Thursday 8 December 2011

Influence



As Homemakers, we have tremendous influence.  Used effectively, with honest, good intention, this influence can affect our families in truly profound ways for the rest of their lives.  It's both humbling and I dare say downright sobering to bear daily witness to the power of this influence.   As Homemakers, we see it live and in "real time" each and every day.  

One of the things I love most about my job is the ability to use this influence to comfort my family in ways that aren't always tangible.  While I can't eliminate discomfort from our lives (nor would I necessarily want to),  I certainly have great influence over the many things that my family experiences on a day to day basis.  

The way we view our role, the way in which we carry out our work, the attitude we choose while doing it, how we handle problems and even our seemingly small, insignificant daily decisions influence each person living in our home.  Our families are literally marinating in our influence. 



Really think about that for a minute.  




I am the marinade that my family is soaking in.  




That's a lot of power.



We can CHOOSE to use this power of influence in many different ways, but the ultimate challenge is to use it well and for the good of the family.  


Case in point:

Mondays are challenging for us.  The return to the weekly routine after a weekend of leisure can be a difficult transition for our children (and us, too).  When Kelly leaves to go back to work (out of town), it's always on a Monday.   In general, around our place, Monday = blech.  

I have a few ways that I make Mondays a little more enjoyable and they effectively influence opinions about this first day of the week regardless of the reality of the day.


1)  Starting Monday's school day with art or hands-on activities help everyone look forward to the start of a new week instead of dreading it. 

2)  Baking "Monday Cookies" each week which are something to look forward to once we finish with our day's schoolwork.   

3) Mondays are Linen Wash Day.  The kids make their own beds all week long, but on Mondays, I wash the sheets and in the late afternoon, make up their beds nicely and turn down the covers.   Come bedtime, the room is dimly lit, the blinds are drawn and favourite dolls and stuffies are placed just so atop cozy flannel sheets and down duvets.  Bedtime is SO much more appealing when the room is inviting as it is on Monday evenings :)




* Reece is recovering from a cold, so pardon the towels on the floor to catch the moisture from the humidifier...


One of the ways that I challenge myself in my role as a Homemaker is to "dissect" our days so that I can identify problems or methods that aren't working well.  Influencing outcomes is really just finessing and altering our days to net a better result.  There are limitless methods and no one single way is right for everyone.  What may work now might not work next week or next month and that's what keeps our jobs interesting and challenging ~ responding to changing needs.

How are you using YOUR influence in your home?  What family/household challenges have you been able to overcome by strategically using your influence to net a better result?  Do share!






7 comments:

  1. What a powerful message, and one which I needed to hear at this particular time. God works in mysterious ways. Thank you for such an enlightening post. I'll go away and think about this one.

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  2. What a lovely message to spread..I like your play with words on it too...I'm also a marinade. I have to tell you, I love the way you write with such passion.
    On my mind today is tracing the heritage of a recipe...How hard could it be?
    http://justlikemynanmade.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-my-mindjumping-johnnys.html

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  3. Wow. Lots of food for thought there. Sometimes I am so busy just getting through the day or week I forget that I can and do have influence on our lives. Like Busy Mum of 3, I'll go and have a think. Might do it whilst I wander the garden!

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  4. Yes, moms do set the tone, and you are doing a wonderful job. (I have/had those beds..just like yours...I just gave them to my kids to take with them in their homes....they looks cozy..I love fresh sheets). love,andrea

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  5. Gonna have to think about this. I have striven to create a calm, peaceful and loving home, and there is no one day more stressful than the others. But I am sure to think more on this now that you've pointed it out! Thank you.

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  6. Being a homemaker is such very important work, as you so eloquently show. I have just recently left my city job to be home with my baby, and creating a restful, peaceful home is something I think about a lot these days (and something I'm still working toward). Thanks for the inspiring words you shared here!
    -Jaime

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  7. What a great post!!! This really touched my heart. I have never heard your explanation of "being the marinade" but it is so true. Mondays tend to be a bit ho-hum around here, too. Although I work outside the home 2 days a week, I try to make the days that I am home ones where everyone will enjoy coming back through the door. This week I made some homemade bread, dinner rolls, and cinnamon sticks. The response was very positive! Thanks again for the post.

    Angie

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