Home Sanctuary

Everyday Courage

I loved this post that got linked up for Company Girl Coffee from Wasteland to Graceland. It is about the Radical Ordinary, and it quoted from this post about Courage in the Ordinary. I hope you'll take the time to stop in and read both of them, because they remind me that the work we are doing at home each day is important. 

I read a lot of blogs and books and articles that encourage us to live big for Christ - to radically give our lives away. And I know we need this message in our complacent, self-indulgent first world, but sometimes I wonder how on earth to live radically as I fold towels or clean up messes or wash dishes or dismantle one of my famous stacks. I often feel "less than," even when I'm giving myself away each day within these four walls.

I love that God meets us where we are at, even when it's under a pile of laundry. He calls us to radically love the people who are entrusted into our care - by being there every day, by sticking it out in the ordinary, boring days, by learning self-sacrifice and by finding joy in our circumstances. He calls us to be faithful and to look for His hand in the everyday moments and to raise our children to love Him.

There is no such thing as a small life, and I need to remember that. God is with us, using us, molding us into His vessels as we wash dishes and fix sandwiches and nurse babies. His purposes are eternal and He sees what we cannot: that our stories are part of a much bigger story, and that faithfulness - everyday courage - is at the heart of what He loves.

 

Today's Small Thing is a simple one: let's have the courage to attack a stack. 

 

Whittling away at a stack of laundry or a stack of dishes or a stack of papers takes bravery. It takes courage to look at the mountain and not walk away from it.

So take a deep breath, say a prayer, and knock it down. You can do it.

Be faithful in the little today...and know that God is with you. He loves a heart that is dedicated to Him and that looks for ways to worship Him in the everyday moments.

Points: 50 for dismantling one stack around the house

Top Drawer + Company Girl Coffee

I'm off to see my little Ivy today and I can hardly wait. I'm going to spend the morning with my daughter and granddaughter, so I'm flying high. :) She is growing so fast - smiling and cooing....she really needs me to come and pay attention to her.

 

I must kiss her.

 

 

Since it's Friday, how about an Small Thing that you can do over the weekend? I think I'd like a little extra time to complete this, even though it isn't difficult.

I got to thinking about the term "Top Drawer," the other day.

Top Drawer is slang for "top notch" or "quality" or "the best." Other words to describe Top Drawer are: excellent, first class, first rate, the best, important.

What a fantastic phrase to use! I'm going to find ways to incorporate it more often.

Then I got to thinking about the ACTUAL top drawer, as in almost every top drawer in my house. Somehow, each top drawer has become a catch-all for things I don't know what to do with in that particular room. Bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom.....each room has its own top drawer that is anything BUT excellent.

 

Today's Small Thing is to focus on the top drawers in your house. You can simply pick one to work on, or tackle as many as you like.

 

First, remove the stuff that can be tossed: the Disney VHS tapes that you no longer have a player for. The receipts from 2005. The broken hair clips. The miscellany that you paw through every time you're looking for something useful.

Then, organize what's left. If it's an underwear drawer, then take out whatever is not underwear and fold the underwear. It seems so obvious, doesn't it? Hmmm. Group like items, add dividers, shift things around. It's a job that could take five small minutes, but will really make you feel "Top Drawer" when you're done!

What is YOUR top drawer issue? Is there one in particular that needs attention? Which one (or ones) will you work on?

Points

 

 

 

Now, let's do a little Friday Company Girl Coffee Link Up!

Simply link your blog below to share what's going on in your life! It's a great way to meet new people and find new blogs to read. And, do me a favor....after you link up, stop in at the blog that's JUST ABOVE YOURS in the list and say hello! That way we are sure that everyone gets a new visitor. You don't have to get all fancy with your posts - just let us know what you're working on, share what's new, show us a picture, share a scripture that God's been speaking to you. Have a great weekend, my friends!

 

Don't Implode (or Curl Up into Fetal Position)

My husband and son returned on Monday from their (second) trip of the summer. This time, they had gone to Colorado to climb a couple of big-A mountains, a manly trip I was (thankfully) not invited to participate in. On Tuesday, we let the dust settle and then launched into work and catching-up mode, and it came to my attention, too late, that I had not completed a couple of important things I should have while they were gone. 

The day got very tense. "Working With Your Spouse, Who You Love and Cherish" is the title of a blog post for another day, so I'll not go there today. Suffice to say, it was not my finest moment, in either my marriage, or my so-called career.

 

What with the mistakes I made and the laundry also not being done, I did what I do best: I imploded.

