Some people need to let go of something in order to stay sane and not beat themselves up over unrealistic expectations. I'm fine with the tornado effect that is my house, since keeping it "tidy" with all the traffic that parades through it is nigh unto impossible.
Cleanliness might be next to godliness, but spotlessness can be next to manslaughter. I'll take clutter and general disarray over the alternative.
I simply have chosen those things that I really want to do - what I consider to be the most important uses of my time - and focused on making sure those things get done. Everything else is garnish, and I really don't like garnish all that much.
There is a Gospel lesson in this post, so . . . "They who have ears to hear, let them hear."
3 comments:
And yet for others of us who may be part chameleon, whose inner life can't help but be affected by our surroundings, some measure of tidiness and control over clutter is essential to spiritual tranquility and emotional control. Not sayin' your house has to be as tidy as mine, but my neatness isn't a character flaw, either.
I'm not much into garnish either, but I have found that I have more peace and feel that I'm being a better steward over what God has blessed me with when I keep my house tidy. It doesn't have to be spotless or perfect, but there is a real difference in the mood and spirit of our home when things are in disarray. There have been times when cleaning has been moved to the bottom of the to-do list because there were more important things needing to be done (service, activities with family, etc.)
I'm perfectly comfortable hanging out at a friend's house that isn't necessarily as clean as mine, though. What matters most is the spirit in the home and the love that's felt. What I want most in my home is for anyone who comes in to feel welcome.
Amen, Ardis. Thanks for making that point explicit - and notice I used the word "spotlessness" instead of "cleanliness".
"What I want most in my home is for anyone who comes in to feel welcome."
Well said, Patty.
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