"What do you DO all day?"

This is another post that falls under the entry of "not sure if it was a 'lost in translation' remark." I met someone recently for whom English is not her first language. Between the poor acoustics of the room we were in, the high noise level that added to the difficulty to hear, and the accented English, I'm not sure if I was reading too much into her question. But it's always one that I find frustrating to answer. It is often asked in such a way as to insinuate that lack of competence or laziness or just general slowness of mind. At least it often feels that way. I am often unsure of how to answer that question.

She asked, "What do you DO all day?"

Now when a married woman has small children, it is at least begrudgingly admitted, that you have something "to do all day," that would not include a job outside of the home. But once your children are grown, why in the world would you "not work?"

Now, it is true that in the states I am employed outside the home and greatly enjoy it. Teaching or tutoring brings me great satisfaction (most days!) and I am so grateful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of others in that way. When we moved to Switzerland, Bob wanted me to be free to travel with him, to offer hospitality to those who would come to visit and a job outside the home just didn't seem to mesh with those plans. Plus there is the added desire to not have to spend every Saturday cleaning the house and going to the grocery store, which given the hours that things are open, our having one vehicle, would have been our Saturday routine had we chosen for me to work outside the home.

But as I thought over the question for much of the afternoon, I realized again how little cultures value the life of one given to minister to another. Because as a woman at home, that is really "what I do all day." I minister to my husband by easing his burden at home. He doesn't have to wonder if he will have clean clothes or ironed shirts for that business trips that he is going to quickly pack for this afternoon. He doesn't wonder if dinner will be served or if he will have to prepare it when he gets home (or if the Ranch dressing will be made or if there will be homemade croutons for his salad.) He doesn't have to think about cleaning the house. He knows that if the car needs to be taken to the garage, or an errand needs to be run, his wife is available. He's always got "door-to-door" service to the airport. He's free to invite 12 over for dinner without first asking his wife, because he knows that she is glad to serve in this way.

He has gotten in the habit of telling me that he lives in a magic house. Clothes magically appear back in his closet and drawer clean, after being dropped on the floor. Dishes are magically done. Meals appear when he's home. (Although we do sometimes wonder on some days where the Swiss maid is on a given day. Sometimes she seems a bit slow to show up!!)

But, by not working outside the home, he has also freed me up to minister on his behalf to many others. I can spend a morning praying for others with other women. I can spend a day assisting a new mom in handling all the responsibilities that come with that job. I have the time to fill in teaching at a women's Bible study, because of my time flexibility. I can volunteer to organize the church library. I have the time to tutor a young woman in English and share the gospel with her during our times together.

We have not always had the freedom to allow me to not work outside the home. Those early years required the extra income.

So, what do I DO all day? I minister to others. Some days tiring. Some days a bit boring. But what a blessing to be able to serve.