when my unsolicited e-mail contains snotty criticisms of Martha Stewart and her homemaking tips. I received some of these notes at Thanksgiving; I'll undoubtedly get more at Christmas. I find them wearisome, and frequently bitter. In order to offset the Martha-bashing on the internet, I'd like to offer this guest column, which was written by my dear friend, Jan Weaver, from Aberdeen, S.D.] |
 Why I Like Martha Stewart By Jan Weaver Aberdeen, South Dakota |
|
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ...
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread
of idleness.” Prov. 31: 1, 27
***
Despite the growing popularity of dish towels and wall plaques that are
inscribed “Martha Stewart doesn’t live here,” I like Martha--and I
suspect I am not alone. Martha justifies my desire to be an excellent wife, mother, and homemaker. It is good to know that there is indeed a right and wrong way to fold my towels (my mother never told me that) or organize my linen closet, and even better to know that now mine is not only proper, it isn't going to avalanche on unsuspecting victims. Inside every working mother who pooh-poohs the idea of an organized and efficient home (because the time it requires simply eludes her), there dwells a homemaker who would love to come home from work and find the laundry neatly folded and put away, the wonderful aroma of homemade bread wafting from the oven, and a clear path from the door to the table, where a hot steaming dinner awaits. This is the heart of a home, and the part of the heart that can't help but admire Martha for not being ashamed to do it well. I don't think the fact that her name is Martha is at all coincidental either--wasn't Jesus trying to get Martha to sit down a minute? But it is Proverbs 31 that really makes me think of Martha Stewart. Who else can function on three hours of sleep and not only make or grow everything she needs, but earn money at it as well? I think many women harbor a desire to be able to fulfill their needs emotionally, financially and spiritually through their homes and wish that their homes could reflect this facet of their personalities. This is good! To me, Mother Teresa's words, “do small things with great love” refers to the many tiny tasks required to keep a home running smoothly. Yes, indeed, I really do like Martha Stewart. But then again, I really do like fruitcake too. |