CONTROL

So I had a small meltdown yesterday. I have become passionate about getting my home organized and clean. I am reading blogs and studying up on what works for other families. I am loving it. The small problem is I am making it an idol. Cleaning was becoming something I could boast in, something I could control. So day by day my passion was turning into a burden. I would work so hard all day to only be over-tired and feeling like I did not accomplish much. So after a few days of hitting my head on a brick wall I decided to be still and see just what was behind my frustrations.

I want to be a good mother, homemaker, teacher and wife. It is my job and I want to do it well. Nothing is wrong with that. The question is whether or not am I putting more passion in these thing than I am in my relationship with my God. I work so hard to keep order in my home but how hard do I work to keep order in my heart? Having control on my housework helps me feel like I have control on something, but the fact is I don't have control of anything. God is the controller of all things, even my housework.

I have sought after good ideas but not ideas powered by the living God in me. Yes, He cares about me being a good mother, homemaker, teacher and wife. He wants to help me be excellent at those things, but He is not going to let me be great at these things on my own.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I want to bear fruit in the things I do at home. I want to remain in Jesus. I want to seek Him about my meal plan. I want Him to give me wisdom on how to keep the mound of laundry down. I want to feel His peace when thing in the home seem out of control. God wants to help me with this and I am so glad He does. I am honored that He has called me to be a stay at home mom. I want to do the very best job to bring glory to His name. My job is not some flashy conference that reaches thousands of people but it is a job that impacts my husband and children. God is so pleased with a woman that can see her importance in ministering to her family but He does not want us to think we can do it on our own. If we try to work in our on strength we will just keep hitting our heads against a brick wall. So get your home in order by letting God show you how!

Then take off to those awesome blogs and lay their ideas before God and ask Him, "Will this work for me and my family?" If so go for it, if not it is ok. What works for one may not work for another. That is why we are here to share what works for us in hopes that it may help another person out.

(Thank you to all the blogs that have helped me with their great ideas!)