Homemakers Challenge - 31 Days to Clean

In reading 31 Days to Clean I was challenged with the idea – what will bring life to your home? As soon as I read the question I knew the answer for me – rest. Rest will bring life into my home: when I rest, it will bring life to my home.

Rest is so good for us, God constructed time and arranged it around us taking a day of rest. I’m reading “Celebrating the Sabbath” by Bruce A. Ray and since I have only just begun it I can’t recommend it one way or the other, but I found this concept very interesting – and I quote: “…natural scientists and historians have no good explanation for the origin of the week.” The author explains that we can observe the changes in the seasons by regular periods of warm, hot, cool and cold weather. Observations on the shape and movement of the moon have brought people to the conclusions of months. The sun comes up and goes down, creating days but there is no “historical evidence for the origin of the week according to Historians” unless you take Scripture as a historical source. “According to the Bible, we have the week because God ordained it, and indeed this is the origin of time and all its divisions.” (Read Genesis 1:3-5) Rest is a God thing.

I find it hard to close the office door or put away my to-do list because there are always things to be done. For those who are task orientated – as most of Western Civilization is – we are driven by completed tasks. We see value in the finished. And we won’t rest till we are done. But I don’t believe that mindset is in keeping with God’s views. In God’s mind there is a tomorrow, and there will be work to be done tomorrow, but he also requires us to rest. God would have us find that balance between work and rest – both are valuable, both have their time and place. Jesus confirmed this, saying that rest was for us, it was for our benefit.

So how can rest bring life into my home?

  • Rest will rejuvenate me and I, as the woman of the home, influence the atmosphere and activity of the home. There is truth in the saying “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t no body happy!” My emotions, my energy, my attitudes will affect all in my household.
  • Rest, or pause from work, will realign attitudes. Work, work, work gives the impression that our possessions or our projects are the most important. When we allow a pause from that we send the message that other things are important, maybe even more important.
  • Rest will allow us time to enjoy the labours of our hands and in turn motivate to pick up tomorrow.
When I rest, it brings life to my home
Rest is a part of God’s plan for a rhythm in life. There are two main times of rest in my life – rest at the end of a day, and rest at the end of the week. How easy we mess up that rhythm and we wonder why we feel tired, overwhelmed and unable to do the task at hand. Rest doesn’t mean finished – it means pause.

Over to you:

What brings life to your home? What changes do you have to make to let that happen?

3 Comments

  1. LaughingLady

    So true. My problem is more time management. I’m rather unmotivated and so I tend to “rest” (translate: laze around/fritter away my time) while my girls are in school and then once they’re home, there’s a frenzy of activity and I get uptight and easily frustrated because things aren’t getting done. I really need to break that patter and learn to take my rest once I’m DONE my work, which I need to get done while I’m home alone. I’m finding these Mary Challenges are really hitting my concience pretty hard in some unexpected ways!!

    Reply
    • lifestylehomeschool

      That is true – I guess that is where we have to find that balance that God did create work – He expects us to have dominion over our world (my world is my home). Check out my other post Managing My Computer Time – the principles I’m grappling with there (dealing with distractions and wasting time) may give you a starting point. Thanks for dropping by!

      Reply
  2. janene

    Rest. . .why is it that we know we need it, but tend to keep going until burn out? I too struggle with time management sometimes. I’ll check out the computer issue topic next: )

    Reply

Let me know your thoughts...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I'm Belinda

I am a family life coach and help parents to raise their kids with faith, values and life skills in a way that is intentional, relational and heart focused. Read more on the About page

Do you need help in your Family?

When I rest, it brings life to my home

When I rest, it brings life to my home.

The download link is on it's way.

Individual Education Planning Worksheets - brainstorming every area of your child's life.

Get your Planning Worksheets

I will email you the download link so you can start looking at all the different spheres of your child's life before you make any curriculum choices. 

The download link is on it's way.

An Alternative to Chocolate

An Alternative to Chocolate

Not that I have anything against chocolate - but these jelly beans can help your kids share the message of Jesus, his love, death and resurrection at Easter time.  

The download link is on it's way.

Parent Guide: How to make your Family Bible Study Really Work

Family Bible Study is Tricky with all the Different Ages

 

But there is a way to make this a rich learning and bonding family time.  This Guide includes tips, planning worksheet, and discussion prompts.  

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download yourCharacter Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download your Character Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

The download link is on it's way.

Download your Cheat Sheet

 

A quick reference to help you discern between a heart attitude and a lack of skill for when your child loses it!

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on its way.

Make God your First Response

Print out this parenting reminder to call out to God in the middle of the moment.

I'm excited to share this download with you. Watch your inbox.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

 

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Our children hear different words when we react to when we respond. Do your children hear blah blah blah when you correct them? Includes a parenting poster.

Download Parenting Poster

 

When we Respond instead of React we find a way to deal with the heart not just behaviour.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Character Lesson Guide

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

When family relationships get tense - look for the niggles.

Heart Focused Parenting Resource for the Intentional Parent

 

Your download will arrive in your inbox shortly. 

Print it out and use to teach the hearts of your kids.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Free Email Course

Daily emails  (6 days) to help you walk towards being a heart focused homeschool family!

You have joined the email course. Watch your email inbox!

Find ways to Re-engage your Student

Download this checklist and stir your child's curiosity

Watch your Inbox - the Checklist is on it's way!

FREE Parenting Worksheet

This worksheet will help you move from addressing behaviour to really parenting the heart, one issue at a time.

 

 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Personal growth starts with an honest assessment

The download link is on it's way. Please check your email.

Give Effective Consequences

Think before you React

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

 

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

One Another Verses

Be Intentional in the Teen Years

Use this Cheat Sheet to remind you of how you can love your teen.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

#14 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download your copy

Download your copy

Blending Life and Lessons - and start your journey of changing your thinking about education.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download: One Another Verses pdf

Download this list of One Another verses and teach your children how to love others.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Raising Kids with Character

ATTEND LIVE : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Live Session:  5th May 2021, 6.30pm AWST

Replay available until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

REPLAY OPTION : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Replay available from 6th May until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

WAITLIST

 

The Raising Kids with Character parenting workshop will be offered again this year - details yet to be confirmed.  Join the waitlist so you don't miss out. 

I will keep in you in the loop as soon as decisions have been made!

Bonus Reading list

 

Sharing my Homeschool Belief File

Knowing what you believe and why about education and homeschooling helps you make good decisions.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Build your Family Routine
Starter Kit:

Assess and Plan how to use your time wisely with this worksheet bundle.

Instant download, and then join the Heart Boost Weekly, by confirming in your email.

Success! An email link is being sent to you!

Heart Boosters

Free Parenting Support

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Download: Family Devotional Activities (PDF)

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download:Workshop Resource

This is a digital product. Download and print - but please don't share. 

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

#21 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Heart Boosters

Free Parenting Support

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

%d bloggers like this: