Customer Reviews

The Hidden Art of Homemaking

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This book is great for anyone who needs a little "life boost". Edith Schaeffer helps you to work with what everyone's got--God-given talent! You may think you can't do anything, but she makes you see that it's the simple things in life that are important to concentrate on and "bring out". (Relationships are important, especially those with children) I only wish I had read this when I first got married or when my kids were younger but its not too late to start doing some of these things NOW. I especially enjoyed her chapter entitled "Interior Decoration". It's never really been a topic of interest to me but she has a lot of simple ideas (and inexpensive) on making your house a "warm" place to want to be! This is a book that everyone could read and be encouraged. I feel that even people who live alone, no matter their age, could benefit from this inspiring book!

This book gives us "ordinary housewives" a vision to serve our families the way that Proverbs 31 woman modeled for us. Edith gives us practical daily ideas on how to serve the Lord through serving our family and others from our home. We are not to be bored wives all day, but busy making a home for a husband, children, and Jesus when he comes as the hungry, homeless, or naked. How can we serve Jesus more? How can we be a better keeper of the home as Titus 2 encourages us to be? How can we fulfill the Great Commission if we are busy being wives and moms? How can we make our home more peaceful for our family and visitors? How can we be more hospitable? These are some of the things Edith discusses in her book. If we are not a wife or mother this book will teach us to practice serving in this loving way...it all comes down to serving Jesus always, with all that we were made to be.

Mrs. Schaeffer's theme was so radically different than anything I had ever come across, that though the book read quickly, it took a lot of time to sink in. This book will be enjoyable for anyone who seeks to make the home the center of life for their family, because it seeks to give honor to the processes that we can take for granted. Cleaning and meal prep, decor and training up little children, as well as thrift are covered.

It may be time to update some of the artwork, although the original drawings were created with the spirit of the books message in mind, so they remain relevant although they give the book a dated appearance.

I read this book when I was newly married, in 1980, and this book has been a great inspiration for my life as a woman, a wife and a mother.
Edith Shaffer is the wife of the well known Christian philosopher Francis Scaeffer, and they have together built up the L'Abri community in the Swiss Alps.

Edith Shaeffer says herself about this book: I would define hidden art as the art found in the ordinary areas of everyday life. Each person has, I believe, some talent which is unfulfilled in some hidden area of his being - a talent which could be expressed and developed.

Jesus tells us in the Bible to use our talents, and Hidden Art gives us some great help on this road. I remember when I read it the first time my favorite part was where the writers tells us about taking small children to long services and how to help them to stay concentrate and listen to what the preacher preach. I was not a mother myself then, but I was a Sunday school teacher, and all the children in my Sunday scholl became familiar with the drawings I had learned from Edith Shaeffer.

Other areas the writes tells about are music, painting, interiior decorating, gardening, creative recreation - to name a few.

I'm rereading this book now after more than 20 years. It is lent, and for me lent is a period where I try to find time to be more quiet and live closer to God and the meaning he has for my life. There are many books helping me to walk this road, and Hidden Art is a wonderful book sent from the Almighty God.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

The first principle of the author is that man is created in the image of God. Because God is a God of beauty, His creations are justified to create beauty out of the environment they live.

For a Christian, this is certainly an invaluable book. The author is truly a witness to the gospel she preaches. Edith made a very good observation: many Christians confuse between surrendering their will to God and depriving themselves of every need in their lives. This book is not so much about throwing out 1000 creative ideas as it's about setting the mind right for being creative.

For a nonChristian, the book is likely to be a disappointment because the first principle of the author already doesn't match the reader's.

This book is one of those staples that should be on the bookshelf of every Christian woman. I reread it periodically whenever I need a reminder that even the most humble of homemaking skills is an artistic gift from God.

Schaeffer writes, "Whatever form art takes, it gives outward expression to what otherwise would remain locked in our mind, unshared." She explains how God is the divine Artist, as we can see in Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork."

The detailed pen-and-ink drawings throughout the book are captivating enough, but Schaeffer will help you realize how your talents can bring beauty into your world.

Each chapter delves into one of the hidden arts, such as music, painting, interior decorating, gardening, flower arranging, cooking, writing, sewing, and recreational pursuits. I loved reading the author's descriptions of her mother and what a godly influence she had on her. This book would make the perfect gift for brides to be or any woman who needs a refresher on how the ordinary can be transformed into the exquisite, when fused with the joys of creativity.

--Reviewed for Christian Women Online, [...]

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in creating a home that is warm, inviting, and beautiful. Mrs. Schaeffer offers a view of "hidden art" that was new and refreshing to me, as well as giving lots of ideas about how to discover your talents in areas of "creating".

Although this book was written in 1971,it's premise is more relevant than ever. Taking the time to build/create a creative, welcoming home and family life is what Mrs. Schaeffer talks about here. Her ideas are biblically based, yet they could be used by anyone who seeks to create a sacred space for themselves and their "family". (Many examples are given for those who live as roomates, etc. It's not just "nuclear" familes she addresses here. She gives many fine examples that can be done with little expediture of money, or time. Most rely on a spark of creativity and your imagination. It's a quick read, yet her words linger in your thoughts. I high recommend this book to anyone interested in creating a true life of joyful memories for their family!

Let's overlook how dated the book is. It stands above most in how very inspirational it is. I have read and studied many homemaking type books over the last ten years. Mrs. Schaffer gives new perspective and practical ideas that motivate me to try something new in the area of living a fulfilling life where you are. Bloom where you are planted!

This is the best treatment I have ever seen about working out the practical realities of deep theological truths in the details of everyday life.