The importance of organization part one

I have read many, many text and periodicals on the importance of being organized throughout my married life. Before this event I couldn't have cared less but I have learned, however, if one stays home or lacks a paying gig outside the home, it is difficult to stay on task without organization. But what keeps us on track of staying organized? If you have a plan what must you do to complete it with consistency? Joy.

Let's just say this upfront--there is no one perfect except for Jesus Christ--and so many of us will miss our own deadlines, forget the to-do lists, skip making supper, forget the clothes are on the line when it rains, etc. It's perfectly normal to do so.

In one of my most favorite books, The Joy of Housekeeping by Ella May Miller, given to me years ago by my husband's grandmother (it may be out of print), she writes one very important aspect about staying home: accept your role.

It may seem archaic, it may be like acid in your veins to think this way because it's contrary to popular culture, but I think she has a point. All of us desire to be happy and to be at home during the day without a paycheck at the end of the week can let you believe (by society's way of thinking), you are no longer an important part of society.

Believe me when I say this: I have felt this way before and I know I am not alone. I still deal with it when I go out to dinner with friends and I sit there thinking about valuable comments to make or witty jibes...do I really have something to say? All I do is stay home, do the laundry, cook meals, see about the children and feed the chickens. These people I'm with are professionals... Okay, I do host a Bible study on Wednesday nights and I have had a career once or twice before...but now?

Getting back on track here...Ella says housekeeping is pretty much what you make it...either a burden or a source of satisfaction.

We are who we are and if we're guided by God to stay at home and be a homekeeper I believe it's where we should be. That being said it's more than important to remember who we are in Christ. When we remember this important fact we keep our identity in Him and it doesn't matter if the only witty stories I have are about very, very flat bread or cute chicken stories.

Keeping organized is a very important aspect to staying home and running a household. But the most valuable trait is your joy in being the homekeeper.