The Gift of Hindsight

God has been ministering to me in such tender ways since He turned out the lights on my pity party. In fact, I realize I've been given a wonderful gift. The ability to look back on the past two years and see how God has ordained this time in our lives, and the opportunity to prepare for what lies ahead.

It's been nearly two years since I started the quest for peace & simplicity. During that time, I learned so many things. (I think this post sums it up best, but you can click on the labels to read more about that journey). I cut physical, spiritual & temporal clutter. I saw what was important. I (obviously) sought peace & simplicity. I became more frugal. I didn't know what was coming. I just knew God was orchestrating these changes in my life, and I tried to follow Him wholeheartedly.

2009 has been the year of trust & obedience. I watched Him provide as R's job fluctuated. I leaned on Him as He cleared the path to Peru. It was all so real and intimate and beautiful. It was the summit. When I returned home, we started downhill. I went back to grumbling and grousing about things. I got caught up in my wants and visions. I became discontented with my home again. I was seeking to change things, make them better.

We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. -Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)

That's exactly what was happening. I drifted. I ran ahead, and stumbled headfirst into the valley. That's when the news of R's pending unemployment hit.

But God... (Aren't those the sweetest words ever?) He has poured out His love, mercy & grace upon me since Thursday. He has sustained me. He's shown Himself to me in dozens of ways already. Some I'll be sharing here in the days and weeks ahead. Some I'll keep tucked inside my heart. One thing's for sure, this time is something I want to take full advantage of. I don't want to miss even one syllable of what He's saying or one glimpse of what He's showing.

To be continued...

As the Keeper of the Home

Now for the last part of Jennifer's question. Once again, I asked R what his answer would be.

Your consistency.

(I told you I have a great man! Although you may not have read it, because Blogger was acting up.)

You see, for years...and I mean YEARS...our home was a shambles. I would throw things in the closets and hide the mess when company was coming, because I never had took the time to really clean. All the clutter overwhelmed me. There simply wasn't room for everything, so I could never truly "put it away".

God changed all that. Not me. Him.

I could write volumes about the work He did in my heart and in my home. In fact, I have. If you're new here & you're interested, you can click on the "In Pursuit of Simplicity" label at the bottom of this post and read more.

Lest you think my house is always perfectly neat, let me assure you that it's not. More often than not, it can be picked up and pretty clean within 20 minutes. I've learned that an environment of simplicity doesn't just happen, it must be cultivated. In addition to drastically reducing the physical clutter, I've taken intentional steps to create an atmosphere and attitude of simplicity in our home.

~We watch limited television during the week. Often we listen to classical music while eating dinner, homework, and going through the nightly routine.

~I've introduced CJ to The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie on DVD. Trust me when I tell you I underestimated the influence these shows would have. We had become desensitized to the rudeness and laziness of children in current shows. By watching these older shows, CJ's seen that children should be more responsible and that they can't have everything they want. She's realized that she's tremendously blessed. And she's helping out more around the house, without my nagging her. I'm praying it will last!

~We stay home more. Since things are calmer, we love to be home.

~We rest on Sundays. Naps are not only permitted, they're expected! We come home from church and spend the rest of the day together relaxing and having fun.

~We have a routine that's structured, yet flexible.

These are small changes that have paid big dividends. Think about it for a minute. If you could do one thing today to cultivate an environment of simplicity and peace for your family, what would it be?

I'll be back on Monday to read your responses. In the meantime, I'm going to see this lovely lady for my birthday. I can't wait. Have a great weekend!

Cleaning, Made Simple

I confess, I dropped the ball. I told you several weeks ago that I'd formulated a new cleaning routine and would post it soon. Then I didn't. It certainly couldn't be because I haven't actually put the new routine into action yet. Or maybe it is. I'll never tell.

I seem to spend most Saturdays spinning my wheels and never really getting anywhere. The idea of scrubbing down the entire house is always daunting. I often get interrupted, or distracted by another chore (returning items to a room that needs dusting, dust the room, when returning the dusting items to the cleaning closet in the bathroom, notice that the bathroom needs cleaning, etc.) All of that running around has left me feeling worn out with not much to show for it. I was also at the mercy of R's sleeping schedule until his shift changed to give him weekends off. With this big life change for our family, I decided it was time to make the most of my Saturdays.