 

I simply could not function at even a second grade level, let alone at a moderately resourceful adult level...and so I went straight to bed. I may have curled up into the fetal postition and moaned softly to myself under the covers.

No blog post prepared for yesterday morning, I didn't care. I knew there were comments and emails to respond to. I knew all ten of you readers would be wondering what happened to me, but even that was not enough for me to get up and type a few words to let you know I was too full from eating my humble pie to move my fingers.

 

I am behind again today, but feeling a little better. My mother told me in passing yesterday that I am "optimistic and creative" and it really buoyed my spirits. (Thanks, Mom.) Why, yes. Yes I do feel a little optimistic, now that you've mentioned it.

 

Today is another day. I can spring back from failure. 

And just thinking about the Small Thing gives me an instantaneous boost because I know how powerful it will be today!

I guess you know, now that I've just told you, that when I get overwhelmed I get tunnel vision and start to shut down. I tend to sit in a corner with a blankie and suck my thumb. The only problem is that, while the thumb tastes good, it doesn't make my problems go away or magically finish my tasks for me. It just makes them harder because I've wasted time wishing them away, rather than actually doing something about them.

But where to start???

Today's Small Thing is to start with one thing.  And rather than make you choose which thing to start with, I'll make it easy on us and assign it.

Start with your living room.

Today, simply work on making your living room presentable. Pick up the newspapers and magazines, corral the toys, straighten the pillows, move the junk. You could even vacuum in there, which would be really easy because you aren't having to do the whole rest of the house. Just one little room, that's it. 

I walk through my living room umpteen times a day, and I know how good it's going to feel to see it looking nice.  I may, or may not, get to the rest of the house, but it will be enough to know that ONE ROOM of the house is picked up and orderly.  It is good for my soul, just like the kitchen was the other day.

 

POINTS

 

What do YOU do when you get overwhelmed? How do you get yourself moving? Do you have some tricks to shake off failure and overwhelm? Please share. We've all been there, and some of us are still there now.

The Kitchen-Mood Connection

I know that I should start each day with a happy heart, and let my inner sunshine affect the world around me with its sparkles of joy and good cheer.

Sometimes it does indeed happen that way.

But often, my happy little heart falters just a wee bit the moment I step into my kitchen and see what awaits me there. Perhaps it does more than falter. Perhaps, sometimes, it clouds over in bitterness and dark fury, descending to depths of despair and decay as I succumb to the overwhelming gigantic-ness of the mess that lies therein.

It happens, oh it happens.

Just as there is a Mind-Body connection, I am convinced that there is a Kitchen-Mood connection as well.

Humor me if you will:

Cluttered countertops create an inability to focus. A distracted mood.

A sink full of dishes creates deep, deep anger. Why do people need to eat so much, and so often?

Stove top grease creates mood instability. Sorrow? Crazy, uncontrollable laughter? Regression?

Crunchy, sticky floors....well that's just a recipe for emotional meltdown right there, honey.

Fridge full of mysterious containers and rotten veggies? Watch out, you might go manic.

 

Today's Small Thing is to alter your Kitchen-Mood Connection.

Let's just go ahead and lavish on some points for a super-happy euphoria that will cause your sunshine sparkles to bring good cheer your sweet self, and to everyone around you! You can do up to five things that will brighten your mood when you are done.

  Each!

 

1. Clear countertops and wipe down: 50
2. Do up the dishes (load up the dishwasher and hand wash the stragglers): 50
3. Wipe off the stove top: 50
4. Sweep the Floor: 50
5. Toss the refrigerator "yuckies" and straighten it up: 50

 

You could earn 250 points toward your Sanctuary Total IN ONE DAY! That's more than you may have earned all year! And remember, we are playing for a One-Year Membership to ListPlanIt - a fabulous prize that you'll love.

Tip: Set a timer (can you do each task in under 10 minutes?) and play some fun music to get you going. I promise it won't take long. And oh, the joy of a clean kitchen.

What YOUR Kitchen-Mood Connection? Do you have an emotion I have not touched on here? It's alright, you're among friends.

What's YOUR mood?

Outside Looking In

I remember the year I got to join the Girl Scouts. Fourth grade. I was so excited, I could hardly stand it! My mother found a gently worn uniform at the Goodwill and carefully cleaned and pressed it for the first meeting. It fit perfectly and I felt so proud. I could hardly wait to start earning my badges. I twirled in front of the mirror and set my cap "just so."

