Confessions and God's lesson

 I have to confess something to you. My house was a total mess this morning. We have been so busy lately and running here and there that I just haven't had time to keep up with chores let alone follow our schedule. I am working on trying to get our activities limited, but I can't change it overnight. Things should settle down after Friday because that is our last "extra" thing but we still have alot going on. I won't bore you with all of the details of our busy life because I'm sure you all have your own things that keep you running but I want to share something that came to me this morning. I was really feeling unworthy this morning as I was writing my daily challenge for the ABC's of a Godly Home since I was sitting in the middle of a chaotic mess. Let me describe my chaos to you for just a moment; clean dishes on the counter to put away, dirty dishes in the sink to wash, a major hotspot on my kitchen table, clean clothes piled on the couch to put away, a mountain of dirty clothes in the bathroom to wash and I don't even want to tell you how dirty my floors were! That is in addition to clutter scattered about and shoes left in about every room. Are you getting the picture? It wasn't pretty. So I'm thinking to myself that I have no business encouraging you in how to make a godly home when I can't even keep my own home clean and that is when God spoke to my heart. This challenge isn't just about getting a clean home, it is about our attitudes and our hearts as well. And do you know what? My attitude toward my husband and my children has been so much better since starting this challenge that it is okay if my house occasionally becomes CHAOS. We don't live in a state of chaos and it doesn't take us long to get things back in order when it happens. My home is a godly home because we love God and because we are doing our best to live according to His will. I know that His will is that my heart is toward my husband and children. It is His will that my speech be helpful not hurtful. It is His will that I be a godly example to those around me. It is those things that make a godly home, not how clean my home is. Although, it's hard to practice hospitality in chaos. So while a clean and orderly home is important, it is not the total picture. I pray that you are learning that through the ABC's challenge. I do pray that your home will become orderly and comfortably clean for you and your family but my main prayer is that you will learn to love and enjoy your family more as you draw nearer to God.
So, what does my home look like right now? Because I had my daily lists in place and my children had their room chore lists, we all knew what we had to get accomplished and we got busy. In a short time my laundry piles have diminished greatly, the dishes are washed, the clutter picked up and floors swept. Is it perfect? No, but it is liveable now. We still have some cleaning chores I want to get done today but at least our home is now in order if company were to come by. AND I kept my speech loving and my heart attitude right in the process. So be encouraged my friends, days will come when we don't have time to keep our schedules and your home may suffer but what is important is to keep your heart and attitude reflecting God.

Blessings my friends,
Rashel