"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

Psalm 95:1-2

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

John 4:23-24

"Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

Revelation 15:3-4

I found this music video both inspiring and convicting!
We're created to worship and enjoy our Maker. So what hinders us from worshiping when we feel led?...Our fear of man?! Ouch!

What a precious experience we forfeit because our focus is on the creation and not the Creator.

Black Forest Cheesecake...Easy!

This cheesecake is an extremely easy one to make! It's a Taste of Home recipe that doesn't require baking and doesn't have to be refrigerated over night. This is a great dessert for those dinners that you want something yummy and presentable, but don't have the energy to spend a lot of time on.

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 chocolate crumb crust (8 inches)

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping. Spread half of the mixture evenly into crust. Fold cocoa and confectioner's sugar into remaining whipped topping mixture; carefully spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Cut into slices; top each slice with cherry pie filling. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

My Alterations...

Because my family members aren't keen on cherries, we substitute strawberry pie filling for the cherry. I've also put miniature chocolate chips inside the chocolate layer; in our household you can't get too much chocolate.

Enjoy!

Satisfied In Christ

Over the last month or so the Lord's been pressing on my heart three different lessons that I'm learning to apply. It has seemed as if every sermon, conversation, devotion, and prayer has drawn my attention back to these three important truths...

1) Continually seek the Lord and His presence (2 Chronicles 16:11),

2) Find your satisfaction in Christ alone (Psalm 17:15,"God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him" -John Piper)

3) Strive to glorify God in your thoughts, motives, actions, and words (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Lord has brought the above quote by John Piper to my mind many times over the last month. There's so much joy in grasping the wisdom in this truth. My fulfilment and satisfaction isn't found in friendships, physical perfection, marriage, successful endeavors, etc... but my soul is satisfied only when I am looking to Christ and drinking from the fountain of life!

I'd encourage you to listen to this sermon by Voddie Baucham: Gospel Healing for Hurting Marriages. Don't let the title fool you, it's applicable for everyone; whether you're married or not. I've listened to it four times now and still haven't completely grasped the deep truths he covers. It's wonderful!

Praise God for His mercy and love towards His children! May we find our satisfaction in Him and desire to glorify Him in all that we do.