Since the troop was to meet in the library right after school, all the girls were allowed to wear their uniforms to class. That morning, I arrived eagerly to my classroom and waited for my fellow scouts to come in.

 

 

The girls seemed to arrive in a big group, all talking excitedly at the same time. I jumped up to join them, but suddenly, my heart dropped to my feet.

They were all wearing a brand-new style of uniform.

See, it was the year The Girl Scouts rolled out a mix-and-match ensemble that was completely different from the old-fashioned dress I was wearing. There were pantsuits, short sets, skirts, body suits - all combined in different ways for modern looks they could choose for themselves.

 

 

 

 

Everyone had a new uniform...except for me.

I looked down at my white bobby socks and loafers and felt hopelessly out-dated. {sigh} I knew immediately that I had no way of getting a new uniform because it would be too expensive for our Preacher family's budget. I'd spend the whole year looking like a complete dork.

I had hoped that joining the Scouts would guarantee me a spot "in" with the popular girls, but instead, it solidified my standing for years to come: always on the outside, looking in.

 

 

One of the most beautiful things about creating a safe sanctuary for your family members is that, wherever they are, they are always on the "inside." Last Monday, we talked about communicating "You Belong Here," and this is exactly what I'm talking about. Each person is celebrated and loved, cherished and adored - and that is a feeling that stays with them no matter what. The world outside, with its cliques and clubs, can be a cruel place. But inside your home, there is always acceptance and freedom to be yourselves. You are your own special club - a group bound by experiences and common ground. Even if you have a house full of different personalities, you are FAMILY, and nothing can change that.

 

Today's Small Thing is to celebrate being on the "inside."

 

Make a point to share a family story or do an activity that says, "We are a family." A walk together, a family board game, sharing a bowl of ice cream....it can be something as simple as that. We used to say things like, "We are the Ridges, we don't run wildly in church," so that even when we had to discipline, we underscored "this is how WE do things." We identified ourselves as our own unique little band of people.

Taking the time to be intentional as a family unit - even for 10 minutes - communicates the kind of group identity we all need in order to face the world outside. It's important to be on the "inside, looking out" sometimes.

 

Need Ideas? 

• Ask your kids: what does our family like to do together? What do you love about our family? What is one of your favorite family memories? What is special about our family?

• Ask your spouse about a favorite memory or activity. Read a book out loud or rent a movie you can watch together. Plan a vacation or day trip.

• Crafts: Make an acrostic out of your last name, using words that describe your family. Work of a scrapbook page together. Draw a family tree. Paint a picture of your family. (It doesn't have to be "good!" haha)

 

What are YOUR ideas? If you are not near your family members, are there some ways you can "reach out" and celebrate being in the "IN" crowd? I hope you'll share.

PS Mom, if you're reading this, I hope you know that our family was the safest, best place to grow up, and I loved being one of  "The Rasmussens!" That was way better than being a Girl Scout, which only lasted one year anyway. :) 

Recharge

 Where would we be without rechargeable batteries for cameras, hand-held games, video cameras and flashlights? But when they first came out, I remember how hard it was to shell out the extra money for something we knew would save us money in the long run, but for which we didn't QUITE see the need.

As a mom, my own "batteries" feel run-down and in need of a recharge quite often. Between the constant demands of child-rearing, work, housekeeping, church, sports, marriage and the general whoop-de-doo of life, I'm drained.

 

 

Let's face it, the life force of a mom is not an inexhaustible resource.

 

And when we get tired, our patience runs short. Things slip out of our mouths that we wish we could take back. We stop caring about things like...our kids acting like hooligans, sticking to a diet and of course, the whoop-de-doo in the bedroom. We just don't have it in us to deal with it anymore.

Just like those rechargeable batteries that cost more up front, it's sometimes hard "pay the price" of taking the time to build up our resources on the inside. We think we can just keep going and going, but the reality is we will burn out if we don't pay attention to connecting to a power source to get our energy back.

• Of course, the Ultimate Energy Source is on a spiritual level. Our devotional life is often the first thing to get cut when we start running on empty. Without "plugging in" to the word of God and connecting with Him in prayer, we will never really be filled like we should be. 

 

• And then there are practical things that we can do that will "recharge" our physical batteries. We should eat good food. We need to drink water and not gallons of diet soda. Probably should lay off the fries. A decent night sleep will do wonders. I can only imagine what exercise might do.

