The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Integration

In`te`gra´tion   Pronunciation: ĭn`tė`grā´shŭn

n.	1.
	1.	The act or process of making whole or entire.

The root of the word "integration" is "integer," and to pull from mathematics definitions, an integer is a whole number.  In the context of this discussion, the idea of integration suggests the unification of people across ages, ethnicities, and ideas.  It is well known that people generally don't get along very well, tending to be everything from critical to violent against one another's ideals and backgrounds.

Integration is something that is difficult to attain because God caused segregation at the Tower of Babel due to man's sin.   Yet, God has given us the ability to become more integrated through believing that his Son came to earth as a perfect baby, that he was crucified, and that he rose again on the third day.  The unifying power of this life changing belief is the only way to achieve any integration.  One day when Christ has returned from heaven and made a new world for those who love him we will become completely integrated.

Meanwhile, as homemakers we can introduce integration in the form of having our children involved and listening to conversations and discussions with people of various ages and ideas.  We can take our children to church to hear the Word of God preached.  We can be involved in activities with different ages, ethnicities, ideas etc.  We can be involved in our community.

Edith Schaeffer says, "There is an art to what is called in the Bible 'peacemaking', bringing together people of varied ages and backgrounds to help them understand each other...The most real 'something' you can do is within the family unit, as you open it up to others, to a cross-section of ages and peoples, or the gathering together of community life on a small scale."

*This post was co-written with Jeff. 

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Clothing

I had set my book aside during this series and just picked it back up, so I hope to finish my overview of each chapter over the next couple of weeks.


Chapter 12 is about clothing.  God gave the first clothes to Adam and Eve after they sinned in the Garden of Eden.  They were made of skins.  We don't know what kind of skins or what their clothes looked like.  Edith Schaeffer talks about how God "clothed" the fields with flowers.  There is much variety, beauty and intricacy upon closer examination of the flowers that God has created all around the world and for different seasons.  There is nothing wrong with wearing beautiful clothing.  She continues to talk about how, depending on where you live and your mission field, you may need to dress to "fit in" to the culture.  This doesn't mean that you would dress in ways that show parts of your body that shouldn't be revealed.  It just means that in order to reach those in your mission field you shouldn't dress above or beneath them.  You should dress to fit in where God has called you.

I found this chapter a little harder to read and I'm not sure that I agree with all that she presented, but in general I think I understood the point of the chapter.


Linked to:

The Modest Mom

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Creative Recreation

I wanted to finish sharing my thoughts on each chapter of The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer.

Chapter 11 talks about Creative Recreation and getting down on the ground, out in the open air and in a river, etc.

"Man was made to relate to the things in the earth, mineral as well as plant, oxygen as well as animals.  However, although everything we find in 'civilization' has come from, or has been produced out of the raw materials existing in the earth, still it seems we have become more and more separated from the basic things of the earth."

When was the last time you took a long walk in the country, the woods, the seaside or the snow?  Have you ever left your home and walked to your destination or do you always drive?  When was the last time you sat outside on the ground or a rock to watch the sunset or sunrise?  After you did one or more of these things how did you feel?  Tired, invigorated, refreshed, grumpy, mentally stressed, relaxed?  Did it make you feel like you should do it again sometime?

"It is in nature, among the things which God has created, designed and brought forth Himself, that we are in the most natural atmosphere to be inspired.  Creative ideas are apt to flow in the midst of the creativity expressed in God's creation, as one is temporarily separated from the confusion of conflicting voices which would separate us from the simple basic realities of what 'is'..."

When was the last time you sat outside in the morning listening to the birds as they greeted the day and enjoying the coolness of the morning?  When was the last time you slept under the stars and listened to the night creatures and crickets chirping?  When was the last time you tended a garden and watched it grow and enjoyed the results?

One of the creative ideas she suggests is to make a "Meal Hunt".  Give clues to find and make the kids hunt for the meal.  Make it 2-3 courses.  This can be done inside or outside.  If you do it outside they might actually have clues that take them to a bush, tree or plant in the garden that they can pick part of their food to eat.

How do you encourage creativity in your kids?

"Children are naturally creative, but it needs encouragement."
Let them tell you about their ideas and encourage them.  Allow them the freedom to make something with stuff.  Give them "trash" to make into "treasure".  Do they really need that "kit" or can they do something similar if allowed a little glue, paper, rubber bands, sticks, grass, rocks, etc?

I guess this post is all full of questions to help you get your creative juices flowing.  What are you going to do about it?

I know that I love to be outside, but it sure is easy to stay inside and not get dirty or hot.  I need to make a conscious effort to go outside more to enjoy it.  Being outside makes me feel refreshed, relaxed, joyful and gives me a sense of wonder that my God created all of these things that I enjoy.


          

The Hidden Art of Homemaking - Drama

I like dramas and I like to act, but my memorizing skill appears to struggle.  Yes I can memorize, but it takes a lot for me to really memorize something that I remember and not forget.  Therefore, I do better at impromptu acting.

I like this chapter and how the author suggests reading to your children as a dramatic outlet.  Reading them the Bible, poetry, biography, fiction, non-fiction, mystery, etc. are a way to have fun and bond with your children over stories and poems that can be enjoyed and discussed repeatedly as a family.

I read to my children almost everyday.  We read for school and fun.  We read chapter books and picture books, and yes even Felicity (2) listens to parts of our chapter books.  It's good practice for learning to sit still and quiet, even if she doesn't understand much of it.  We usually read to kick off our quiet time part of the day.  Our current read alouds are Wisdom and The Millers, Misty of Chincoteague, and The Long Winter.  Kent and Katy also have books that they read to me as part of their school.

Kent's everyday drama.

Another way to use the 'Hidden Art' of Drama is through family prayers.  Praying for your family as a family.  This isn't just a superficial prayer, it's the prayers that get down and show each person in the family that we are human/sinners and that we have a God who is Perfect and loves us and cares about us.

There was so much to this chapter that I really encourage you to find The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Scheaffer just to read Chapter 10.

Tonya at My Homey Haven has been hosting this book study!  I know she's been busy and I will link this post with the rest in her collection.  Click on the button below to view her posts.