Psalm 105:1-5
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek his face continually.
Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
These verses are very special to me. God showed them to me about 2 years ago and has brought them to mind several times since. i love the constant praise to our Lord and the reminders throughout to seek Him and remember Him constantly.
i have a confession to make. i have been struggling with my self-control/self-discipline. the lesson at Titus Tuesday a couple weeks ago really brought that to my attention. not that i'm an out of control fly off the handle type of person, but i have been failing to manage my time & home to make the best use of it and not denying myself in order to serve my Lord better. and that is very selfish .
this revelation has been very hard to come to grips with as i'm also struggling with some crazy emotions and weird physical trials. so, through much prayer, i'm seeking balance.
i'm not going to be staying up til midnight every night to try and get things done, my body just won't allow it. but i will be getting up a little earlier in the morning to seek some quite time with my Lord before the kid-o's arise.
i will not be doing an overhaul cleaning/organizing this week to correct everything at once. but i will be implement a better weekly cleaning schedule that i came across here and organizing one closet at a time (3 down, 1 closet & a storage room to go).
i will not be perfect at this. but i will be trying to cut out distractions (ex. computer time, little errands that could be done all at once), plan my meals better (i'm really bad at this), limit my creative crusades (ex. starting a dress when there is supper to cook) to the proper times, and mixing more scripture and prayer throughout my day.
through the power of the Holy Spirit, things will change in a God honoring way. i already know that if i try to do it by my power, things fall apart, don't get done, and i'm a wreck.
again, Psalm 105:4
"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually."
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
confessions of a floundering mama...
let me offer these words of comfort for any other mommies who feel like their house is eating them alive, like they are failing at training up their children, and have nothing left to give their husbands at the end of the day...
... i only managed to get 7 pictures this christmas. i am in none of them (which i am ok with being in pictures, it just didn't happen). the lighting stinks, the angles are funny, and there are none remotely nice enough to even post on facebook.
Christmas is a time to remember the birth of my Savior.
... this is what my kitchen table has looked like for the past 6 days. my husband smiles and deals with it graciously, but will be appalled when he finds that i have posted this for the world to see. but other mommies need to know, we all have these times. and it's ok.
Jesus has still covered me with His blood and washed me white as snow.
... i got claustrophobic today when Christian was climbing on my lap. i had to set him down and find my own seat. he gave me a look like he thought i was crazy. i probably am.
Blessed be our Lord who holds us close and never let's go.
... Isaac is watching his new curious george movie for the 2nd time today. he didn't take an afternoon nap so this evening will be ruff.
Praise the Lord for He is Good! ... and p.t.L. for dvd's.
the point is not that i'm making a list of excuses for bad behavior. on the contrary. i try to work hard within my home for the glory of God, for the honor of my husband, and for the good of my sons. but sometimes things can become a bit very overwhelming. and whether my home is spotless or not, God is still God!
my family can function in a messy house for a couple weeks if the need is there. they cannot deal with a mama who is have a mental breakdown. it just doesn't work.
so here are a couple suggestions to try and help save mamma's sanity...
... do something with your kids that will make you all laugh. sit down and watch a kids movie, or have a game of tag around the piles of laundry.
Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones."
... throw half of the toys in a box, seal it & throw it in a storage place for a while. if your kids are little, they won't even notice and less stuff means less to clean up later. (plus, when you get it out again it will be new and exciting toys for free!)
... mix 1/4 white sugar with a tablespoon or 2 of lemon juice and a tiny bit of water by shaking it all up in a little container. use it right away as an amazing body scrub that is super refreshing and CHEAP! (note: you will not be sticky as all the sugar rinses clean in the shower. trust me, this is a favorite of mine.)
... sing something! children love to sing and mine love to dance. they don't care what you sing or how it sounds. plus, i heard that singing releases endorphins (those are the happy hormones in your body).
... before bed, read some chapters from the Song of Solomon, pray, brush your hair, and put on some pretty pj's. i don't want to embarrass anyone, but, a husband who is satisfied is more understanding and patient with all the stuff around the house.
