Being a keeper at home isn’t praised in our society. That needs to change. As I recently discovered, I’m most fulfilled as a woman when my life reflects God through biblical homemaking.

I measure cups of sourdough starter, fresh flour, and mashed bananas. Listening to the gentle whirring of my Kitchen Aid, I crack eggs and sprinkle in chocolate chips. An hour later, the smell of freshly baked banana chocolate chip bread fills the house.
Extra time, for me, means baking. Thus, 2020 has been the year of baking.
Like most everyone else the world, I’ve been home nearly 24/7 due to quarantine. But my life already largely revolved around home, so it didn’t alter things too drastically.
So how did quarantine change things? I started feeling it after a few weeks.
Homemaking became dear to my heart once again
Not that it wasn’t before, mind you. I run a homemaking blog, after all. I work from home and am here pretty much constantly.
But I started to see the value of home in brand a new light.
Modern life, my work-at-home schedule, sports, activities, and a myriad of other schedule-fillers started to crowd out time at home, unintentionally.
Homemaking had definitely become an afterthought for me. And I didn’t even realize it.
Cleaning was a drudgery, who had time for it? Meals were a bit lackluster, the same old staples appearing again and again. Necessary repair projects were in a constant state of being on the back burner.
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How staying at home changes things
After staying home for a couple of weeks, I discovered that maybe I’m not as bad at cleaning as I thought. I noticed spaces in my home becoming tidy that never were before. Why? Because I had time.
I also noticed more creativity and preparation in our meals because, you guessed it, I had time.
My husband turned into an outdoor landscaping machine, creating a raised bed garden and fashioning stone steps, a pathway, and a new fire pit area in our backyard. Why? He had time.
It seems that in “normal” life, while we are full steam ahead on every front, life at home can feel at a standstill. Somehow, getting things done at home is pushed to the bottom of the list, because it isn’t really necessary.
Or so we think.
But this spring, as life in the outside world slowed to a grinding halt, we were free to move forward with life at home.
I was a little quieter on the blog the last few months, too. My home & family needed me, and I was basking in the glow of that.
Quarantine 2020 allowed me to breathe, mentally and physically. And I don’t think I’m the only one. Maybe this really is what God created me for.
I’m thankful for quarantine 2020, because it helped me rediscover being a keeper at home and how happy it makes me.
What is a keeper at home? (Titus 2 Woman)
The phrase “keeper at home” that is often used to refer to homemaking is found in the King James Version of Titus 2:4-5, which is directing older women:
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The original Greek word for keeper at home or homemaker is οἰκουργός. It means “pertaining to carrying out household responsibilities, busy at home.”
οἰκουργός (also οἶκος) refers to taking care of a physical house, but it also means taking care of a household or family.
So keepers of the HOME also means “keepers of the family.”
Being a homemaker is more than just a house-keeper
It was very encouraging to me to learn (thanks to my Greek scholar husband) that the word “keeper at home” also refers to family.
Because if you know me well, you know I’m not great at keeping spaces clutter-free, floors mopped, and decorative pillows perfectly aligned. (Not that these things aren’t good. They’re just not my strong suit.)
But being a true biblical homemaker goes deeper — it means looking well to the ways of the people under your roof, in your care. Here’s how.
Biblical homemaking is…
…showing your children how to follow Jesus in day-to-day life.
…looking for ways to submit to, honor, and bless your husband.
…keeping the house picked up and running smoothly to bless your family’s quality of life.
…creating a safe space to talk freely about whatever feelings or issues may arise.
…nourishing your family deeply with nutritious foods so they can be healthy and strong to fulfill God’s purpose for them.
…teaching your children life skills, fostering their imaginations, and helping them to be upstanding, respectful citizens.
…welcoming friends, family, and those less fortunate through hospitality.
And most of all, it’s making the people who are most important to you feel that they truly are.
“She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.” – Proverbs 31:27
Read Next: You CAN Be a Proverbs 31 Woman
What happened when I embraced homemaking with open arms
When I embraced the long shelter-at-home recommendations and dove head first into life at home, here’s what happened.
Long forgotten projects were picked back up. Laughter and family games were the new normal. All manner of creative baked goods came out of the oven. The laundry was done for once in our lives. (Well, almost.)
But I wasn’t Suzy Homemaker the whole time. I also rested. A lot.
And while life on the outside was standing still and life at home was moving forward, I discovered a new sense of contentment and happiness that had once evaded me.
I realized that God knew what he was talking about when he said for young women to be keepers at home.
It isn’t to oppress us. It is to bless us.
“The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” – Proverbs 14:1
Read Next: 12 Characteristics of a Godly Woman
3 Reasons God Values Homemaking
God didn’t formulate His plan for women to be homemakers to keep us under man’s thumb. Oh, no. He did it for our greatest good. And here’s why.
1. God created women to derive great joy from homemaking
When God created Eve in the garden, she was created to be a help-meet: a helper suitable, just right for Adam. And therefore, the perfect person to nurture their home and raise their babies. This was her God-given purpose.
Friend, you can do anything you set your mind to as a woman. But, ask yourself — what truly makes you happiest?
If you dig down, I think you’ll find that caring for your family truly does light that spark in you. God blessed you with a home and family to care for because He knows it will bring you great joy. And this is Kingdom work.
“He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.” – Psalm 113:9
When you live aligned with the purpose God created you for, happiness follows. That’s not to say you can’t pursue other passions in life – you can – but keeping the home as your central purpose will bring you the greatest fulfillment.
