Homemaking as Spiritual Warfare: Lessons from My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay
Photo by Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash

Homemaking as Spiritual Warfare: Lessons from My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay

Homemaking is spiritual warfare. We create homes that nurture faith and resist the enemy. See the eternal significance of your daily work.

Homemaking isn’t just about cleaning, decorating, or managing a home efficiently—it’s about creating a space where the presence of God is felt and where spiritual growth happens.

This idea was at the heart of a recent conversation I had with Tilly Dillehay, author of My Dear Hemlock. Her latest book is a modern take on C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters focusing specifically on women’s unique temptations and struggles.

Through fictionalized letters between tempters, My Dear Hemlock provides profound insights into the spiritual battles we face and how our homes are a part of God’s work in the world.

Here are some takeaways from our discussion that will inspire you to see your homemaking as meaningful, eternal work.

1. The Home as a Military Outpost

In My Dear Hemlock, the demons view Christian homes as dangerous—places where their influence is weak and spiritual growth thrives. Truly, our homes are outposts of God’s kingdom. Simple acts like hospitality and prayer create an environment that nurtures faith, fosters relationships, and serves as a refuge for others.

Tilly shared how her own conversion happened in a godly home that exuded warmth and grace. It wasn’t just the counseling or conversations that led her to Christ—it was witnessing ordinary Christian life lived faithfully. A home full of prayer, gratitude, and confession can have eternal effects.

2. Gratitude Transforms Everything

A central theme in My Dear Hemlock is the transformative power of gratitude. Many women believe they’ll be content and joyful if only a specific circumstance changes—whether that’s achieving a clean house, a harmonious marriage, or obedient children.

Tilly, however, highlights that true happiness and contentment come through cultivating gratitude for what God has already provided, not waiting for an ideal future.

When we practice gratitude, we align our hearts with God’s goodness, breaking free from comparison, discontentment, and resentment. Gratitude is not just a virtue; it’s a weapon in the spiritual battle for our peace and joy.

3. Confession as Cleansing

One of the most striking elements of Tilly’s book is how the demons strategize to prevent repentance and public confession. They know that when a believer confesses sin, the chains of guilt and shame are broken.

Confession is portrayed as a spiritual reset, removing the gunk that accumulates in our hearts and restoring intimacy with God and others.

In our conversation, Tilly likened confession to cleaning a shower—something we often neglect because it feels repetitive or unnecessary. But just as our homes need regular upkeep, so our souls need constant cleansing through repentance and God’s grace.

Naming sin, confessing it, and moving forward in forgiveness is a practice that keeps us free to focus on what matters.

4. Homemaking Is Eternal Work

Too often, homemaking is dismissed as mundane or insignificant. However, the daily habits we cultivate—prayer, Bible reading, and relationships—are the foundation of a home that glorifies God.

When we focus on faithfulness in the little things, we’re building something with eternal significance.

For married women, Tilly pointed out the importance of maintaining a godly relationship with your spouse.

A home’s atmosphere is often shaped by the love and respect shared between husband and wife. When couples address sin openly, forgive quickly, and prioritize their mission together, their home becomes a place of joy, purpose, and spiritual strength.

5. Self-Awareness Defeats the Enemy

A recurring theme in My Dear Hemlock is the demons’ tactic of keeping their “patients” unaware of their own temptations.

Lack of self-awareness allows sin to fester unchecked. By contrast, recognizing and naming temptations—whether it’s envy, bitterness, or sloth—empowers us to reject them and walk in obedience.

As homemakers, we can combat this by regularly reflecting on our attitudes and actions, asking God to reveal hidden sins, and seeking His help to change. When we bring our struggles into the light, we rob the enemy of his power and grow in maturity and grace.

6. A Lifelong Perspective on Growth

Finally, Tilly’s book offers a hopeful vision of the Christian life as a journey toward maturity. The protagonist begins as a young, immature believer but grows into a woman of faith, gratitude, and joy over the course of her life. Likewise, our growth is a lifetime process. God is at work in us even when we feel stuck, frazzled, or overwhelmed.

As homemakers, we need this perspective. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges of today—messy rooms, sibling squabbles, and unending to-do lists. When we step back and view our role as part of God’s eternal plan, we find purpose and encouragement to keep going.

Homemaking as Spiritual Warfare

Homemaking isn’t just a series of chores; it’s a calling to create a home that reflects God’s glory. Through gratitude, confession, faithfulness, and self-awareness, we push back against the enemy’s schemes and make our homes places of grace and growth.

Tilly Dillehay’s My Dear Hemlock is a powerful reminder that our ordinary, everyday lives are the battleground for extraordinary spiritual victories. By embracing this perspective, we can approach our homemaking with joy, confidence, and purpose, knowing that God is at work in and through us.

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Written by

Mystie Winckler

Mystie Winckler

Mystie, homeschooling mom of 5, shares the life lessons she's learned and the grace she's received from Christ. She is author of Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Done