She believed she could so she did (and she will do). Have we taken this to heart or passed it off as inspirational fluff? I believe there are definite steps to accomplish what we are called to do. We must believe it is possible, we must believe that we can, and then we must take action. We are now at the action step. Did is the past tense of do meaning:
- To perform an act, duty, role, etc.
- To execute a piece or amount of work
- To accomplish; finish; complete
God reassures us in His word that we not only can but he instructs in the attitude with which we should approach our work. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” (Colossians 3:23) “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24) “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
Do you realize that it is not really about what you can do but about what He can do through you?
Be strong and courageous
God says this to the Israelites ELEVEN times so it must be very important! In Joshua 3:5, Joshua told the people, “Consecrate/Sanctify/Purify yourselves [for His purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things/wonders/great miracles among you.” It is time to start moving forward in preparation for and fulfillment of what God wants to do for and through you. How do you prepare (“consecrate/sanctify/purify”) yourself for the service that God has called you to do?
- Follow God’s principles for physical health and strength. (Proverbs 3:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
- Study God’s Word for HIS plan and calling for you. (Ezra 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:15)
- Develop the discipline of prayer for relationship with God gaining strength that only comes from Him for ministry to others. (Colossians 4:2-4)
- Study the lives of Biblical women and Godly women of history, and apply yourself to develop godly character traits. (Ruth, Esther, Deborah, Hannah, Susannah Wesley, Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael and so many more)
- Transition from the early stages of preparation into doing as God leads. (1 Samuel 3:19; Philippians 3:13-14)
- Recognize and acknowledge that doing comes out of being when you practice obedience to God. (Micah 6:8; James 1:23-25)
Please realize and remember your doing and calling as a working woman is two-fold. You are a homemaker called to create a place where heart, hope and hospitality thrive. But you are also a worker either in your own business or as an employee.
So, what now?
You believe you can and you want to do it. How do you know what to do next? In our context as working women who are homemakers at heart, do the next item on your priority list. As you completed your brain dump and established your morning and evening routines, there were additional items in your brain dump list that don’t fit into those routines. Those items are your next steps.
Recognize that you don’t have an overabundance of time at home and your first priority is the people in your home. What will impact them the most? I am confident in saying that getting even a small space in order will impact your whole household. Cluttered kitchen counters drive my husband crazy. He recognizes that because of space restraints some items need to be on the counter rather than in a cupboard or drawer. The solution was a tray that corralled the utensil crock, olive oil bottle, pepper grinders, and salt bowl in one small space. Now, he knows where those items will always be and there is room on the counter for food prep when he prepares a meal (we share meal prep duties). Simple task with impacting results.
One task at a time and not alone
Because you work full-time, inside or outside the home, you can’t create an entire house of calm, peaceful and organized spaces in one day or one weekend. In cooperation with your family or household members, make a plan to reach your goal. Decide together what spaces are the most important to organize first.
As your family has input into the organization plan, let them take ownership of the areas and tasks that they are able to organize and maintain. Just because you can and want to organize doesn’t mean that every area in the house must be organized by you. Children will need guidance but let them do what is age-appropriate in organizing their rooms and some household spaces. Click on this link for a great chart providing age-appropriate guidance for chores in the home. Clicking through my pin to the website gives further ideas for tracking chore completion.
Provide organizational tools
Provide the organizational tools to assist your children with their chores. When my boys were in preschool and their job was putting away the table utensils, I didn’t store flatware in a drawer that was out of their reach. My dad made a caddy that sat in the middle of our dining table. After removing unsafe objects, I would put the utensil rack from the dishwasher on the table, they would get on a chair and put the forks, spoons, table knives, and serving utensils in the correct caddy space. It was more a game than a chore.
Purchase or repurpose baskets, boxes, and containers so each bedroom has a hamper and a toybox or a chest for storing mementos for older kids. Every room in the house needs to have a trashcan. Hopefully, you can find wastebaskets that blend with your décor. Coat hooks serve to keep rooms neat when children are too short to reach closet rods and a simple tray or basket on the floor below the hooks provides a corral for shoes.
Shop in your garage and closets. You might be surprised by what you find amongst what you have already collected. If it doesn’t match the décor as you would like, paint it, cover it with fabric, or disguise it with another object i.e. set an ugly trash can inside a pretty basket. Don’t spend money if it is not necessary.
Blessing of organization
I’ve given you a lot to digest and act upon this week. However, I don’t want you to be overwhelmed but be inspired. I pray this blessing over you and your home.
Thank you for allowing me to share my heart for home!