I know that for me personally, when I get things out of balance and start focusing too much on career or life outside the home, I just don’t feel as happy. But when I re-prioritize and focus on my home again, I start to regain that feeling of calm.
2. Life revolving around the home is calm & peaceful
Just as woman’s created purpose is to nurture, man’s created purpose is to provide & protect. He created men with the drive to go into battle, face enemies, hunt & gather, divide & conquer.
And as they go out to provide for and protect us, we get to stay home and nurture our families. As we do this work, we have the added blessing of doing so in a calm & peaceful place. What a gift God gives to women!
I’m well aware that many women have no choice but to work outside the home or have worked out a happy scenario with wonderful caregivers help with the kids. This can be done to God’s glory, too.
But if you are able to live with less so you can stay home, you will undoubtedly be blessed by calm and peace deep in your soul. God wants to bless you with this gift.
“She must look upon her home as the one spot on earth, for which she is alone responsible, and which she must cultivate well for God.” – J.R. Miller
3. He knows that bringing our children to Jesus is the most important work of all
1 Tim 5:14 says, “So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan.”
We truly don’t realize the depth of our impact as keepers of the home. This verse says women should focus on the family and manage the household to prevent others – or herself – from straying after Satan.
Caring for our homes and the people in it is a HUGE responsibility to save our children, and ourselves in the process.
It’s what Paul was talking about 3 chapters earlier in 1 Tim 2:15, “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
God knows that if women are at home, caring for their children, training them to love God with all their hearts, it is the biggest Kingdom builder on earth.
There is no greater mission field. We have a massive role to play in the saving of mankind – and it starts at home.
Read Next: 25 Ways to Teach Your Child to Love God
Want to work on your homemaking skills?
Here are some homemaking books I really enjoy to get you started on honing your homemaking skills.
- Submitting to your husband – Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
- Housekeeping & cleaning routines – Sink Reflections by the FlyLady
- Nutrition & cooking healthy meals – Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morrel & Traditional Meals for the Frugal Family by Shannon Stonger
- Raising kids in the Lord – I couldn’t think of a specific book to recommend here. Will you add your favorites in the comments?
Do you agree? Are you happiest as a woman when you’re a keeper at home, focused on your family?
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Love this article Mary! You are spot on! Your wisdom and encouragement I pray will reach many young mothers!
Thank you for your kind words Becky!
Great thoughts! Keep up the good work.
My greatest joy has been in being a keeper at home these almost 40 years.
I was just reflecting this morning about what I would have done differently.
Focus more on home and less time on activities. We had a wonderful time raising our family. I was home more than some moms of many but sometimes there is a strong pull to be busier to give your children more activities. I still think less is better.
The pandemic has not changed life very much for me but I have thoroughly enjoyed having everyone else around more, doing more cooking and baking, and learning even more basic skills.
I agree with you 100%. Less is definitely more. Thank you for your thoughts.
The Bible is the best and only instruction book we need. We need to read YHWH’s Word and obey it.
One good book in addition to the Bible is “Raising Your Children for Christ” by Andrew Murray. The older books have so much wisdom in them.
Agreed, the Bible is our only guide!
Don’t forget that many folks lost their livelihoods ( and in many cases their lives) through this pandemic. It has caused hardship and loss for many families. So let’s not lose sight of the fact that this virus has been a global disaster of which many people are still suffering the consequences of.
My intention was never to make light of the pandemic. Just trying to find a silver lining in the midst of the hard. I realize some aren’t able to do that, which is very sad.
This article resonated with me in many ways! My precious first child was born this year – she is a blessing from heaven. I’m not huge on resolutions but in the coming year I pray that I become a better wife, mother and home keeper. There is so much peace in this life if we trust the Lord and submit to Him – even in the darkest days.
Happy to have found your blog!
Yay, how sweet! Thank you for being here Laura!
As a Muslim, I really enjoy your website. God bless.
Thank you for this article as a homemaker myself, since being married 4 years ago, it’s truly the life meant for women.
“Raising Kids in the Lord”…
Michael and Debi Pearls book To Train Up A Child is awesome ☺️.
Great article, by the way 🙂.
As a home keeper, I often find myself actually feeling sorry for women who have chosen careers outside the home – not out of necessity but out of ambition. Our culture has presented this choice as the only path to freedom and happiness for women when, in fact, it is the path to stress and even bondage. You have been able to put into words what I have felt for years. My husband and I agree: things can be going well outside the home, but if home is sour, it sours everything. However, if home is Christ-centered-sweet, the whole world can be burning down around you and life is still sweet.
Thank you for this article!
Dear Mary,
this article has truly been a God send. Me and my husband have been struggling to have kids. Although we are both young, and have time on our side, whenever God decides to bless us with children, I want them to be brought up in the Godliest space possible. Lately, the past few weeks, I have felt so overwhelmed in many areas of my life. I would love to be able to bring glory to God through our home, and I just wanted you to know your article was just a blessin to my mornin.
I will say a prayer for you Brianna! May God grant you the desires of your heart.
Raising Kids for the Lord. A good book is called Child Guidance
I do love your blog–for the lady who said she was having trouble becoming pregnant==I have been very blessed with children by birth and one through adoption–I have also been a foster parent–I do hope and pray that Our Lord will give you chil dren through birth but there are very many out there who have no home they need us so very much too.