Today's Challenge

I am going through 31 Days to Clean; Having a Martha House the Mary Way by Sarah Mae.  The challenges are easy to keep up with and really do have lasting results.  Not only will the reader have a "company-ready" house, but Sarah also encourages us as women and home-makers to re-evaluate our position in our homes to create a home filled with life and love. 

Today's challenge suggests we make a list of priorities to keep our homes, and lives in order.  At the top of my list is my time with God.  If I am not making this number one, I really feel the effects.  I rely on His strength and guidance throughout my day.  By beginning my mornings reading His Word and in prayer, I am connecting to my source of strength and wisdom. 

My number two priority is my husband.  I have been trying to create a home of peace for him and that is not an easy task.  It is important that our home is a safe place for our family to rest and relax.  If there is constant bickering with the children, or if the house is messy, there is tension all around.  However, by keeping peace with our boys, training them to handle their problems under God's direction, and by maintaining a clean house, there is a sense of calmness and order.

This leads me to my number three priority.  My children.  I am trying to follow God's Word to "train my children in the way of the Lord, and when they are old they will not depart from it".  So many bad habits have already formed, so I have a lot of untraining to do as well.  But I am confident that through much prayer for them (I am also going through Warrior Prayers - Praying the Word for Boys) and leading by example, they will learn to follow Jesus. 

My number four priority is my home.  For me this includes house cleaning and grocery shopping.  These are my two main jobs and I try my best to do them well.  I have adopted the Bible verse to work for the Lord instead of man as my motto.  When I worked outside of the home, I wasn't happy with my employers.  But I discovered this verse and it made my work experience much better.  I focused on working for Jesus instead of my earthly bosses.  Not that my "job" now is horrible, I actually love it.  But I am keeping my focus on Him so that when I am discouraged by the daily dishes, laundry, or bathrooms to clean ... again, I remain in a positive frame of mind.  The Bible says to not complain about anything, so I do not complain about the work that I have been given.  It is actually a joy to take care of my family in every way that I can.

And lastly number five is myself.  I have (again) started a workout schedule that I am hoping will stick.  My goal is to be "beach ready by 2012".  Not that we have a trip planned, but that is my goal.  I am by no means overweight.  The opposite in fact.  But I am not the most healthy eater.  So I am starting to eat better, cutting down on caffeine, adding fresh fruits and veggies, adding oats (Steel Cut Oatmeal is really good), and exercise a little every day.  So far this week has been a success.  Little changes at a time and I am able to stick with my commitments.

I look forward to updating my progress weekly.  I hope you will come back to see how we are doing with our life changes. 
May God Bless you in all you do,

Kerry