... i only managed to get 7 pictures this christmas. i am in none of them (which i am ok with being in pictures, it just didn't happen). the lighting stinks, the angles are funny, and there are none remotely nice enough to even post on facebook.
Christmas is a time to remember the birth of my Savior.
Jesus has still covered me with His blood and washed me white as snow.
... i got claustrophobic today when Christian was climbing on my lap. i had to set him down and find my own seat. he gave me a look like he thought i was crazy. i probably am.
Blessed be our Lord who holds us close and never let's go.
... Isaac is watching his new curious george movie for the 2nd time today. he didn't take an afternoon nap so this evening will be ruff.
Praise the Lord for He is Good! ... and p.t.L. for dvd's.
the point is not that i'm making a list of excuses for bad behavior. on the contrary. i try to work hard within my home for the glory of God, for the honor of my husband, and for the good of my sons. but sometimes things can become a bit very overwhelming. and whether my home is spotless or not, God is still God!
my family can function in a messy house for a couple weeks if the need is there. they cannot deal with a mama who is have a mental breakdown. it just doesn't work.
so here are a couple suggestions to try and help save mamma's sanity...
... do something with your kids that will make you all laugh. sit down and watch a kids movie, or have a game of tag around the piles of laundry.
Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones."
... throw half of the toys in a box, seal it & throw it in a storage place for a while. if your kids are little, they won't even notice and less stuff means less to clean up later. (plus, when you get it out again it will be new and exciting toys for free!)
... mix 1/4 white sugar with a tablespoon or 2 of lemon juice and a tiny bit of water by shaking it all up in a little container. use it right away as an amazing body scrub that is super refreshing and CHEAP! (note: you will not be sticky as all the sugar rinses clean in the shower. trust me, this is a favorite of mine.)
... sing something! children love to sing and mine love to dance. they don't care what you sing or how it sounds. plus, i heard that singing releases endorphins (those are the happy hormones in your body).
... before bed, read some chapters from the Song of Solomon, pray, brush your hair, and put on some pretty pj's. i don't want to embarrass anyone, but, a husband who is satisfied is more understanding and patient with all the stuff around the house.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
a book...
so i love a good book! preferably something fictional with great characters and a resolved ending.
i'm not usually into the books that claim they will help me get more done or get/stay more organized. where are they when clothes need to be folded or closets need to be sorted? i'm not really sure, but they definitely aren't here where i need them!
that being said, i've finished the book, "Peanut Butter on my Pillow" by rita w. kramer and found it refreshing and motivating, to the point i would like to share a little about it. not because of her grand ideas, but because she simply took every idea before the Lord. every concept she presented was compared before scripture to make sure it was in line. every suggestion she made seemed to be prayed about before putting it out there for me to try. so much scripture packed into a book has be to a good thing!
it's an older book i picked up off a used book sale at church (a big thank you to whoever donated it!). she puts many verses from the Bible, a few poems and quotes and her own confessions though out.
if you decide to give it a look, be sure to pray first that God will use this book in your life for His glory and your good.
i wanted to share a few things that hit me...
my inspiration for getting up a little earlier to pray
I didn't have time to pray
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into my day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"Why, child, you didn't knock."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on grey and bleak.
I wondered by God didn't show me.
He said, "You didn't seek."
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering my day.
I had so much to accomplish
The I had to take time to pray.
-Author unknown
a comforting thought about the state of my home
(i'm paraphrasing here) the whole idea of "cleanliness is next to godliness" is not in the Bible. in fact it was the idea of Phinehas ben Yair who thought that religion is a bunch of acts (he includes carefulness, vigorousness, abstemiousness [which is a big word for sparing or abstaining]) in and of themselves that become godliness. now i'm not about to take this guys advice!
John Wesley is the one who actually spoke this "treasured creed" in a sermon on dress. and John got it from Francis Bacon who actually said "cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God," the whole idea was that keeping your body clean is out of respect for your Lord God who made it!
rita also quotes the Living Bible in Proverbs 14:4 (i'm not usually a big fan of the Living Bible, but i kind of like this one) "An empty stable stays clean - but there is no income from an empty stable."
life is messy. between kids, husbands, cooking & eating, playing & learning, there is going to be some messes. praise the Lord, He looks at my heart and my stewardship in all areas of my life, not just how much dust is on the piano.
little notes about her house that made me smile
This is NOT Treasure Island.
