We each had on our own quilt, but as we worked side by side, we would stop through the process to help each other--adjusting the sewing machines, helping to hold the quilt, and pressing seams. Seeing the progress was so rewarding, and we both felt that it was a balm to our soul. For us, it was about much more than making quilts. It was about working together--being together without needing to entertain each other, and actually getting something accomplished that benefited our families. Have you ever thought of how different many of our modern-day relationships are to how friendships used to be? They are often so much more about entertaining each other than bearing one another's burdens. Women used to go down to the creek to wash their laundry together. They would get together to shell corn or do their canning, and somehow, even though their lives were so much harder back then, people seemed happier, more content.

Maybe it was because they were serving each other as they served their families. Women would go do their laundry together and come home, and their load would be a little lighter. Now it seems as though it's easy to get wrapped up in the cycle of getting things caught up so you can go have mommy-time with friends (and don't get me wrong, I love girls' night out at times too!), returning home to all of your waiting responsibilities, and the stress continues to mount.

What if, instead of going out, you went to your friend's house and helped her organize her closet? You could still laugh and have a great time together, but when your time that night was finished, her load would be a little lighter. Something would be marked off her to-do list. Shouldn't we as women do more than just entertain each other? Titus 2:3-5 tells us that we are supposed to teach the younger women to love their families and to be busy at home, so why not spend time together having fun and actually getting things accomplished?

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work" (Ecclesiastes4:9).

Some women get together to do once-a-month cooking, some hit the yard sales together, some quilt or scrapbook, and some babysit each other's kids so that they can have time alone with their spouses. The main thing is that they are doing things that benefit their families. Scripture speaks of turning the hearts of the fathers toward their children, but we need to also encourage women to turn their hearts toward home. Society has done so much to undermine the biblical roles of women, telling them that they will be fulfilled only by having a career or activities outside the home. We need to support and encourage each other to take delight in serving God by serving our families. Remember Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Truthfully, most of us don't need more time away from our families. We don't need a break; what we need is a helping hand--someone to come alongside us, roll up her sleeves to help, and remind us of the blessings of being a wife, mother, and homemaker. Talk to your friends and see how you all can bear one another's burdens. Sometimes it's hard for people to open up and let you see where they need help, but let's be real with each other and put our hands and feet to what God has called us to do.