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September 25, 2005
To Dance or Do Dishes?
by PurpleButterfly
Sharing this little article I wrote a few years ago on the original GCM Joyful Homemaking forum...
Our daily lives as wives and mothers is so challenging. To think that most of us dreamed of a very different lifestyle when we envisioned our SAHM roles...how little we knew! I imagined myself with a perfectly organized home, simmering scrumptious homecooked meals each evening, neatly organized and folded laundry, sparkling floors and tidy closets. What I ended up with was a high-need baby, a dh who works 70 hours a week (I feel too guilty to ask for his help), a mountain of dirty laundry that has recycled on my closet floor for about two years now, and stuff sticking to the bottom of my feet whenever I walk through the kitchen. And my house is neat compared to many others I've visited! ;}
Lately I've been discovering the amazing power of prayer as a homemaker. I learned from the wise mamas on this board that my life role is now a loving ministry - I am raising a family, loving and supporting a hard working husband, and demonstrating a lifestyle to my son who will someday subconsiously seek these qualities in his mate.
What do I want to convey to my family? That the floor will always need to be swept, laundry will always be there to be washed, and dishes accumulate each day. That while I do keep up with these things to the best of my ability, I do not place a higher importance on a clean home than I do on spending time with my family.
After all, dirty dishes will always be here...my son will not. There are days that I do spend more time cleaning, but I have also learned that we can survive with less sparkle and shine than I used to determine necessary.
My home is still a welcoming haven, but one that also says, "A family lives and loves here."
Posted by PurpleButterfly at September 25, 2005 03:19 PM
Comments
What a wonderful reminder to focus on what is most important. :)
I kind of have a different problem since I am a "messie." It seems I have to consciously choose to clean, and I can't exactly tell myself it's not that important or else I might not do it at all. *blush* My hope, though, is that as the children grow, I will better be able to help them and encourage them to be part of the cleaning process. Cleaning together is spending time together, time that can be good qualtiy time. :) I hope that makes sense. *blush*
Thanks again, Kym, for sharing and reminding us of what is important and of how fast our little ones grow, which is so very fast. *hugs*
Posted by: flowermama ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 28, 2005 02:10 PM
I found what you wrote to be just the inspiration I needed today. I'm not naturally good at the cleaning side of homemaking. (Much better at cooking or reading aloud or researching. . .) I need all the little helps and hints and encouragement I can get.
I really like this thread: Natural Cleaning Recipes. And it keeps reminding me I need to polish my lovely computer desk. (Motivation to get the clutter off of it!)
Posted by: TulipGirl at October 8, 2005 09:29 AM
