Welcome to Day #18 of the 31 Days to Professional Homemaking series. To learn more about this series and to see the list of topics, click HERE. Please know that I am not an expert in marriage, motherhood, or homemaking. I'm just a woman {who happens to be a wife, mother, and homemaker}, trying to figure it all out, by the grace of God. This series is just as much for me as it is for anyone reading.
Before we get started, I'd like to offer you the following button, in case you want to share this series with your readers:
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;'"
Genesis 1:26a
We are made in God's image, which means that we are His image-bearers. I think of it this way: I am like a mirror that reflects God to the world. I pray that when people look at me, they see past my outer appearance and witness Jesus.
One way that we bear His image is by taking on some of his characteristics. We strive to love like He loves and serve like He served. But, have you ever thought about the fact that this image-bearing purpose of ours has a role to play in our job as homemakers?
I have said before that the reason I like to decorate is because God Himself created this beautiful world that we live in. Therefore, being one who was created in His image, I like to create beauty within my home. But, I don't want to get ahead of myself. We'll talk about decorating the home in a few days.
Today, I want to focus on another way that we can be a reflection of God: being orderly.
In Genesis 1, we read the account of the creation story. Each day had a purpose. Day one, God made light. Day two, God made the heavens. Day three, He made dry land and caused it to bring forth plants. On day four, He made the sun and the moon. Then, on day five, God made the sea creatures and all the birds. Day six, the final day of creation, God made all the other animals and He created man.
But, have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God planned all of that in advance? I mean, how chaotic might it have been if He hadn't made a plan first? If He created the sea creatures and then said, "oh, yeah, they need an ocean to swim in"? Or, if God had created man but then had nowhere to put him?
Luckily, that's not what happened. God had a plan because it's in His nature to plan ahead. Not only did He plan creation in advance, He made a plan for all time before He spoke light into existence on that first day.
"But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner."
{1 Corinthians 14:40}
God truly is a God of order. This truth isn't just evident through the creation story, though. God created an order for His house, our place of worship.
In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul gives instructions concerning the requirements for someone to even be considered for a leadership position in the church. If you have a moment, I would encourage you to read that passage. It is one of many examples in scripture that there is a specific way that God likes things to be done and those ways are always for His glory.
So, how does all of that translate to our homemaking?
We should strive for "excellence, not perfection" in how we organize our time and our homes. We should take the time to plan ahead, holding those plans with an open hand. We should strive to keep an orderly home, so that we can focus on the real purpose of homemaking: relationships.
Do you see how everything ties together?
You're probably thinking, "That's great and all, but there was nothing 'super practical' about this post, and you promised me 'super practical' from here on out". I know, I know. I'm sorry for that. Honestly, I forgot about this post earlier, otherwise I would have included it closer to the beginning. See what happens when you don't plan as well as you intended to? Learn from my shortcomings, folks.
Seriously, though, I know this post doesn't provide anything helpful when it comes to "how" to go about being organized. Truthfully, getting organized is such a personal thing, that I wouldn't be able to give you a one-size-fits-all formula anyway.
So, if practical help wasn't the purpose, what was?
"...for God is not a God of confusion but of peace..."
{1 Corinthians 14:33}
To remind you that God is a God of order. As image-bearers, we should strive to reflect that quality. I also want you to know that God loves His own so much that He desires that we have a peace that passes all understanding; His peace. And, I believe part of His gift of peace comes in the form of orderly and simple living, which frees us to pursue the ultimate purpose of homemaking: building relationships, for His glory.
Today's Challenge:
Each day, I'll give you a challenge: one small thing you can do to apply each day's topic to your life and your home.
1. As you read God's word take note of how He is a God of Order.
2. If being orderly and organized doesn't come naturally for you, ask God to show you how. Ask Him to bring people and resources into your life to help you. You may feel like you could never be an orderly or organized person but, may I remind you, nothing is impossible with God!
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