SO

I created a list of standard Saturday chores:

~dust Living Room
~sweep & vacuum all floors
~spot clean bathrooms

(I'm generally able to stay on top of the laundry & dishes during the week, so it's not a problem)

I've also divided my home into four sections:

~Kitchen/Dining/Entry
~Living/Laundry/Office/Guest Bath
~Master bed & bath
~CJ's "suite" (her room, playroom & bath)

I'll tackle a section each week for deep cleaning. I realize the definition of "deep cleaning" is different for everyone, but here's my list for the kitchen/dining/entry:

~mop floors
~dust trim, light fixtures & art work
~empty & dust china cabinet
~polish appliances (stainless steel)
~clean cabinet fronts & tile backsplash
~seasonal chores (i.e. cleaning windows) as needed

I'm thinking that breaking the house down into four manageable sections will help me in several ways. First, I won't feel so completely overwhelmed. Second, I won't have to spend my entire Saturday dashing around trying to get everything done, because eventually I'll get to it. I've learned that this and this help to reduce the time needed between heavy bathroom cleanings. Since I don't have small children, I think my laminate floors can handle a month between moppings (unless we spill something). If I'm out of town or need a break, I'll get the basic chores done during the week, and back the others up a week. The house won't fall down around me.

I may need to tweak the system after I've been at it for a while, but I think this is a good start. Any suggestions?

The Balancing Act: Menu Planning

Since I've been so late getting everything else done around here, why should you be surprised that I'm what...a month or so late on finishing The Balancing Act series?

And I'm hoping you really won't be shocked when I point you to a couple of ladies who have the menu planning down to a science. My attempts pale in comparison.

So, go visit Joanne and Meredith. You'll find lots of great tips...I sure did!

Fade Out

Now that we're well into 2009, I guess I should let you know how 2008: The Year of Peace & Simplicity turned out, huh? As I've said many, many times during the past year, I don't know where to begin. God has been so amazingly good! He has recreated my life in such a way that I sometimes hardly recognize it.

Still, I've learned that maintaining peace and simplicity in my home and life requires effort on my part. I got out of whack during the holidays, and it didn't take long for things to spiral downward. Fortunately, I woke up before things got too out of control. Several weeks with no schedule or sense of true purpose made me realize that I wanted my structured, simple life back! I marvel that I lived any other way.

I'm not foolish enough to believe that I have obtained a perfectly simple, peaceful life. I have not, nor will I ever. I may have started the year expecting to arrive at the final destination in one year, but that certainly wasn't realistic. If nothing else, I learned that the journey will be life-long.

As my new bloggy friend, Keri Wyatt Kent, says so aptly in Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life:

Simplicity is not a method. At its heart, simplicity is a relationship with God that is focused on Him and is growing, changing, evolving.

You can organize and downscale all you want, but if your heart isn't focused on Jesus, you won't live a simple life.

I did a lot of downsizing and organizing this year. I knew I had to start there before I could hope to find simplicity. Intentionally focusing my time and energy in this manner was necessary for a short period...yet the journey to simplicity is a marathon, not a sprint.

According to my theme verse, it's the same for peace:

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him)--but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.

~Psalm 85:8 (AMP)

In order to have peace, I've got to be in right standing with the Lord. That's a continual process, a constant work. There's no way I won't return to my self-confident folly if I'm not depending oh Him.

Which brings me to 2009.

To be continued...


(P.S. - If you're curious about some of the lessons I learned this year, click on the labels to read more posts in these topics.)

The Balancing Act: Making a Routine Work for You

Well, I didn't plan to be gone for so long! Just as I planned to write about having a daily routine, mine nearly fell apart. A crazy-busy week with Southern Living at Home, followed by R's week of 3-11 shift, ministering to a couple of friends in need, and hosting Thanksgiving dinner...in times like these, maintaining a routine is difficult. Yet there is something inside me that craves a routine and its dependability. It calms me.

Wash on Monday,
Iron on Tuesday,
Mend on Wednesday,
Churn on Thursday,
Clean on Friday,
Bake on Saturday,
Rest on Sunday.

