Making Peace with Your Housework

I've not been blogging much. There's so much out there to read, I figure I should invest my time in the things in my home that only I can do. Things only I can do, like train our children, manage our home, plan hospitality and so much more! That is the calling of us women, to do and be "So much more..."

Often, that calling drags on us. We are stressed and worried. Tired and hurried. I want to encourage you to LET IT GO! God had given us wonderful things that only WE can do. Whether you are a stay at home mom, a working (outside the home and at home) mom, a single mom, a mom of one or  a mom of 10, there are things only YOU can do.  Don't forget those precious things.

Hugs, kisses, kind words, encouragement, cuddles, stories read, a little money given to a grateful teen, a day out together, a long talk while actually looking at one another and not being in a hurry, and so much more is awaiting you! 

And, what about those things that are drudgery to you?? Laundry, dishes, meals, cleaning, shopping...they must be done. Why not work together? If that is not possible, as sometimes here everyone else is busy with their own things, do them with joy. And, if you are a born again Christian, you are serving your Lord. He knows where he put you, he knows what you have to do. Do it for Him! Surrender and be at peace. 

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might..." 

Ecc. 9:10

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;" Col. 3:23

I once asked my husband, "What can I do that would really matter to you?" You would never, never guess his answer. It was, "Have clean socks in my drawer." Really?! I can do that.  Now, honestly, there have been times when he is not happy with me and I'm thinking, "What is your problem? You have clean socks in your drawer." :) But really, you get the point. The little things matter. Some people speak the love language of "acts of service." Some people speak "quality time." Some "physical touch." There are a few more in a book called The 5 Love Languages . Good things to know! If you're speaking one language and your family members another, well I say again, it's just good stuff to know.

There is so much available to us. We have the virtual world, the real world, and our world. Then we have God's perspective and His world. Live there. It has the best view. Serve by doing those things only you can do. When you're comfortable and have a handle on those, branch out to serve others outside your home. You will feel more peace and be more centered than if you let a schedule run you.

This is such a simple principle, yet so many are missing it and drowning in dissatisfaction in their homes. The home is meant to be a place of peace and refreshment, not of dreary toil. Sometimes we are at a place where we need help indeed, but sometimes it's our attitudes and perspectives that need the most help.

Blessings,

Heather

What's for dinner? "Chewing on the hard things..."

God often gives us things to "chew on."  Sometimes they come through His word, sometimes they come through the mouths of others. Do we take those criticisms, corrections, and commands and begin to chew on them and try to "swallow"?  Or do we simply spit them out?

He renewed that thought in me this morning while drying my hair...odd timing. His timing is like that- the still, small voice when we're allowing quietness in our lives, or when it sneaks in. When we are too full of ourselves, our agenda and busyness, God is crowded out. Oh, he is still there, but he can not teach and help our spirits the way he can when we diligently seek time with him. Soon our surroundings will influence us more than God's Words to us.

So, back to "chewing". I remember hearing people say something smart and end with, "Chew on that a while!" I suppose most of you have heard that term. Often, things are said to us that are hurtful. Either it's the thing that was said, or the way it was said, or both. But, often what we fail to realize that there is typically some truth in most things we do not want to hear! We need to be humble enough to take the meat off and spit out the bones, so to speak. Take what is said and try to make it useful for us! This, my friend, will make you grow! And, as for those rude people who tell us things poorly and hurt our feelings. Just love them anyway. Doing otherwise won't make you feel any better, though you may want avoid placing yourself  in the middle of a food fight with them!