 

• Beyond that, there are "frivolous" things that have a way of rocket-boosting the practical and spiritual methods because they touch our emotional level. It's the cup of tea, a phone call to a friend, a new shade of toenail polish and a pair of dangly earrings that bring a smile to our face and make life seem a little softer. A few minutes alone at Target has been known to completely renew a woman's world.

 

 

Today's Small Thing is really "This Holiday Weekend's Three Small Things" because it will take a bit more doing to earn our points. 

We are going to "recharge" our batteries on all three levels, in some way, between now and Monday morning.

 

1. Take a few moments to connect with God.  He's waiting in the wings, and if you stop long enough, you might even hear Him calling your name. His voice floats on the cool breeze and rustles in the budding leaves. He is speaking in the quiet of a sleeping child and in the morning cup of coffee before the house wakes. He is in the pages of the Bible on your nightstand. Nourish your spirit.

 

2. Next, do something that is good for your physical body.  If you need an extra hour of sleep, get your man to get up with the kids in the morning. Take some care to pay attention to what your body is telling you:  to eat a healthy meal, go for a walk, take your vitamins or hit the gym. Treat your body well.

 

3. Finally, pick something frivolous and completely "unnecessary" to do for yourself that refreshes your soul. Read a chapter in a book, send the kids to the neighbor's house so you have a few moments alone, wear something pretty, or go our for coffee, it doesn't matter! You don't have to spend a dime to be reminded that you are worth taking care of. Feed your soul.

 

Each!

POINTS:  This might be a little bit tough to get all this done, so I am going to give 50 points for each of the three "recharges."

You can earn up to 150 points this weekend!  Wow!  What a way to earn them. I'll be taking Thursday and Friday off and will see you back here on Monday.

Please share!  How will you recharge your batteries? You KNOW you need all three!

A Simple Game to Help Kids Pick Up

 

Before we get into Today's Small Thing,

1. I realize that not everyone has kids at home, so don't be scared off by the title. Don't worry, if you are pre-kids, post-kids, kids-at-ex's, or kids-at-camp, you can still participate today by doing a simple pick-up all by your little lonesome. I'll be right along with you....alone....sans kids....trying to make a game of picking up!

2. Winner announcements: The Most Points Winner in June is Becky Jo! She totally "cleaned up" on the day we rounded up cups with "Mug Shots!" Way to go, Becky Jo....congratulations! She will receive the gift certificate to Laurie Anna's Vintage Shop.

The Random Drawing winner is Jean Michelin. She will get the inspirational coffee cup.

 

 

Now, let's work...or play, however you want to see it!

 

Are you tripping over toys that have been strewn all over the floor? Do you frequently sit down on a chair, only to be stabbed in the derierre by a barbie arm? Do legos in the carpet make a midnight trip to the bathroom a painful experience? Are Candyland game pieces turning up in junk drawers and under couch cushions?

If your decor is punctuated by toys of all colors and shapes, randomly left out (and then ignored) by the small people in your life, take heart.

 

Today's Small Thing is to enlist your child's help by making a game out of picking up.

 

You will have to stifle the drill sergeant in you, and bring out Mrs. Fun-But-Firm-Mom in order to make this work.

First, understand that children, particularly children of messy parents who prove that apples don't fall far from the tree, are easily discouraged by the gigantic messes they make.

To kids, saying "clean up this room right now" is akin to saying "solve the Mideast crisis by dinnertime."

It just ain't gonna happen.

That is, unless you give them bite-sized, manageable tasks that they can be successful at until the job is done. Now, you can use any game you like, but today I offer up this one once again as a suggestion:

 

Similar to "I Spy," my favorite cleanup game is to turn cleaning into a Mission Impossible-type activity.

Make your child an Secret Agent and give specific things to pick up....and specific places to put them. If your child can read, you could give him a piece of paper with something on it like this:

 

Make a production out of writing down that secret mission and make him wait in anticipation for what his job is going to be. And I'd probably tell him that there will be only four missions today, depending on his age and abilities, so he knows that this game has an "end." And come to think of it, a Super Secret Spy cape (or belt, etc) might just give your child special powers to carry out his missions.

 

When the first task is complete, have him bring his instruction sheet back to Mission Control. Check off the completed task and add the next one.

Are you using a funny accent or silly voice? Good, I thought so.

 

You'll do this until all four missions are complete. Then, your Agent(s) might deserve some R&R or a special treat for all their hard work.

 

As Mission Control, your biggest task is to oversee each step along the way. Sometimes things don't get done properly because Mission Control gets distracted before the Agents complete their operations.

