Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Accomplishments for the Day or Need a List? (Part Two)


In our last post, we discussed the importance of taking moments to love your family and not being ruled by the list of things to do in your household. Those thoughts usually only affect the "Martha" minded women who are task oriented and need constant reminders to stop and smell the roses.

Today we are going to discuss the "Mary" minded women who can't seem to get everything together. What we must remember is that Jesus told Mary she had done the "good part" by staying to hear His life changing words of salvation to the soul. She was absolutely justified to sit at the feet of the Savior and just listen! However, it is because she had a "special guest" in her home that she was allowed this luxury.  If women were to sit and read and reflect all day long in their daily existence, surely her home would become undesirable.

There is a balance that must be found. We are called to be the "keeper at home" and that is a biblical task we should take with great care. If you find it hard to commence your day, a list is an excellent place to start. The night before, write down anything that must be done. Give yourself little goals. When you complete certain items, allow yourself a few minutes of refreshment or rest.

Here are some other good places to start:
  1. Make your bed (right away) each morning.
  2. Do all prep work for dinner during the quiet of the day (i.e., cut salad, chop any vegetables, marinate meat or prepare sauces and/or casseroles). Clean up the mess. There will be less dishes to do in the evening when you are tired. Set the table. Even if dinner isn't ready, this simple step shows care to your husband when he walks through the door.
  3. Straighten up the living room prior to your husband's return from work as this is where he and you will most likely rest together after the long day.
  4. Give your bathrooms a once-over daily.
Most men are out all day in filthy, aggressive and stressful environments. By keeping your home a sanctuary, you are being such a blessing. You are doing him good (Proverbs 31:12)! Let your love shine for him by placing an importance on the home that he takes so much care to provide for.

"She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her."
~ Proverbs 31:27-28

*Note: This post is geared towards the "Mary" minded women. 
Visit here if you are "Martha" minded and are "busy with many things".*
Which one are you?
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsMake Your Home Sing MondayGood Morning Mondays,  The ScoopTitus 2 TuesdaysTuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link UpFive Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them). Painting is of "The Breakfast Table" by Harold Knight.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for the new inspiration to my household!
    Sometimes I look like Martha,
    Sometimes like Mary....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point! I think we all are both depending on what it concerns!

      Thanks for commenting :)

      Delete
  2. I am such a mixture! I get frustrated being Martha, so I go to the Mary side 'till I am fed up with myself, then back again! I have learned as I age to better balance, and not get frustration get the best of me as much. This is so encouraging to read. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing Country Girl! That is interesting about you being a mixture... I guess there is a balance in that as well :)

      I struggle with being a Martha myself but appreciate what you say about finding balance as you age… That is something I am learning too! Life is short and I want to be "there" for my family...

      Delete
  3. I think we are both! I felt I was more like Mary, so I started to create a to-do-list. It encouraged me to do things and not procrastinate, then I can be like Mary and give myself to my family after I get home from work, because I have finished most of my to-do-list during the day. ^__^

    This post has inspired me to write another post based on Mary and Matha. I hope you won't mind me "stealing" your theme of Mary and Martha. Thank you! ^_^

    Visit me:
    LeeAnne, Style N Season
    http"//stylenseason.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great point! We need to be both for different areas of our life! Excellent and I am glad it inspired some Mary/Martha ideas :) Look forward to reading your post...

      Delete
  4. These are really excellent reminders...I am 100% a Mary (absolutely no doubt about that) and quite honestly, my house is usually pretty messy, although I do have the "excuse" of chronic illness...nevertheless, I appreciate hand-holding posts like this that remind what is most important to get done before Mr. Husband gets home for the day.

    ReplyDelete