~ from Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I admit, the idea of such a routine thrills me. I've tried several times over the years to have designated days for chores. When I failed, I shut down. Perhaps one of the most important lessons I've learned during the Year of Peace and Simplicity has been to let go of unrealistic expectations. I've stopped trying to micromanage my days, and discovered that a routine can be flexible and still be effective. Here's what routine usually looks like for me:

Morning

5:30 - 6:30 quiet time
6:30 - 6:45 quiet chore (usually folding laundry)
6:45 - 7:20 wake CJ; make her breakfast & lunch; hair assistance when needed ;-)
7:20 - 7:30 empty dishwasher while CJ waits for bus
7:30 - 8:15 make bed, get ready for work, and head out for the day

R's shift is the big variable here. Sometimes I get up later (so the quiet chore doesn't get done) and don't make the bed (hard to do with him still in it!). Like Joanne, my schedule isn't written down anywhere, but being intentional in using my time has many benefits.

Evening

~Dinner - either from the crockpot, or something quick & simple
~Homework & reading
~Clean Kitchen (usually while CJ sits at the bar during homework)
~Laundry, if necessary
~General Pickup
~"Free time" hour
~Start dishwasher & washing machine as needed
~Bed

Again, this is how it GENERALLY works. I try to keep my weeknight commitments limited to one per week (aside from Wednesday night church). There are plenty of weeks when I have no other plans, but occasionally I have more than one. I'm blessed that R's schedule allows him to help. He frequently starts dinner. Most of the time, he's home to greet CJ after school and they have about an hour to unwind before I get home from work. I make an effort to come straight home from work, which means I often use my lunch hour to run errands.

I get off work early on Fridays, and use that time for grocery shopping and appointments. For the most part, cleaning and seasonal chores are reserved for Saturdays. I just don't have the time or energy during the week!

I'm a control freak planner, so I keep my eye on the weeks...but I've found that my life works better when I focus my energy on the daily routines. Taking each day as it comes. Accomplishing what I can. Reminding myself that the world won't come to an end if something doesn't get checked off my list. I'm convinced it's what Jesus wants for my life, and for yours.

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

~Matthew 6:34 (AMP)

Next up...restful Sundays.

The Balancing Act: Laundry

Another stumbling block in the search for balance has been laundry. If you have more than one child, you're probably thinking I have no right to complain about laundry for just three people...but it's my blog & I can complain if I want.

My problem wasn't the small number of people in my family. It was the large amount of clothing for said people. For example, if CJ fussed because she never seemed to have any socks or underwear clean, I'd just buy more socks and underwear. It seemed logical. Sadly, it never occurred to me that I should do laundry more often...it was one of those things I just put off as long as I could. The more I kept buying, the easier procrastination became. My rationale was that, as long as we had clean clothes, there was no need to wash what was dirty. The piles of dirty clothes would get taller and taller.

Finally, when I had no other choice, I would start washing clothes. Because I had so much to do, I'd just wash and dry. Folding & putting away were not high on my priority list. Besides, I didn't have space to put it all. I was left with piles of clean clothes and piles of dirty clothes. I could always tell the difference...but I was the only one.

When I started purging last year, excess clothing was high on my list. I did ALL of the laundry, and looked at what we had. I got rid of a lot. A LOT. It's an ongoing process. When I swapped seasonal clothing this fall, I purged from both summer and winter clothing. I hope to do that with every season change. If it doesn't fit (or we just don't wear it), I take it to consignment. If we've worn it out, I throw it away.

Now, there are no piles of clean clothes. The piles of dirty clothes are smaller and easier to tackle. I'm more apt to stay on top of things because: (1) I know we don't have much to spare, and (2) putting away what we do have is much easier.

Some other practical tips I've picked up along the way:

~R and I have three clothes bins in our bedroom. We sort the clothes when we take them off. HUGE timesaver! CJ only has room for one hamper, but sorting her items isn't so bad.

~My washing machine has a timer. It's one of the greatest inventions ever. Many nights, I put a load in before I go to bed and set the timer so that it runs just before I get up. After my quiet time, I put the clothes in the dryer. I wait to fold them when I get home (these are non-wrinkle items!). I also throw in a load before I go to work, and set the time so that it runs just before I get home. They're ready to go in the dryer when I come in, and I try to fold them right after dinner. Often times, I fold laundry as morning "quiet chore". Still, I never have more than two loads to fold at a time.

~I use 2 empty baskets when folding. One for items to go to CJ's room/bathroom. Another for ours. Everyone's responsible for putting away their own clothing (well, most of the time).

~I keep a few hangers in the laundry room. When I know I'm not going to get to folding a load for a while, I can easily take out the shirts and pants that will wrinkle, and hang them up right away.

