“The older women…are to teach what is good…” (Titus 2:3)
Two “older women” have greatly influenced my life over the past forty-something years. One is Elisabeth Elliot. The other is Edith Schaeffer. It’s too bad we’re all done having children 🙂 , because we really should have named some girls after these two godly ladies who have so deeply influenced my life.
Edith Schaeffer, at age 98, finally met her risen Lord and Savior face-to-face the day before Easter. After almost a century of glorifying Christ through her humble, creative, generous service to others in His name, she has been called home.
Mrs. Schaeffer’s book, The Hidden Art of Homemaking, profoundly shaped my approach to homemaking in a season when I needed a wise hand to guide me.
- Her writing and example inspired me to not only plant a garden, but to plant it with bright petunias lining both sides of its center path.
- She inspired me to dig deep for the extra energy it took to organize treasure hunts and dress-up meals and Civil War campouts for our kids (and their friends).
- Almost every bouquet I put on the table makes me think of Edith Schaeffer.
- The drawings in my Bible were first inspired by her encouragement to draw pictures during a sermon to help our children understand it better.
- The fact that I write at all can be traced back to Mrs. Schaeffer’s encouraging words in Hidden Art.
God used Edith Schaeffer’s deep love for her Savior and her faithfulness and infectious creativity to help change people. I am one of thousands who owes her a great debt of gratitude. She didn’t know it, but she held my hand and led me through the busy, wondrous, exhausting years of early motherhood and homemaking, showing me how to lovingly serve Jesus while working to make the lives of others richer and more beautiful.
If you are ever tempted to become bored or indifferent about your role as homemaker, and you haven’t read The Hidden Art of Homemaking, you need to! Read my previous review of it, enter our giveaway of one free copy (below), and if you want to read just a little bit more about this incredible lady, read 9 Things You Should Know About Edith Schaeffer (I love the account of how she and Francis started dating!).
May we all have such joy as we invest our lives in blessing and encouraging others!
To enter the giveaway of one free copy of The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer, leave a comment briefly telling us about one woman that God has used in your life to encourage and teach you, and what you have learned from her. (This can be someone you actually know, or someone who has helped you through her writing and/or speaking.) You may leave more than one comment. This giveaway closes tomorrow night, Wednesday, April 10, at midnight, PST. A winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Thursday, April 11.
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