The Altar of the Kitchen Sink

“We have meekly agreed that the kitchen sink is an obstacle instead of an altar, and we have obediently carried on our shoulders the chips these reductionists have told us to carry.” -Elisabeth Elliot

This line appeared in one of my daily devotionals written by Elisabeth Elliot several days ago and has been sticking with me ever since. Today we as women look at the chores that we do around the house as things that get in our way and hinder us from having fun and doing the things that we want to be doing. We look at laundry, dishes, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning and so on and get bogged down thinking about all of the things that need to be done. We get overwhelmed. We get frustrated that so much of our time seems to be spent on things that seem so meaningless, and so repetitive, and end up needing to be done again so quickly anyway. We need to start looking at these things as opportunities to die to ourselves, to serve others, to pour out our love abundantly. We need to start looking at them as chances to worship the Lord, to represent the Kingdom and the love of Calvary to our husbands, children, families, and friends. This is a ministry, and a ministry that we as women have been called to. Read Proverbs 31 and take note of the many ways the woman cares for, works for, provides for, and lays herself down for her family. These things aren’t a hindrance to her, they don’t bother her, she delights in them. Follow the example of this woman, and that of Christ, imitate His love, service, and the laying down of His life for others.


“The routines of housework and of mothering may be seen as a kind of death, and it is appropriate that they should be, for they offer the chance, day after day, to lay down one's life for others. Then they are no longer routines.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Father please help this generation of women in seeing work in the home as service offered upon Your altar. Fill us with Your word and truth, and drown out the lies and message of the world that try to convince us that we as a gender are being held back. Give us hearts consumed with the desire to imitate Christ.

Shannon