Taming the laundry monster wasn't as hard as I thought. Now that it's manageable, I don't mind doing laundry at all. I can fold clothes while I watch TV or CJ does her homework. Not having to search for clean clothing is yet another valuable ministry to my family, and has made our home more peaceful.

If you've got some good laundry tips, feel free to share in the comments. I'd love to read them.

Next time: finding a daily schedule you can live with.

The Balancing Act: Comfort Zones

Comfort zones. We all have them. Mine is a green sofa that we bought from a dear friend. She rues the day she let it out of her grasp, so I let her have visitation rights whenever she wants.

But more than that particular piece of heaven furniture, our living room/kitchen are the center of comfort in our home. This one open room is where we spend most of our time...reading, watching tv, reading, playing board games, and reading (well, some of us more than others). When this area of the house is messy, it affects all three of us in a negative way. It's tough to flop on a couch piled high with unfolded laundry, or do homework on a bar loaded with dirty dishes. In the old days, the coffee table and end tables served as nothing more than a place to hold things I didn't want to put away. Shoes, magazines, newspapers, you name it...it could probably be found in our living room.

I've learned that taking a few minutes every night to concentrate on this area of our home pays big dividends. As long the living room/kitchen are clean, it doesn't matter what the rest of the house looks like...we function better as a family. We relax more, laugh more, enjoy each other more. When I have my morning quiet time, I'm more at ease because my surroundings are peaceful.

I admit, there are days when I'm just too tired to deal with it. Still, even when I skip a day, I'm surprised to find how quickly I can restore order. (Again, decluttering was the springboard!)

What room/rooms serves as your family's comfort zone? If you think about it, I bet there's one spot that says "home" to you more than another. Perhaps it's your bedroom, a playroom, or the kitchen. Ask your family what room they enjoy most when it's clean. Then concentrate on that room. Even if you don't have time to vacuum and dust often, keep it tidy (if you have small children, invest in inexpensive baskets for quick toy storage). 15 minutes a day is all it takes to make a noticeable difference in the life of your family. And aren't they worth it?

The Balancing Act: Organization

Continuing my thoughts on balance...

The key to enjoying peace and simplicity in my home has been organization. I've had a love/hate relationship with organizing my home. I would start out with great plans and visions of grandeur. Being an all-or-nothing gal, I'd have an elaborate plan to get everything just so, only to find I couldn't keep up. So, I'd do the next best thing...and shut down. I justified my lack of organization by telling myself that I was doing the best that a woman with two jobs and a shift-working husband could do.

I was wrong, and God called my bluff.

Trying to find things, scrounging around for clean clothes to wear, and never having enough storage were wearing me down. I realized the need for change, and started reading books about simplifying. I got good ideas from several sources, and started to implement them. Some worked and some didn't. I finally determined to organize my home in a way that made sense for my family. These are a few of my favorite ideas. Maybe one will work for you, or lead you to finding something that will work for your family.

Plasticware - My containers threatened to overtake my largest cabinet. Putting the left-overs away was such a chore, because it took 5 minutes to find the matching lid. I pulled everything out and immediately threw away bowls with no lids (and vice versa). I looked at what was left, and kept ONE container of each size and shape for food storage. (I do have quite a few mini-bowls, because they work well for packing condiments, applesauce, etc. for lunch.) I put everything I kept in 2 inexpensive baskets on a shelf. One basket holds containers for leftovers, and the other holds the pieces we use to pack meals for school & work. Finding a container & matching lid takes 10 seconds. I don't spend much time stacking them either...the baskets do a great job of keeping everything in one place & hiding the mess!

Honestly, at first I worried that I would miss all those extra containers, but I haven't. In fact, I find we throw fewer leftovers away. When I had so many containers, it was easy to just store everything in the fridge. Some things would get shoved to the back, forgotten. Now, I realize when my available containers are getting low.

Paperwork - my primary nemesis! I tried organizing bills very specifically. It didn't work for me. I found a solution that I blogged about here. I don't keep up with it as much as I should...but even three months of filing only takes me an hour using this system.

Laundry - I could devote an entire post to how I tamed the laundry beast. In fact, I will later in this series. For now, I will just say that it started with a clothing purge. Getting rid of extra clothes has made it easier to keep up with the laundry, find the things I really love to wear, and store what we have.

