Cleaning for Eternity

Before this week, I never really thought of cleaning as a God given gift. I'm sure most of you have not either. How in the world can laundry, dusting, and doing the dishes be a gift from God? I thought He gave us good gifts, not ones that we hate to do? 

It has been amazing how everything I have heard this week or read for devotions has come together. The sermon on Sabbath was on James 1: 5-6. "⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

Then I started following Courtney at Women Living Well in her review of James; guess what the same verses. I had also gone back to the beginning of Good Morning Girls S.O.A.P notes for James 1 for my personal study in the past two weeks. 

Then I started reading 31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae. One of the Mary challenges was to ready Romans 8:20-21. So let's use the soap format to learn about this verse. 

Scripture: ²⁰ Everything God made was changed to become useless, not by its own wish but because God wanted it and because all along there was this hope:²¹ that everything God made would be set free from ruin to have the freedom and glory that belong to God's children. (New Century Version)

Observation: Because of sin, everything we do now is useless unless we are looking for the blessed hope of Jesus returning to take us home. If we do not have this hope, life is pointless. 

Application: In order to have the right attitude towards my role as a Titus 2/Proverbs 31 woman, I must claim the hope of Jesus soon return. Everything I try to do here on this earth is pointless, unless I am preparing for a life in Heaven. A clean house will not get me to heaven, however the patient and quiet spirit that I develop while completing those tasks here on earth will prepare me for a life in Heaven with Him. 

Prayer: It is my prayer to develop the attitude of Titus 2 and Provers 31 that God has given to me as a gift; my role as a wife and someday mother to bless my husband and others with. 

I like what Sarah Mae wrote in Day 9 of her book: "Taking care of our domains is something to take joy and honor in, and ultimately is something that will lead us toward Christ like character and humility."

A great book I recommend that I have been reading this week which ties ALL of this together as well is Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. It has been an excellent book on our role of Titus 2 women and how God has designed our roles for His glory. 

Not only did this book help bring my study together, but also Sarah Mae in day 9 of her book mentioned the verse James 1: 2-4. "² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Cleaning the house can try our patience and test our faith can it not? It can be a trial at times, however God gaves us our houses as our domain to take care of and give life to. How we respond to that calling will either bring glory to His name or not. 

Let's continue to strive to be the women that God has called us to be. I encourage you to study the women at Titus 2 and Provers 31 if you have not already. 

31 Days to Clean Challenge - Week 1

This week began the 31 Days to Clean reading as well as completing the Mary and Martha challenges. These challenges have been very good this week and have helped me to get some cleaning done that I wouldn't have thought of or done this week. The focus of the Martha challenges have been the kitchen. I cleaned out the microwave as well as on top of the fridge. I also cleaned the walls and on top of the cabinets. I also started on inside of the fridge. Unfortunately we had just gone to the grocery store before I started this so the fridge is a little full, haha. I plan on finishing it once we eat some of the food.

One of the Mary challenges I had never really thought of. The question was what is something that I do in my home that makes my family feel the most loved. Of course my husband, being the wonderful guy he is, said that everything I do for our home makes him feel loved. :) He even surprised me today by having the whole house swept, laundry put through and even swept the furniture! Love you dearest!

I am looking forward to the rest of the challenge! If you would like to join us, visit Joyful Mothering. You can also read about Sarah Mae's book 31 days to Clean.

31 Days to Clean Challenge

Christin over at Joyful Mothering is hosting a 31 Days to Clean Challenge while reading the e-book, 31 Day to Clean by Sarah Mae. You can purchase the e-book on Amazon or at her web-site for $4.99. We are going to be reading through 1 chapter a day and then on Fridays there will be a challenge to complete as well as linking up our posts/thoughts for the week. I know I definitely need help and work on this area of my life. I am looking forward to participating and I hope you will consider doing it too!!