Gospel Homemaking :: A heart for the gospel.....A love for the home

no complaints

January 16th, 2012

I’ve been noticing an unhealthy trend at our house lately. No, I’m not talking about the Pop Tarts for breakfast or the potato chips with lunch (although those aren’t very good habits, either). I’m talking about what’s coming out of our mouths, not what’s going into them.

There have been far too many complaints swirling through the air around here. It seems like complaining just falls off the tongue so easily. The words disguise themselves in conversations and hide behind genuine wants and needs. They rob us of joy and contentment. They reveal our selfish hearts.

I could easily name some things that might be contributing to this heart problem. But, like most other negative issues that pop up, I should also take a good look at myself. Why is it that our kids seem to pick up (and amplify) every character flaw we possess? It’s really quite annoying. I mean, I can handle brushing my own sins under the carpet, but it’s hard to overlook the same sinfulness in my children.

So this week I am challenging myself to not complain. That’s right, no complaints. None. Impossible? Probably. Worth trying? Definitely.

I will force myself to look for the blessings hiding under the mess and clutter instead of grumbling about all the work I have to do. I will bless my husband by highlighting the positives from our day instead of sharing every little annoyance. I’ll praise God for the struggles, big or small, that drive me to the shadow of the cross.

And I’ll pray for grace. I have to admit that I’m a little nervous that I might learn some ugly truths about myself this week. Sometimes the truth hurts. But it also heals. By God’s grace.

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sick of sick

January 11th, 2012

Alright. I really don’t like to complain (sort of), but I’ve been sick since a couple days before Christmas. It began as a cold, started to go away, came back as something much worse, almost went away again, and now is hanging around just enough to annoy me.

Most mornings I feel almost normal, but by the afternoons my ears are plugged up, my head is foggy, and I don’t seem to have much sense of taste. Is that bad?

Anyway, this lingering fog is making me feel even more behind than I normally do. There are a few things that I really NEED to get done, but I just can’t seem to find the time and energy in the same instant. Those tasks are like heavy weights on my shoulders. They call to me when I’m trying to rest and condemn me if I dare to relax. They make me feel stressed and tired. They rob me of the peace I crave.

These overdue tasks must be done. This week. No excuses.

I’m ready to attack. I may need to get up early or work late. I might have to order take-out for dinner or let the regular housecleaning duties slide. Whatever I need to do, it’s time to get back to that ordinary month I was so excited about.

Sick or not, today is the day!

Do you have any unfinished tasks hanging over your head? Have you been fighting off the ick (or plague) around your house? Share in the comments.

an ordinary month: good-bye holidays

January 4th, 2012

The holidays are officially over. The gifts have been opened. The ball has dropped. School has started back. It’s time to work on creating some ordinary. And now it is suddenly abnormal to have a tree sitting in the corner of the living room.

I know that some people take their decorations down the day after Christmas.
I’m not one of those people.

I try to get them down shortly after the new year begins. Sometimes that goal gets stretched out a bit, but I hate when that happens. So, a couple days ago I packed away the random Christmas decorations that were scattered here and there, and yesterday I took down the tree.

Now the house looks empty. I guess that’s a good thing.

Today, I’ll put away anything else that needs squeezed into my storage bins, vacuum up the fake pine needles that are littering the floor, and move the furniture back into place. Easy.

If you’re still trying to get your house back to normal, here are a few suggestions:

Just do it. I know this sounds an awful lot like a shoe commercial, but you know it’s true. You just have to make yourself do it. There’s nothing worse than having a big ‘ol tree calling your name every time you try to relax on the sofa. It’s hard to ignore.

Put on a movie, listen to a sermon, or turn up some music. I took our tree down while watching a new movie with the kids. I hardly even noticed that I was working. It was (almost) fun.

Enjoy the “winter” decor. I didn’t put out a lot of decorations this year. If you, on the other hand, made your home a holiday wonderland, try to prioritize what needs put away first. The Santa stockings scream, “Christmas!” The snowmen and pinecones whisper, “Winter.” Let yourself enjoy the season just a little bit longer where you can.

So, have your Christmas decorations left the building or are they still hanging around? I’d love to know…leave a comment!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

an ordinary month

January 2nd, 2012

Happy New Year!

I love new beginnings. There’s just something freeing about a fresh start. I am suddenly motivated to be better. I’m on the lookout for areas to improve. I feel a new resolve…..for at least a minute or two. And though I know this shiny new feeling will fade away all too soon, I figure that I might as well use it to my advantage while it lasts.

Back in October, I spent the entire month working to create a better ordinary. It was life changing for me. I put into place many new habits that have revolutionized the way I manage my home and my life.

Remember?

But as time has passed, I’ve lost a little of that early momentum
and have let some things slide. I’ve also come to realize a few more issues that I need to address around here.