Please find a more appropriate place for your valuables.
Relax. God loves you.
This, too... (by rita) hit me off guard
Diaper changing became so routine and automatic that i couldn't remember doing the last one.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Brothers, surrounded by a yard full of toys, fought over a battered tennis ball.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Sleepless nights during flu season were followed by long, headachey days.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Little hands reached into the cookie jar for "just one more?"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We didn't go to "buck night" at the drive-in movie because of insufficient funds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
I stiffened in the passenger seat while my student driver first-born practiced her left turns.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We sat elbow-to-elbow around the supper table, everyone talking at once.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
The afternoon schoolbus dispersed a half-dozen chattering Kramers, and from the first one thought the door i heard, :i got a hundred in spelling today, Mom!"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
My husband and I came home to a quiet house after an evening out and peeked in on our offspring sleeping peacefully in their beds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
a verse that reminded me to pray more
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
-Psalm 116:1,2
i'm not usually into the books that claim they will help me get more done or get/stay more organized. where are they when clothes need to be folded or closets need to be sorted? i'm not really sure, but they definitely aren't here where i need them!
that being said, i've finished the book, "Peanut Butter on my Pillow" by rita w. kramer and found it refreshing and motivating, to the point i would like to share a little about it. not because of her grand ideas, but because she simply took every idea before the Lord. every concept she presented was compared before scripture to make sure it was in line. every suggestion she made seemed to be prayed about before putting it out there for me to try. so much scripture packed into a book has be to a good thing!
it's an older book i picked up off a used book sale at church (a big thank you to whoever donated it!). she puts many verses from the Bible, a few poems and quotes and her own confessions though out.
if you decide to give it a look, be sure to pray first that God will use this book in your life for His glory and your good.
i wanted to share a few things that hit me...
my inspiration for getting up a little earlier to pray
I didn't have time to pray
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into my day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"Why, child, you didn't knock."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on grey and bleak.
I wondered by God didn't show me.
He said, "You didn't seek."
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering my day.
I had so much to accomplish
The I had to take time to pray.
-Author unknown
a comforting thought about the state of my home
(i'm paraphrasing here) the whole idea of "cleanliness is next to godliness" is not in the Bible. in fact it was the idea of Phinehas ben Yair who thought that religion is a bunch of acts (he includes carefulness, vigorousness, abstemiousness [which is a big word for sparing or abstaining]) in and of themselves that become godliness. now i'm not about to take this guys advice!
John Wesley is the one who actually spoke this "treasured creed" in a sermon on dress. and John got it from Francis Bacon who actually said "cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God," the whole idea was that keeping your body clean is out of respect for your Lord God who made it!
rita also quotes the Living Bible in Proverbs 14:4 (i'm not usually a big fan of the Living Bible, but i kind of like this one) "An empty stable stays clean - but there is no income from an empty stable."
life is messy. between kids, husbands, cooking & eating, playing & learning, there is going to be some messes. praise the Lord, He looks at my heart and my stewardship in all areas of my life, not just how much dust is on the piano.
little notes about her house that made me smile
This is NOT Treasure Island.
Please find a more appropriate place for your valuables.
Relax. God loves you.
This, too... (by rita) hit me off guard
Diaper changing became so routine and automatic that i couldn't remember doing the last one.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Brothers, surrounded by a yard full of toys, fought over a battered tennis ball.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Sleepless nights during flu season were followed by long, headachey days.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Little hands reached into the cookie jar for "just one more?"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We didn't go to "buck night" at the drive-in movie because of insufficient funds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
I stiffened in the passenger seat while my student driver first-born practiced her left turns.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We sat elbow-to-elbow around the supper table, everyone talking at once.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
The afternoon schoolbus dispersed a half-dozen chattering Kramers, and from the first one thought the door i heard, :i got a hundred in spelling today, Mom!"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
My husband and I came home to a quiet house after an evening out and peeked in on our offspring sleeping peacefully in their beds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
a verse that reminded me to pray more
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
-Psalm 116:1,2
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