We can change the sheets on our child’s bed – again – even though he’s been potty trained for months. We can forgive our husband – again – when he says unkind words. We can encourage our children with soft words when they disobey – again. We can seek out evidence of God’s grace in the every day moments so that we can build up those who walk the hallways of our homes.

How? This sounds so great and it’s definitely my goal but I think I ALWAYS fall short. Every.damn.time. I know a lot of it is because grace was NEVER extended to me as a child and rarely as an adult – but come ON!! How many times do I have to beat my head against this wall before I can DO it?

I really hate this about myself – I am not gracious. I want to be. I pray every day for God to help me develop that part of my personality but nothing seems to change.

Advice? I’m all ears.

DAY 2

I’m really enjoying this book. My house is looking great and I’m feeling so much better about cleaning it and keeping it clean!

Today’s Mary Challenge is to list my top 5 priorities:

1. God
I want to work towards getting up before the kids and spending time in His word and praying with Mr. Fox before he leaves for work to make this my true #1 priority.

2. Husband

3. Children

4. Me – my hobbies, free time, MNO’s.

5. Home

Martha: Clean your kitchen windows and window treatments. Glad we don’t have any treatments yet!

ASK what we specifically can do with our housekeeping to make our family members feel loved. I’m blessed with an amazing husband. Truly. He works all day and comes home to a messy house and never complains or gets angry. And when I ask him the above question he says, “It makes me feel good when you do stuff that is considered ‘my’ job cause I feel like you did it for me. As far as normal house work, I mostly just care about the floor being picked up.” Seriously? He’s just wonderful.

As for the kids, R2 says she feels loved when I help her find her things, play and wrestle with her, swim with her and wash her hair.

R1 has been in VBS this week and Wed.’s are super busy for us so I’ll have to ask him tomorrow.

One thing that really motivated and encouraged me this morning was that I started wiping down the cabinets and both girls jumped up and begged to help. It was an Aha! moment for me, even though it’s something I’ve been aware of, that when I clean they want to help.

How do you give life to your home?

I’m struggling with this because I often get bogged down in the little things, the many things that need to be done, just to be done over again… and again. I have a hard time seeing housework as bringing life to my home.

To answer the question, I guess I bring life when I stop and savor the sweet moments, remember not to get stuck in the frustrating ones, and try to keep a positive attitude. I bring life by nurturing the bodies, minds and souls of my family.