So, I’ve decided to dedicate this new month to pursuing a better ordinary once again. I won’t be writing about it every day like I did a few months ago (hey, I’m motivated, not crazy), but I’ll be doing tasks that will, hopefully, make lasting improvements in our lives.

I want to start by reviewing the 31 days to a {better} ordinary series. I’ll look for things I’ve forgotten and areas that I need to tweak.

I’ll also be thinking about the spots in my home and systems in my life that cause frustration. I’ll work to knock things off my To Do List and figure out why I let the same things sit there for months. I’ll organize everything that doesn’t move out of my way first, and I’ll get rid of as much junk as I possibly can.

I hope you’ll come along with me on the New Year’s journey.
I’m ready to create a wonderfully ordinary year!

Christmas Chaos

December 21st, 2011

We’re in the final countdown to Christmas, and “it” is here. As a matter if fact, “it” started about two weeks ago, a little earlier than usual. “It” is that twisted up feeling I get inside every year at some point during the holiday season. Yep. It’s here, and it’s not pleasant.

Right now, I feel like every inch of my house contains some sort of clutter or chaos. There is definitely no peace in my little patch of this earth. And I never even put up all of my Christmas decorations. That would be such a lovely excuse for the mess and general disorder. No such luck.

Then pile on top of the mess the fact that gifts need purchased and wrapped, parties need prepared for, school work needs finished up. I think I could go crazy. Seriously.

Over these past couple of weeks, I’ve had to figure out ways to cope so that I don’t either lose my mind or break down in a puddle tears. These thoughts will be especially important during this final week.

Here are some things I’m doing (or not doing) this crazy, chaotic year:

Keep up with my calendars.

weekly calendar

–Focus on what’s important. I have to keep reminding myself that people matter and things don’t. I’m trying to spend my time on things that will bring joy to my family (like the advent bags) and not worry so much about things that can wait (like cleaning out the kids’ rooms).

–Forget about what isn’t important. I didn’t send out Christmas cards this year. Again. I also didn’t hang our beautiful garland or indoor wreaths. Somehow I think Christmas will still come. I hope to do some more cleaning and baking this week, but I have my doubts about what I’ll actually get done. I’ve decided that I’m not going to cry over the unimportant things that will inevitably get lost in the shuffle.

–Do something small to get started. I’m finding that doing some small, easy tasks often gives me the little jump start I need to do the bigger things calling my name. Organizing a cabinet, wrapping a gift, or hanging a wreath can help get me going.

–Stash clutter out of sight. There is just too much stuff stacked in corners and piled beside the furniture. It makes our house feel two sizes too small. If I put my mind (and my kids) to it, I can likely get a lot of the junk put in its rightful place. I might simply hide those things that will require more time and organizational skill to take care of. Out of sight, out of mind. Fake peace is better than no peace.

–Smile…..enjoy…..relax. This week we’re going to watch lots of Christmas movies. I hope to color pictures, do crafts, and decorate some cookies, too. BUT I have decided that I’m not going to stress out over what we don’t get to do. Who says you can’t make cookies the week after Christmas? This is a time to make some memories. Hopefully some good ones!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

even more

December 14th, 2011

I have always been able to survive on relatively little sleep. At least for awhile. But recently, I’ve been craving sleep. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting old or because I’m getting lazy, but I don’t like it. It’s interfering with my time with God and with my attitude.
Not good.

As I’m fighting this current battle with my thought life, I need to spend time at the foot of the cross more than I need to spend time snuggled down under the covers, no matter how cozy and warm they are. I need to hide God’s Word in my heart. I need to pray. Without getting up early to focus on my Savior, I’m not equipped to take the next step toward a godly heart and mind.

I’ve been doing pretty good (by the grace of God!) at saying “no” to the thoughts that so easily rush in, but that isn’t enough. God requires more.
More is hard.

God tells me to “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14), not just walk away from an argument so I don’t have to deal with it. He tells me to “bless those who persecute” me (Romans 12:14), not just ignore them so I don’t get too annoyed. He wants me to love and serve those who seem unlovely and unworthy, not just put up with them
because I have to.

I’m stuck wondering if I can do it. Can I joyfully think good thoughts about those who offend me? Not thinking bad thoughts is a good start. But it’s just a start. I need to move toward thinking good thoughts. Forgiving. Loving. Blessing.

Christ loved and served unlovely and unworthy me. He made peace between me and my holy Heavenly Father. He blesses me daily with His grace, even though I curse Him with my thoughts and actions. And then He calls me to live a life worthy of the sacrifice He made. He commands me to be holy because He is holy.

See what I mean? I’m really going to need that time with the Lord in the mornings.
That’s where heart changes begin.

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

no complaints

sick of sick

an ordinary month: good-bye holidays

an ordinary month

Christmas Chaos

even more

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