day four

Well, I’m on Day Four of my grand spring clean fest.

I’m proud of myself for forging ahead, despite the many complications one encounters when tearing a house apart, training a toddler, blocking out sounds of a mad baby, and such. I tell myself that this is a good learning experience, and each year, I’ll get better at balancing all of these things (or feel less bad about locking the kids outside to play. …kidding!!) Whenever I have wanted to say, “Well, maybe I’ll just do one cleaning day a week for the next [umpteen] months,” my eyes wander over to the corner of the living room where my grand piano sits. And I notice that the floor in that farthest, bump-your-head-on-the-piano corner is gleaming. For the first time since I moved in, really. And wouldn’t you know, it makes the whole room feel so much bigger. Amazing what a little reflective sheen on hardwood can do for the soul.

So I plod on.

And Jameson happily squirts water and vinegar concoctions on every surface imaginable. And climbs the towers of couch cushions (flashback: wasn’t I just doing the same thing while Mom cleaned?) And bops the baby on the head because he’s bored and big brothers resort to such things when matchbox cars aren’t fun anymore.

(Cue cries from mad baby.)

In the back of my mind, there are the rumblings of Good Stuff. You know, Holy Spirit nudges. I like those.

Maybe by the time I’m done with cleaning ovens, lifting pianos, and being creeped out by lurking spiders, those nudges will be ready to actual thoughts. And I’ll share.

spring cleaning

This is my plan for the day — and for the next two weeks. I’ve been feeling the heavy weight of having no game plan when it comes to homemaking, and after crying in the shower one morning, too exhausted to even come up with a plan (let alone execute it), I found simplemom’s invitation to spring clean in my google reader.

While it’s not my first choice for getting on top of things (I was kind of hoping my mom would suddenly appear, kick us all out of bed one morning, and announce that it was turn-the-house-upside-down week, like she used to), it sure seemed like an answer to prayer.

Unfortunately, today is a toss-the-obvious-junk day, and I guess I’m too good at that, because I don’t have much just laying around. (While I don’t love everything about renting, I do appreciate knowing that I’m going to have to box this all up someday, because it helps me to streamline.) That’s okay. I’m sure the other days (like wipe-the-grime-from-your-kitchen day) will be a good kick in the rear. Yay!

So. Here’s to a jump start at routine and being the man with the plan (so to speak.)

sarah and peace

“Submission’s greatest enemy in our hearts is fear. Yes, we have to get over our stubbornness, our pride, our American feminist independence, our plain old preferences. But when it comes down to it, when the rubber meets the road, it’s fear that can completely do us in. I mean, let’s face it: we’re being asked to put our life on the line by a fallible man. That doesn’t sound very secure. And it’s not — except that God Himself is part of this equation, and He’s ready to defend those who walk in obedience to Him. [read more]

more on sarah

Sarah, part three:

Submission is not a crazy idea someone had back in the Stone Age (as if there was such a thing…) God Himself has ordained this authority thing, and has chosen to execute His plan for our lives through it. Yes, God’s plan for your life will come to pass as you embrace His call to follow and place yourself under the authorities in your life. Honestly, submission is really about obedience to God. It might seem crazy at times. (Or insane; ask Sarah!) But the question God is asking us is, Will you obey me in this? Why would God promise to lead and guide us and then tell us to submit unless He planned on guiding us through the structure of authority? God will not contradict himself; there is no way true joy for you lies in disobedience, and there’s no way His plan includes rebellion. (more)