“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Laura Ingalls Wilder once said, “Home is the nicest word there is.” As I read that quote one day, it resonated with my soul! Maybe it does for you too. It can either resonate with us in a longing, or something hoped for, or in a way that reassures and reminds us of what we have. Take a moment to pray, thanking God for your home. Allow Him to speak to you today. Ask Him to give you a heart that is teachable.
The balance of making our home feel like a place of rest while also running our home to make sure it doesn’t burst out of control is, for sure, the struggle of homemaking! I have heard Mary and Martha’s story in the Bible many times. While Martha busied herself with the demands of the household and serving her guests, Mary chose the more important thing, to sit at Jesus’ feet. The thing that always gets me, though, is what about the times when you really do need to check things off that task list? Am I always supposed to be a Mary? When Jesus said that Mary’s way was “better,” He wasn’t saying we should never take care of our households, but He was really recognizing her heart! Our to-do list does need to be honored. And honestly, I find that my family is truly happier when our home is clean! And someone has got to make it happen! So, what is the balance?
We shift our focus. Move the compass of our home to Jesus! Start every day by telling God, “Lord, I commit this day to you.” We are to invite Jesus into all of the spaces and systems of our homes. Go about your work, but ask Him to nudge you in all the right directions. Truly commit your day to Him! Some days, a clean home would absolutely bless your family. I have done a surprise clean a time or two in each of my kids’ rooms and they were so grateful! Other times, I have felt nudged by the Holy Spirit to, no joke, push the mess aside into a corner, and read aloud to my kids at bedtime. One thing is for sure, if you invite Jesus into your home, into your to-do list, He will make your paths straight! Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Be careful not to bind yourself to your running t0-d0 list! Our value does not come from checking off every item on our list, but rather for caring for the hearts of those around us! When we let Jesus guide us, we find freedom. Freedom from the fear of making sure to have the “perfect” home for guests, freedom from the sense of control that we feel as if everything is in “just the right place.” These things are strongholds that do not produce freedom as we live in Christ and for Christ, but they actually make us feel sad, overwhelmed, and disappointed when everything isn’t in order. Our children are made to be messy. To be explorers. To take on the world as a place of adventure! It’s no wonder our homes reflect this!
I will end with this. A dear friend was coming over to my house one day, and I sent a quick little “disclaimer” text that my house would be messy—so look out! Haven’t we all done this before? She responded with, “Perfect. Then I’ll feel right at home.” It blessed my heart so much! I decided that was the mindset I wanted to have going forward. By prioritizing people over perfection, we can display a heart like Mary, reflecting the very essence of Jesus!
Pray with me…
“Oh Lord, we are always striving. Most of us feel that we are too often falling short in the race of life…in the race of motherhood and homemaking! God, You see us. You see all of our efforts. You see the room that was cleaned while another was being destroyed that very moment. You laugh with us, You sympathize with us, and You know how our perfectionism and sin nature get in the way when we want to do good. Thank You for being a loving Father to us—one that does not condemn but comforts. One who can do more than we can imagine or hope for when we simply ask! Jesus, help us remember to commit each day to You. And in doing so, help us to be a blessing to our families and to those around us. And ultimately, let us draw our hearts closer to You and let our lives be filled with Your joy! In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”
Have a Talk with God:
Listen to the worship song “Inside Out” by Hillsong. As you listen, close your eyes, and try to see how God can fill every crack and crevice in your life so your heart can be more closely in tune with His Holy Spirit! Ask God to reveal to you hidden places of your heart that He needs to fill with His power and love. Let this be a sweet time with your Savior, and allow Him to do His life-changing work in your life!
Love,
Krystle and the Help Club for Moms Team
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