Titus 2 - Our Homes #4

So, how are you ladies doing with your devotions, am routines and decluttering? I had errands to run yesterday and didn't get to work in my area. However, that did get me to thinking about the topic of today's post. How can you be a keeper of your home if you are seldom home? We have to be home to take care of our home. I definitely can tell a difference when I have been running alot, my house always reflects the neglect. So, today I want us to think about how much we are home vs. how much we are gone. Are you gone more than your home? If so, is your home showing the consequences of that? I believe as keepers of our homes we need to purpose to actually be home and tend to our duties. I know things come up, just like they did for me yesterday; I had to pick up our pork from the butcher. What I really want us to think about are mindless trips to town because we didn't plan well enough ahead of time. Are you running to the store because you forgot toilet paper or didn't buy enough milk last time you bought groceries? Last minute gifts? Overdue library books? I believe as keepers of our homes, we need to be prepared so these things don't catch us off guard. Keep track of how much milk your family drinks in a week so you can be sure to buy enough on your regular grocery trip, same with toilet paper. Those unexpected gifts, check your calendar the first of every month and see what gifts you will need for that month. I know sometimes your children get last minute invites to friends parties, couldn't we keep an extra gift on hand for such instances? Keep all of your library items in one place so you don't have any unexpected discoveries a week after they were due. (Yes, personal experience here!) Keep a magnetic list on your fridge and everytime you think of something you need, write it down. Maybe we can keep a pantry list on our fridge also and just mark things as we use them, this would help us track how much of an item we are using and how much to keep on hand. Start thinking about all of those trips to town and see how you can get it down to just once a week. Not only will it help us keep our home, it will save lots of money on gas and wouldn't that please our dhs?

Okay, here is another reason some of us aren't home much, because we work outside the home. I am not going to get into a debate right now about whether I think a woman should work outside the home or not, I just want us to look at how it is effecting our homes. Does your job interfere with your household duties? Do you have time to plan a menu, comparison shop to get the best deals, cook from scratch, and do laundry (and put it away). Do you have time to keep your home? If not, you might do well to pray and ask God for guidance in this area. Talk things over with your husband and seek his guidance as well. As a mother and wife, your job is your family and your home. I know there are some women that have jobs outside the home or their own businesses from the home because they feel they need something of "their own", be careful of this thinking. This is selfish and as women of God, we are to die to ourselves. We are to put others before ourselves and serve them as unto the Lord. I know it can sound really enticing to be bringing extra money into the home, but you must stop and ask yourself at what cost. Please be honest with yourselves on this one. If you and your husband are completely fine with your job and you are not neglecting your duties, then I am glad for you. However, if your husband does not support your business ventures 100% or your home is showing neglect, I urge you to look at your priorities and pray for guidance. No amount of money is worth not following the calling the Lord has given you as a wife and mother.

Okay, while you are thinking of ways to stay home more, you can set your timer for 15 minutes and declutter in your chosen area! You didn't think I was gonna let you off that easy did you? I will allow one exception to this however, if you need to sit down and figure out on paper how to stay home more, then by all means, do it. If you need to work on a pantry list, get a shopping list started or prepare for the next month's needed purchases, I will encourage you to take the time today to work on those things instead of decluttering. These things will allow you more time to declutter in the long run.

Blessings to you all,
Rashel