Calendar - I cannot function without a calendar. I've tried several different things (but nothing as detailed as Joanne's!) before finding what works for my family. It's similar to what Joanne & Lisa use. I use the Palm program on my computer for our calendar (including R's work schedule), my "to do" list, and our menus. I print it out & put it on the side of our fridge, so we can check it throughout the week. There's always enough space to write in anything that pops up. We're color-coded on the computer & the Palm, but the colors don't show on the printout. I use different highlighters for each of us.

I like my Palm because I can set alarms for my tasks, which is great when I forget to check the calendar. The only tasks I put into the Palm are big things, like deadlines & due dates. For the day-to-day errands, I still use index cards. I don't have the time or energy to put every single thing into my Palm. Besides, I still like to check things off.


Finally, I can't say enough how important it is to establish a place for everything. Be sure everyone understands where items should be stored. I've saved a lot of time (and earned a lot of brownie points!) by being able to find things quickly and easily.


The bottom line is that the organization of your home should be practical for your family. Don't feel intimated by someone else's meticulous method! Consider your personality, as well as your family's. Be realistic. It may take a while to find what works, but don't give up. I promise you, it's worth the effort.

*Next up: making the most of your comfort zone

Balancing Act: Part 1

My friend Lisa & I think a lot alike. Seems whatever she blogs about has been on my heart for a while. A couple of weeks ago, she posted about her struggle to find balance. It's something I've been fighting for as long as I can remember. In fact, God and I have been conversing about it practically on a daily basis this past year.

When I began concentrating on finding peace and simplicity, I had a vision of what my life would be like at the end of the year. Through God's working, some of that vision has been realized. Other aspects are still in progress, and still others have been abandoned in favor of God's direction. A good example of the latter is my morning quiet time.

Last August, I was convicted about the time I spent (or didn't spend) with the Lord. I started getting up at 5:30 so that God and I could have an hour alone, then I'd spend 15 minutes folding laundry or cleaning the kitchen before starting to get ready for the day. This schedule worked well, except for the one week each month when R is on day shift. He gets up at 5:45, and my quiet time wasn't very quiet. I admit, I haven't been quiet as I've battled disappointment and frustration during those weeks. I was selfish with my time with God, and didn't want anyone to interrupt it.

Thankfully, the Lord broke through the legalism to show me that being a loving wife is just as important as spending time with Him. During the most recent week of day shift, I slept in 15 minutes and got up with R at 5:45. I spent time talking with him, getting his lunch ready, and even folding laundry before he left for work. My quiet time was cut in half, but my spirit was more settled. God reminded me that it isn't about the amount of time I spend with Him, but rather the quality of that time. What did it matter if I spent an hour with Him, if my heart wasn't right with Him? I freed myself from expectations that weren't realistic during the week of day shift. This slight change led me to an even bigger realization.

I am responsible for the peace and simplicity in my home.

R has a strenuous schedule. His shift swings from week to week. It's more difficult for him and CJ than it is for me. For him...trying to sleep at odd hours, spend time with us, and minister as he's called can be quite challenging given the constraints of his job. For CJ...sometimes not knowing if Daddy's coming or going, not seeing him as much as she'd like (she's a true Daddy's Girl), and trying to be quiet when he's sleeping are equally as challenging. I am the constant, but I must be flexible enough to do whatever it takes to keep R and CJ on an even keel. I must put my own agenda aside to listen to their needs (spoken and unspoken) and keep things running smoothly in our home. It won't be a haven for my family otherwise. Considering the world around us, we desperately need our home to be a place of peace, rest, and security. The place we long to be more than any other on earth.

This is my calling. My privilege. My work. I'm only sorry I didn't figure this out 15 years ago...or at least when CJ was born 10 years ago!

I hope that sharing more about how I'm finding balance in my life, I'll encourage others who find themselves in this same struggle. For the next few posts, I'll try to do just that.

Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 3:13-15 HCSB

Just What I Needed

After my recent rant in my last post, I promise this one will be more upbeat. God is so incredibly good! He has poured Himself out on me until I am overflowing with His love and grace.

~On our 3-hour ride home from a football game Saturday night, my man and I kept each other company by discussing what God's doing in our lives and in the lives of the youth of our church. We kicked around ideas to help him build relationships with the young men in his class, and how I can minister to the young ladies in mine. Talking about the Lord for nearly the entire time was so special. R even told me last night how much fun it was. I agree. There's no one I'd rather "talk Jesus" with than my wonderful husband.

