Long awaited, this week's lesson was about Household Management. This is one of those chapters I could have used a long time ago, but God knew when to bring it into my life. It certainly could have been more in depth, but that would have made it much easier to fail. Most of us will benefit with just a point in the right direction.
But, this chapter includes more than just cleanliness in your home. Start with the 80/20 rule again. Divide your home into 10 zones and list them. Then, put a star next to the 20% of your home that causes 80% of your problems. Work on those two zones and you will make a huge impact on your chaos.
Next is the infamous clutter. Junk mail, catalogs, magazines, trinkets. The 80/20 rule works well here too, but also think about things that are outdated and unnecessary. Only keep things to pass down to future generations if they are things they want, ask them. Create a bin for these things and if you want to add items to it later, you have to take something else out. Suggested reading: The Messies Manual and Smart Organizing by Sandra Felton.
Cleaning supplies and chemicals are next. There are many ways these days to get back to the good ole days with cleaning supplies and any number of websites and product lines to help you do it. I won't go into that. However, Donna does recommend changing air filters monthly, leaving the home open (windows cracked, etc.) to prevent indoor air from becoming stale, washable pillow and mattress covers and hardwood floors over carpeting. Here's a surprising statement from her book: "I was alarmed when I learned that women who stay at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside of the home, according to a 17 year study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency. Poor indoor air quality...is a far more serious issue than most women realize." This day's reading also includes information on removing all chemical cleaning products from your home stating that accidental poisoning in the home is the second leading cause of death in children under five.
Fortunately, the next days' lesson focuses on shared responsibility in the home. Starting with Joshua 24:15 - But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Notice that it says "we" will serve the Lord. "Mom isn't the household servant...Part of the 'faithful instruction' that needs to be on our tongue is teaching our kids how to run a household so they'll know what to do when they leave home." I was shocked (pleasantly!) to hear this information: "...young adults who had participated in household chores when they were ages three and four were more successful as adults than those who hadn't had household jobs to do...more likely to complete their education, get a good start on a career, develop adult relationships, and avoid the use of drugs...early participation in household chores was deemed more important in their success than any other factor, including IQ." WOW! Didn't know I was doing all that for my kids! Suggested reading: The Greatest Management Principle in the World by Dr. Michael LeBoeuf. Donna goes on to say, "Tell your kids you'd rather apologize to them now instead of having to apologize to their frustrated spouses later on...Your future sons- and daughters-in-law will rise up and call you blessed for teaching your kids shared servanthood."
This chapter finishes up with a spiritual cleansing of your home starting with Nehemiah 13:7-9. "If you've traveled to other countries, be particularly alert to the fact that some items sold as tourist trinkets are actually foreign idols...If you have a teenager, particularly a troubled teenager, I urge you to consider prayerfully a Nehemiah purge of your house." This can be especially effective if you are able to share this activity with those in your home. Let the Holy Spirit lead your decisions and pray about what you should remove and what you should replace the items with. Donna also suggests that you could have a spiritual leader pray over the items you use to replace in your home and over your home as a whole. "Rid your house of anything that might be offensive to God or anything that might serve as a foothold for the Enemy. Consider replacing the items with Scripture plaques, crosses, or other sacred items. Pray over and spiritually purify your home. Invite a spiritual leader to bless your house, if you desire."
This is a large chapter with a lot of activities for the week and some great examples that I couldn't possibly include here for length. I know that you will enjoy the book. The next week is centered on Family Relationships, may we all live in peace!
