Our World Revolved Around God

Housekeeping can be both therapeutic and stressful, depending on the stage of life you find yourself in. To my way of thinking, keeping up with the house becomes a bit more of a challenge once family members begin to multiply. At times we need a little guidance; this is what has been helping me along the way.

“ The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish ones tear hers down.” Proverbs 14:1 NIV.

This bible verse I take into literal sense in many aspects in my household, including housekeeping. When I am keeping up with my home, my perspective is that I am building. Building discipline, cleanliness, and organization skills in my home.

Housekeeping involves doing numerous things, and one of those things is cleaning!. One must admit, cleaning everyday is quite literally a job. From personal experience, having a messy home can take a toll, it doesn’t make me feel welcomed in my home. I decided to set a REALISTIC routine.

Sometimes we want to do more than we actually can, which in a way it’s not wrong but being realistic is healthier in the long run. Everyday cleaning for me looks like this: Make my bed, tidy the bedroom, clear out the nightstand, (I wouldn’t have ever imagined the things that accumulate on a nightstand in one day). Do the dishes (typically once to twice a day; depends how motivated I feel), wipe down stove/countertops. Tidy the bathroom, wipe down the sink.

A favorite cleaning sprays is one made by a well known cleaning tiktoker named Vanessa Amaro. In an empty spray bottle add water, bleach and gain detergent; I typically use it to wipe down surfaces. I also consider this spray for my everyday cleaning as I am not deep cleaning.

One thing I love to do while cleaning is declare blessings over my family, it might sound crazy, but I see it as this; while I’m picking up my room I’m declaring over my marriage, as I’m picking up my kids room I’m prophesying over their future, as I’m picking up in the living room I’m declaring love and unity in our family over any circumstance, while I clean the kitchen I’m declaring over our finances and our household needs. With this, I’m not saying I’m going into full blown prayer mode, but, keeping the Lord in the midst always.

As previously mentioned, housekeeping involves a lot more like, cleaning, cooking, laundry, managing bills, budgeting for the family, etc.. as overwhelming things may seem Jesus exhorts us “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV.

Are there days when i don’t feel like following my routine? Yes! But I’ve learned to push myself. When we are not disciplined things tend to crumble. In the moments that I am feeling overwhelmed keeping up with my home, I always remember this verse; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6. It is easy to get caught up in housekeeping because it is a job that doesn’t stop, it just keeps you going. In the midst of it all, I remind myself to give God the glory, give him thanks, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise —the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15. Many times, thanksgiving will be sacrificial, but this ensures a continual praise to God throughout the day.

Along the way I’ve learned, not everyday will work out the way I think it will. Not everyday will look the same, some days are harder than others but one things for sure, God never changes! How great is it that whom we rely on is everlasting, never changing. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV. I am a firm believer in nurturing the home and setting a language. I pray to God everyday for His Spirit to guide me, I pray that my family’s language is praise and thanksgiving. I pray for wisdom in everything that we do, I pray that while we’re keeping up with our houses, we don’t forget Him ever!.

Life moves quickly, our abilities help us live our day to day. As humans we may feel that were running because of what we can do, but truly, its the strength of God; even on the day you when you’re not the most positive, even on the day you did not do much thanksgiving because that is the Love of God, although we fail him daily, he continues to stretch out his hands and help us along the way.

God, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for allowing us to nurture our homes, i ask you to continue giving everyone the wisdom and knowledge to manage their everyday. May you continue giving strength, without you God we cannot live right. We ask for your presence to be with us as you were with Moses “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14. May your favor continuously be over our lives and our family, that where you lead, we follow. We want to be the kind of worshippers you seek, a true worshipper that worships you in Spirit and in truth. Help us love you more everyday, teach us to keep you in the middle of it all. Thank you for everything. In Jesus name i pray, Amen.

Blessings!

– Aianna M.