~I may have mentioned the girls' Bible study a time or twenty. Yesterday I got hugs from many of the girls...several who specifically sought me out for just that purpose. God keeps speaking to me through this group of young women, as well as the adults in their lives. I can't believe He would allow me this privilege, and I honestly do count it one. I am so humbled that He chose me for this service, and indescribably grateful that I listened to His call.

~Not only did I get hugs from my girls yesterday. Jesus loved on me through a 2-year old who ran at me with top speed so he could hug my neck for dear life, a precious 3-year old girl who makes me smile every time I think of her, and older members of my church family who are some of the finest Christians I know. He knew I'd been feeling downcast, and just rained down His love on me. It was overwhelming.

~We enjoyed the Sabbath. A nap, homemade baked potato soup, board games, and football. It was a wonderfully relaxing day that recharged my batteries. I wrote notes to my care group, and even drafted a couple of book reviews that will be coming to 5 Minutes for Books in the near future.

There is still laundry to be folded, emails to write, dishes to be washed, and paperwork to tackle. Yet I can face it now with a peace and joy that only my Jesus can give.

Praying His peace on you today, dear friends.

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

~John 14:27 (AMP)

In Need of a Sabbath

It's October 4th. Wow. September is a blur, and that usually doesn't happen for me until later in the Fall. Yet here I am, wondering where the last few weeks have gone.

School started, and CJ has done so well. She's exceeded our expectations, and is having a wonderful year (until yesterday, which she proclaimed to be the worst.day.ever!) The difference between 4th grade and 5th grade is HUGE. She's getting herself ready without much prodding, reading without my nagging, and being way more responsible than I ever imagined. She's also branching out socially. Making new friends and going to "middle school madness" at our local YMCA. She will be 10 on Tuesday. I am not ready for this.

God is blowing my socks off in the youth Bible study. More than 20 girls each week...laughing, sharing struggles & triumphs, and GETTIN' INTO THE WORD. It has been so much fun, and blessed me more than I ever thought possible. Why didn't I get involved with the youth before now?

Yet with all the good going on, I've been under a cloud of apathy. I just can't seem to get motivated. The house is clean & decorated for fall (though I am coveting Jill's turkey platter), but beyond that...nothing.

~I've read a little, but it's been so long since I've given Jennifer a review for 5 Minutes for Books, she probably thinks I've slipped into the Atlantic Ocean.

~I'm not focusing on work as I should be.

~I haven't done anything to minister to my Sunday School care group.

~I've not responded to the sweet comments on my blog lately, and I feel like a heel about that.

~The attic still isn't finished.

I'll stop there, lest my ranting slides into a full-blown pity party. Late this week, I had the A-HA moment...when I finally figured out why I couldn't seem to care less about life around me. I haven't had a true Sabbath in several weeks. We've had commitments other than church. Good things, but they've taken away my day of rest...a day my soul needs just as much as my body.

For much of my married life, Sunday was "church and errand" day. Since I work outside the home, I spent most of Saturday was cleaning (when I was surrounded by clutter, it took much longer to clean the house), which gave me no choice but to grocery shop and run other errands on Sunday. I never realized what I was doing to myself and my family by not setting Sunday apart as a day of rest and restoration. Upon Joanne's advice, I became intentional about making Sunday the Sabbath. No chores, errands or obligations. Just worship, rest, dinner on the china, and family time.

I've let circumstances dictate my Sabbath for the past few weeks, and I'm taking it back. I need it back. Regardless of what doesn't get done today, I am not doing it tomorrow. I repeat, I. am. not. doing. it. tomorrow.

It's not just my act of worship to God, it's His gift to me.

Narrowing My Focus

Monday I prayed for the Lord to narrow my focus to see only Him. Today's reading in Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life

We do not focus on Christ accidentally. We need to be intentional about it, or we will become scattered and distracted.

The recurring theme in my walk with God this past year has been that my days...my life...is supposed to be about Him.

Throughout the course of each day, many things clamor for my attention. Some good. Some not-so-good. My own sinful heart can't determine what's important and what's not. I have a difficult time looking past my own agenda to see God's. In the noisiness of my life, I can't hear what God's trying to say.

That's why it's become so important...crucial, really...for me to rise early and spend time with the Lord.

As my dear friend Joanne said so eloquently here

I don't want to face even one hour of my day without having first spent time with him. Time with Jesus makes all the difference. I know--because I've done it both ways and there's just no comparison.

