Well I suck at it. I get my house together and I have these great intentions. I don't know what happens after that. Its like entropy is stronger than I am. Then things get so bad that its overwhelming and I know it would take a whole day to get everything together, so I wait for a free day. Well by the time that day rolls around it gets so that it would take me a whole weekend. So I wait for a free weekend (which we never have). By the time a free weekend rolls around it is so bad that I would need a few days. See a pattern?
Brian and I are going to attack everything during the next couple of weeks... again. I have gotten my other stuff in order. I'm eating right. I'm exercising 6 days a week. I am in a time of change, I am forming new habits. I want to do whatever I have to do for home to be a haven for Brian when he comes home. I want a home that I would be proud to bring children into.
It is my job. I need to, in the terminology of the Roman church, build a domestic church. I need to ask myself, when I look at my home, how would I respond if I walked into a church and the sanctuary looked like my house looks. In this home I am the minister. It is through my work that my husband and future children are reminded of God's grace. I should maintain an environment that reminds them of God's provision in providing us a home. I should prepare meals that feed their bodies, but also makes them thankful for God's provision in feeding their bellies with something they enjoy.
When I was a kid we would go gem mining. I have sapphires and amethysts that I found in the dirt and they look like rocks. They have value because of what they are, but it is hard to appreciate them in that state. God's gifts are a lot like that. God provides a roof over our heads, but if its falling apart then it feels like a burden on us instead of a blessing. Food is always a blessing, but if it tastes bland or like chemicals then we are tempted to ask why we can't have good food. If I've done my job right then God's gifts to us should be more apparent then they were before.
"Marriage is more than human. It is a 'microbasileia,' a miniature kingdom which is the little house of the Lord." - St. Clement of Alexandria
3 comments:
WELL SAID! I always tried to make home a welcoming place for my hubby and kids to come home to. However, I STINK at cooking. I need to remember this perspective....thank you!
And, instead of you and Brian killing yourselves to get things in order, try this...seriously!
www.FLYlady.net
I love this. Very well said!
I can relate. One of my suggestions, just start with one thing. Consistently keep at it, even when your tired. Give yourself a break when your sick. And realize life is all about ebb and flow.
I was never a good housekeeper and only became more aware I needed to be one after I had children. (At which time everyone wants to give you excuses). I know how lazy I am therefore I tend to be very hard on myself. I'm a completionist. Get in, get it done and move on. I'm realizing that I just can't do that with housework. It is NEVER done. That's just the way it is. I have found that doing things in smaller chunks is the only way my house stays even relatively clean. So on monday if I can get 4-5 loads of laundry done then the rest of the week I only have to do 1-2 a day. (and folding the laundry into a basket rather than just putting it on the couch allows us access to SIT on the couch once in awhile LOL) If I get the dishes done once every day (not necessarily at night although that would be really nice)the kitchen is manageable. The bathroom gets done once a week (generally when I'm bathing the girls) I need to get my bed changing going again. You get the idea. Once I'm there I'm ready to move on to the other deeper cleaning things.
Fly lady is great. But for my rebellious heart.......well, I struggled with the structure. :P
Remind yourself that even the fact that you DESIRE this is huge! The Lord will help you get there but sanctification in any area of our life is a process. :) Praying you find your "method" soon but don't forget the "principle" in the process.
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