Proverbs 31:19

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff."

This verse refers to the ancient method of spinning from before the spinning wheel. The virtuous wife was well skilled in providing her family with clothing. In modern times such skills have become a lost art-something seen primarily as done by choice as a hobby. Why would a lady bother with making clothes for her family when it is so simple to go out and buy them? So few young ladies are taught the skills of knitting, crocheting, or sewing as they are viewed as useless skills. Young women today, in many cases, hardly know how to prepare meals. Even cooking family meals is becoming a lost art. How many know how to make a cake from scratch? Many families eat out frequently or order food that can be brought into the home.

I have been asked, rather often, why I would take the time to bake our families bread instead of buying a loaf from the store. It is true that a loaf of bread is rather inexpensive, especially when you take in to account the time spent in making it at home. But- there is so much more value in the loaf of bread, formed by my hands, than the wheat and yeast and the nutrition it brings. It does have value financially of course-we figured out that with buying our ingredients in bulk a loaf of wheat bread costs us just pennies, but greater than that is knowing that I created this food for them, with my hands, the same hands that wipe away a child's tears and help guide a little one's pencil as he makes his first marks.

The same is true for making clothes for my family. There is a sweet satisfaction that comes from knowing that I have crafted a garment for them to wear. I have found too that my family members seem to take better care of the things that they know I have made for them. I do not know if it is out of respect or appreciation-but either way it warms my heart.

I do not wish for the words to be a discouragement for those of you who cannot sew or bake or feel that you do not have the time. I remember before I had learned to do these things I felt very overwhelmed by the thought of them. Like so many of you I did not grow up learning many of these skills and found myself scrambling to learn new skills as they became necessary or desired. My hope is to encourage you that it is possible to learn, and to incorporate these arts into your homemaking life.

Pax Christi,