Amen, sister!

I'd been finding excuses on and off all summer for getting up at 5:30. I trudged through my days, spinning my wheels and wondering why I wasn't getting anywhere despite my efforts. God has reminded me (yet again) that searching beyond Him is futile at best, and quite destructive at worst. Peace and simplicity aren't gained by accident. They are the reward of intentionally allowing Him to order my days from the moment I wake.

Very early the next morning, Jesus got up and went to a place where
he could be alone and pray.
~Mark 1:35 (CEV)

Phrase for the Day

Read this in Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life. Love, love, LOVE it:

Ruthlessly eliminate hurry

That, dear friends, is my new quest!

Food for Thought

Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life by Keri Wyatt Kent is going to be another life-changer! The introduction spoke volumes to me already.

...the pace of our lives has profound implications upon the depth of our lives...It's not just that hurry makes us stressful. It's that when we hurry, we lose touch with God and all He wants to give us. [slowing down the pace] allows you to be fully present, to be mindful, to be intentional, to create space, and to notice where God is working and join Him in that work.

(emphasis mine)

What I've known all along, but couldn't articulate.

There's good stuff coming my friends...and you know I'll be sharing it with you!

Affirmation

Last time, I told you that I want God's best. The next day, I read:

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat from the best of the land.

~Isaiah 1:19 (NIV)

This most recent change hasn't been easy, but I can already see His best springing forth.

Praying that He does the same for you, my friends.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I'm coming up on the home stretch in the year of peace and simplicity. Just a few precious months left, though I know this will be a lifelong quest. I don't want to get complacent and revert back to the chaos.

Clutter
Has
Authority
Over this
Sister

As I've shared many, many times...God has done an incredible work. So much so that routine and organization are comforts to me now. I find I don't function well in the busy-ness and messiness that once ruled my life. I can't go non-stop like I used to. I don't even want to. I crave calm, coziness, and home.

Even greater...things don't hold much appeal for me anymore. And the books (you remember the book sacrifice, don't you?)...when I'm done reading, I immediately pack them in my church bag for donation to the library. I am over being controlled by anything other than the Lord.

Which brings me to an area I've struggled with for quite some time. Blogging. I started blogging in hopes of developing a ministry. A big ministry, to be honest. I've been nearly consumed with numbers and comments, all while ignoring the ministry possibilities blogging has afforded me. I've realized that if I concentrate on relationships rather than responses, I can have a ministry of eternal worth. As with many other things, blogging is taking on a different role in my life.

I've been called to invest in the lives of others...my family, friends, certain members of my church family, the youth, and even some bloggers. I can't invest wisely if I've spent the majority of my efforts on things that don't bring the best reward. A good reward isn't good enough. I want God's best. I'm ashamed to say how many times I've settled for less.

So, I will be seen less around the blogosphere, more in the lives of those God has placed in my path...both personally and through cyberspace. And you know what? I feel a great peace about this change.

It's that simple.

Just For Today

It's recently come to my attention that all of the areas of struggle in my life come down to one thing: self-control. If I had more of it, my life wouldn't be nearly as messy. I've got a strategy to get things cleaned up, but it's a little overwhelming. For example, thinking about funding my trip to Peru is too much to handle all at once. Losing weight...same thing. My brain just doesn't want to go there.

It's wonderful to have goals, and I have set some. I just have to keep reminding myself I can't get there in a day, and I don't have to.

Easier said than done. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of gal.

The Lord recently reminded me of Matthew 6:34:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

If I'm going to successfully lose weight, save money for Peru, finish the decluttering and other various projects, I have to focus on today. Yesterday is done, and tomorrow isn't here. I need only exercise self-control today.

You see, if I stop and think about sacrificing say, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or the newest Vera Bradley, for the next 6 months (or longer), I'll just want them all the more. When I realize I just have to give them up for today, I can do that (well, usually). When I slip, I think about it today only. By tomorrow, it will be yesterday & I won't be able to do a thing about it. I can let my mistakes go & move on, rather than rehashing them over and over while telling myself I'm nothing more than a failure.

Think about it. The "Just for Today" approach will work with anything...food, money, relationships, housework, time with God. It will help me live victoriously through Him, rather than becoming so easily frustrated & discouraged about things I can't control. I believe frustration & discouragement are two of the enemy's most powerful weapons against believers, and I'm tired of letting him win.

