Clean Sweep

by | Feb 29, 2024 | second try

SECOND TRY – MANAGING YOUR HOME  (Day 5 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

I did not get the bathroom cabinet sorted out. It is, however, on my to-do list in my planner, so I will get it done soon. Next practical project is cleaning out the fridge and freezer. Paul does most of the cooking, so I know keeping his workspace clean and functional is a good gift.

I’ve also given some serious thought to roadblocks (yesterday’s focus). I had to ask myself, what are the hard things that I’m struggling with and/or avoiding when it comes to my home life?

I do tend to get discouraged when it comes to cleaning. We live in the country, our house is currently a construction zone, and we’ve just been through snow season and are headed into mud season. Gardening and livestock care comes with its own kind of messiness. And then there are dirt driveways and small children that run through our house. Did I mention my house rabbit is starting to shed his winter coat (did you know rabbit fur floats in the air and sticks to things)?

rabbit

All that whining to say, yes, cleaning is a challenge, but a bit of self-discipline will certainly help. It is truly an attitude thing I need to pray about.

What small thing could you do today to improve the quality of your home life?

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © JL G / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported

Anybody Home?

by | Feb 28, 2024 | road blocks

ROADBLOCKS – MANAGING YOUR HOME  (Day 4 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

What keeps us from having a home-building focus?

I know this might sound a bit silly, but you have to actually be home to do something about your home. If you are always on the go, you are not likely to take care of or manage your home well. Busyness can be so destructive as a time stealer.

Overwhelm can be a problem too. Where do you start if there seems to be too much that needs fixing? If your house is a mess, your spouse it ticked off at you, and the kids are being all whiny, why not just ditch the responsibility for a while and go to the gym?

messy kitchen

And, honestly, it’s easy to make a non-verbal point by neglecting something at home. I’ve let things go at home when I’m ticked off at Paul. It just feels good to express a bit of crankiness (I didn’t say it was the grown up thing to do).

Fear of failure, perfectionism, and general fatigue are not your friends either.

What stalls you out?

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Brebca / Adobe Stock
We’re Donation Supported

Home Work

by | Feb 27, 2024 | first try

FIRST TRY – MANAGING YOUR HOME  (Day 3 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Was there anything that stood out to you in yesterday’s thoughts? What part of managing your home needs work and consideration?

I keep mulling over the concept of making my home a place where my spouse wants to be. There are a number of facets to that, so I thought today I would narrow it down to being more present in conversation and looking for practical ways to make our home work for him (our bathroom cabinets are getting pretty cluttered and hard to use).

cluttered bathroom cabinet

Take the day and look for one or two small things you can do to make your home work better for you, your spouse, and any others that live there or visit.

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Lori / Doing Marriage Well / StockDreamsAI
We’re Donation Supported

Toilet Paper

by | Feb 26, 2024 | self-examination

SELF-EXAMINATION – MANAGING YOUR HOME (Day 2 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Managing your home well is a fairly broad idea. It can mean anything from taking a class to learn to improve your marriage to making sure you routinely have enough toilet paper. We’re talking about everything from relationships to the more practical physical care.

toilet paper

I think the idea is to build your home life around Christ and let Him teach you what it means to manage your home well.

She looks well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27a ESV (Guys, you aren’t off the hook. 🙂 There are plenty of verses for men, too. Home is where life happens.)

As you walk through your day, talk to God about the strengths and weaknesses of your current home life and household responsibilities. Where is God nudging you to grow?

As a cute idea, roll out some toilet paper and write a love note for your spouse to find. (If you share the bathroom with kids, make it PG. If you have a master bathroom, you can make it a bit steamier.)

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Alexa / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported

Of Hearth and Home

by | Feb 25, 2024 | concept

CONCEPT – MANAGING YOUR HOME  (Day 1 of 7)

I was hanging out in Proverbs and ran across this.

Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind … Proverbs 11:29a ESV

I was like, whoa! Thought I’d look it up in the Amplified to get a better picture.

He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing) … Proverbs 11:29a AMP

My mind ran through the scriptures I knew off the top of my head (leadership in the church needing to manage their home well, the Proverbs 31 gal who manages her home well, etc.).

And then I thought about a recent discussion I had with a friend where she said, “I want my husband to look forward to coming home after a day of work.” She wanted their home to be warm and welcoming. There was also the hint of wanting him to look forward to spending time with her.

welcome mat

Another friend has the gift of hospitality (her home is certainly not perfect), but when you walk in the door, you know you are welcome. It is a safe place to rest or seek encouragement.

So today, let’s give some thought to our homes and what God wants them to be. What is it to wisely manage our homes and make them beacons of light and love?

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credit © Ida Damkilde / Pixabay
We’re Donation Supported

More Value

by | Feb 24, 2024 | reflection

REFLECTION & PRACTICE (Day 7 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

So, how did your week go? Which concept kept you busy?

regular prayer – invite God into your marriage
remember the good – be grateful for the good in your spouse
value others – see your spouse’s needs as important

I had a week of valuing others. 🙂 It just seemed as though everyone I met was a beautiful individual that I needed to get to know better.

barista making fancy coffee

It was actually a very fun week. Lots of coffee, sharing, and laughter. Most people just need to be seen and heard.

WooHoo! My onions and broccoli are up!

seedlings

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credits – fancy coffee © StockSnap / Pixabay, seedlings © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
We’re Donation Supported