Home Tips (P1)

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

The word prudent that is used in the verse above has a LONG meaning in the Bible. Here is the link for further study: click here. The dictionary meaning for prudent is "wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober."

I'm still growing in the Lord and ever learning, but I'd like to share with you my tips for the home. These are little things that I've learned that have helped me to keep a clean, orderly and happy home.

#1 Depend on God.

Whenever you need help, ask God to give you wisdom and insight. (Pro. 21:30)  Need to know the best plan for that test or work project, ask God. Need to know how to organize your drawers, ask God. Need to know how to soothe your child to sleep, ask God. I know it's seems silly to ask God for help for trivial things, but honestly, He wants to help and will provide the best answer. (James 1:5)

#2 Set time aside for God's Word.

The success of an orderly and happy home is dependent on your time with God. Every day, when my children are napping, I read my Bible and afterwards do my blog. Because I dedicate that time to Him, God responds by helping me care for my home. (Luke 10:39)

#3 Have a Command Center.

Because life is busy and hectic for wives and moms, command centers are a blessing. They have a way of keeping things balanced and scheduled. 

Since a daily schedule for the family is important, I wrote about mine here: click here.
I have a three month schedule on the cork board that I print from online. I put Birthdays, events, special days, and memories on it. This helps me keep track of things coming up. I put the bills due on the board as a quick reminder. On the table, I have a notepad and pens for notes. I put bills and coupons into the mail filer. I have a piggy bank for change. Inside the cabinet is cookbooks. This corner has been perfect for my family's command center. :D 

(This movable cabinet was purchased at a garage sale for $10 dollars and yes, I prayed for it.)

#4 Have a Weekly Goals & Meals board.


The first picture is my general goals on a white board. It helps me stay motivated during the day and to look ahead at things needing to get done. :) 

The Paper magnetic notepad is a dollar at Target. I use it for my grocery/shopping list. :)

The second picture is of my meal ideas. I use this for reference, planning and organizing my meals. I try to update both of these boards on a Sunday afternoon or late Monday night. It was a plain white board that I used scrapbook stickers on.

As you can see, I love white boards! :) (I bought these at Fred Meyers for $5 dollars each.)


TO BE CONTINUED...

I'll continue my tips another day. Hope these few first tips gives you encouragement in organizing and managing your home better. Enjoy! :)

Shattered

"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." Luke 12:2-3 KJV

Short Story:

One of my daughters tried to grab something off the top of the bookshelf which she was not suppose to do causing the picture on top to sway and fall to the ground. Shattering into a million pieces, my husband and I did our very best to clean, vacuum, and carefully get rid of all the pieces we could find. Then, I started to imagine of this fake scenario; what if, a few months from now, my daughter walks around and steps on a piece of small (never noticed or found) glass. What if, she gets infected from it and... ends up having more problems.

Sin Revealed:

We like hiding our sin and problems. We don't like it when we have to face our faults and shortcomings. Reproof is uncomfortable and challenging. It's easier to make it seem like they don't exist, yet eventually like the glass that was hiding, it will be revealed and cause even more problems. (Joshua 7, James 1:15)

So what is the correct response to our sin and faults?

The Biblical Response:

#1 Do not lie. Be honest with God and others. (Lev. 19:11, Psalm 119:163, Pro. 6:17-19) Dishonesty will not help you or give you inner peace. (Jer. 7:8)

#2 Confess your faults. Admit what you did wrong. Seek forgiveness from God and man. (James 5:16, Matt. 6:14-15, Psalm 86:5)

#3 Seek/Heed godly counsel, continue to meet weekly, obey the requests. Have a submissive spirit. (1 Peter 5:5, 2 Chro. 10:8, Prov. 11:14, Hebrews 13:17)

#4 Get rid of the problem areas (stop going places you shouldn't, stop being around those who influence you do to wrong, etc). (Prov. 1:10, Psalm 1) Set up boundaries to protect yourself. Avoid the appearance of evil. (1 Thes. 5:22) Get the bad and the ugly out of your life.

#4 Continue to do what's right. Read your Bible every day and take notes/study it! (2 Tim. 2:15) Pray and have a prayer journal. (1 Thes. 5:17) Meditate on scripture and hid it in your heart. (Psalm 119) Have friends who draw you closer to Christ and encourage you to do what's right. (Gal. 5:13, 1 John 4:7) Put what's good in! :D (Pro. 4:23, Phil. 4:7-8)

The Result:

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. (Deuteronomy 30:15 KJV)

Today, you can either do what's right and have inner peace and prosperity or you can do what's evil and have plans fail or turmoil within. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

How will you choose to deal with your sin?