So, I started a Daily Goals Notebook with Matthew 6:34 written inside the front cover. During my quiet time each morning, I will pray about what the Lord wants me to accomplish that day and write it down. I know that He won't give me more than I can do. He will show me what's needed. It's His agenda rather than my own. From the household chores I tackle to the ministry opportunities I accept, I'm giving it all to Him. The things I want to do, and even the things I think should do, don't get done until I've finished what's on the list. Self-control.

I'm praying I can keep this up. That my life will be vastly different when I leave for Peru. And that I'll be able to look back and see how I got there...one day at a time.

I'm Still Going

It's been a while since I've posted about my pursuit of peace & simplicity this year. I've spent a lot of time focused on the simplicity part of this journey. It was easy to see the physical changes taking place. The soul and spirit transformations have been a little tougher to put my finger on, but they are there nonetheless.

Here's the update:

~Physical Clutter - not much going on. I've gone through the majority of the house & the attic. I plan to finish those up this fall. After pushing myself to the limit earlier in the year, I needed a break. Summer was the perfect time to relax a bit. I have found, though, that since I have cleared out so much clutter, I get antsy when things start to clutter up again. I'm much better about cleaning out as I go. Realistically, I may not finish everything in 2008, and I'm okay with that. It's going to be an ongoing process. I want to get to the point of just having to do maintenance instead of major projects, but I'm not going to work myself into a frenzy to get there.

~Temporal Clutter - I've been trying to spend my time more wisely. TV hasn't been a problem (until the Olympics!) Perhaps I'm reading more than I should, and I'm trying to strike a balance there that will keep everyone in the family happy. Then there's the whole not-overscheduling-myself thing! Although I still struggle with this a little, I'm giving myself permission to have white space on my calendar. It is freeing, indeed. I keep reminding myself that a full calendar doesn't translate into a full life. In fact, for me, it's quite the opposite.

~Relational Clutter - This has been a biggie lately, though I didn't see it that way at first. As I posted here, this summer I ran smack into my need for love and acceptance. I want people to like me. Not necessarily a bad thing, but being driven by it led me to serving God based upon the praise and expectations of others (or, more accurately, what I thought others were expecting of me). I wanted to use my gifts/talents to honor the Lord, but I was bent on teaching Sunday School because others have said I have the gift of teaching. I might argue that point, particularly in light of the whole speaking/serving revelation. You see, I'm a communications major. I've competed in and won speaking competitions. I should be able to speak well. I know that He called me into teaching several years ago, but it doesn't mean I'm to camp out there permanently. I was allowing my relationships with others to take precedence over my relationship with My Father. (Please hear me when I saw this was all MY doing...not anyone else's!) Once I stopped worrying what others would think and stopped fighting against God's leading, the peace that passes all understanding washed over me. I've been renewed and energized. The weight of frustration and depression has been lifted, and I can breathe again.

Clearing out the clutter - physical, temporal & relational - has led to peace. Beautiful, wonderful peace. Reading over my posts during this year, I see the threads of the Holy Spirit woven throughout. He's speaking peace over me, and it's the sweetest thing I've ever known.

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him)--but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.

~Psalm 85:8 (AMP)

As Deep as it Gets (for now)

CJ started summer daycamp this week. At the beginning of each summer, she has to pass a swim test before she's allowed in the deep end of the pool. Pretty easy for a former swim team member. Still, she really doesn't like having to take the test. She feels she's proven herself already. Why go through it again?

I've been asking myself the same question. I've been working hard these past months to change my life...my family's life...and it's still not done. I think I'm getting there, and another obstacle pops up out of nowhere. Another test to pass, deeper waters to navigate. Maybe that's what life really is...a series of tests. Some we pass with flying colors and others trip us up before we're out of the blocks.

When I look back at the progress I've made during the first half of my pursuit of peace and simplicity, I am amazed by what God's done. I'm also frustrated that we're not further (farther?) along. Part of me thought that it might all be finished by now, yet I have the distinct feeling that the upcoming part of the journey is going to be much bumpier than the first half.

Falling to the depths...stripping everything away and letting it go...was scary. Leaving it there and climbing back up the mountain...learning to live life without all the excess baggage...will be exhausting & perhaps even excruciating. Yet uphill I must go.

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

-Higher Ground
Lyrics by Johnson Oatman, Jr.