Only give as many tasks as you are willing to follow up on. Only give as many tasks as you are willing to follow up on. Oh, I just said that. Well, it bears repeating.

 

Maybe you have another game that works well for getting kids to help? Share your ideas with us! And if you don't have kids at home, make up your own game to get YOUR tasks done. Something as simple as creating your own list with check boxes might be enough fun to help you get some of those tasks done.

 

Play games today....make the picking up process fun. Use any game you like.

July Sponsor: ListPlanit!

 

I'm excited to introduce July's prize sponsor, ListPlanIt!

ListPlanIt is the One-Stop place to find every list imaginable to put your life in order. You will fall in love with the simplicity and organization these customizable lists and planners will bring to your life - just the kind of thing we are working toward around here.

There are literally hundreds of lists that you can download directly from ListPlanIt. And when you become a member, you can log into your lists from anywhere, including your phone so you can have instant access to your lists. This is life-changing, ladies. I'm forever making lists and then misplacing them....(ahem) can you relate?

This solves my problem beautifully. My excuses, on the other hand, will be harder to solve.

 

 

I'd like you to meet the brilliant mind behind ListPlanIt, Jennifer Tankersley, then I'll tell you about the prize she is donating.

Jennifer Tankersley conceived of the idea for ListPlanIt in that chaotic week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.  She had three young children, aged 2 to 6, and while she had always been a list maker, she was desperate for a simple way to keep track of and help manage the myriad of details that are involved in running a family and home.  ListPlanIt has grown from 200 downloadable lists when it first launched in May 2007 to what it is today. You’ll not only find printable lists, but members now have the ability to create and store lists right in their ListPlanItaccount and then access those lists from any device whether at home or on the go.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Jennifer is also the author of the popular blog and eBook series:  100 Days to Christmas, 100 Days of Summertime, and 100 Days of a New Year.

          

 

 

Jen is donating a One-Year Membership to ListPlanIt as our July prize for whoever wins "Most Points!"

This means you'll have unlimited access to all the lists in .pdf form, which work great for printing off and putting into Organizational Binders, and of course, all the online lists. Hop over to ListPlanIt.com to check out all the planners that are available and then imagine how much these can help you every single day. I'm revamping my Household Binder with the lists that I'm in the process of downloading, so that everything I need will be at my fingertips in hard copy form.

 

Today's Small Thing is to print off a new Tally Sheet and commit to creating Sanctuary in your home this month.

  Download TallyJuly

Now, just a little note from me to you.

Sometimes (most times) I feel like I'm the last person in the world to write a daily blog on organization and homekeeping. I fall woefully short so often. Right now there is laundry to be done, bills to pay and papers to file. Bathtubs to clean. Let's not talk about my junk drawer.

But I can't help it. My heart is for encouraging all of "us" who struggle...that there IS hope. Creating a restful sanctuary at home is possible. And you don't have to be perfect to achieve it.

It IS possible to change and improve and bless our families...despite our shortcomings. In the end, having an organized and clean home is simply part of a bigger picture. It is not the whole picture. Life is always gonna be kinda messy and confusing, but when we have love, compassion, acceptance and a heart that's willing to keep learning and growing, then we will always have sanctuary. Sanctuary is within us, it flows out from us and it makes everything, even the messes, beautiful. 

Are you struggling today? Hang in there, my friend. Playing along with my silly games here at Home Sanctuary is a great "first step" to creating sanctuary in your home.

Stop saying "I can't," and simply say, "I am." 

I am making changes.

I am working on a new mindset.

I am doing small things every day that make a difference.

I am a loving person. I put people before things, loved ones ahead of my agenda.

I am worthy of living a meaningful life.

I am giving myself permission to fail, because I know that failure is just a stepping stone.

I am learning to treat myself with respect by taking care of what has been entrusted to me. My family, my things, my health, my schedule, my faith.

 

I'm here each day with a small prompt - an easy task - to get you moving in the right direction. The Small Things can work absolute wonders if you allow them to. But you'll have to get up and do them - you can't just read along each day and say "I should really do that sometime." That's never going to accomplish anything. You've got to DO them. And then good things will happen, I promise.

Give me this month. Print off a Tally Sheet and play along with my little point system. You have a chance to win an awesome prize at the end...but most importantly, you're kicking mediocrity and lethargy in the butt. You're doing something meaningful to get some order and make the changes you know you need.  Download TallyJuly

Here you go: take 50 points for just printing off July's Tally Sheet and getting started! Easy. Let's do this together.

PS I'll announce June's winners tomorrow!