Home Sanctuary

Oh, the wonders!

 

We sang "This is My Father's World" in church yesterday. The opening chords of the song immediately took me back to the first time I heard it sung by a children's choir at a Lutheran summer camp in Minnesota. Their sweet voices sang in a simple two-part harmony, and sitting in that warm evening camp meeting, I thought it was the most beautiful hymn ever written.

The lyrics still bring tears to my eyes. 

 

He shines in all that's fair.

Yes, He does.

 

I rest me in the thought.

Deep breath. Yes, I do.

 

God is the ruler yet.

Yes, He still is.

 

There is something reassuring about knowing that this is all His, don't you agree?

No fear, just peace in His care.

 

Today, let's listen for the music of the spheres. And then, simply rest in the thought: His hand the wonders wrought.

 

To help you out, here is Fernando Ortega's rendition of This is My Father's World. It's well worth a few minutes to start your week with a peaceful perspective.

 

This is My Father's World

 

This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

Maltbie Babcock, 1901

 

What can you do today to experience the wonder of God's creation? How will you rest in Him?

Trouble sleeping? Try these tips for beautiful sleep.

Today I'm welcoming my oldest daughter Lauren to the blog as a guest contributor! Lauren is a creative (graphic and web) designer, besides being a wife and a mom to two of my darling granddaughters named Ivy and Hazel. :) I've asked her to write several posts on sleep for us, as this is an area I know many of us sometimes struggle in, and it's one she knows quite well. First, she'll tell us a bit about her story, then share two unique tips for getting better sleep.

 

 

 

My sleep problems began the year I became a mother. And no, it wasn’t because of the precious little girl needing to be fed a few times throughout the night. While my daughter, Ivy, and sweet husband, Robert, slept soundly through the night, I would lie awake for hours trying to go to sleep.

 

What began as the typical new-mom response when a baby wakes up (you know the kind - “Quick! Get the baby!” and associated adrenaline rush) turned into a challenging way of life for years.

 

Insomnia has been something I have struggled with for almost four years. At it’s worst, I’d get less than four hours of sleep most nights for a month or more. There were days when the thought of the impending night would loom over me, making me sick with worry as the evening came to a close.

 

The nights never seemed to end and I’d finally greet the day - sometimes, without even an hour of sleep - only to face the next 12 hours of caring for Ivy and as well as my second daughter, Hazel. It was extremely frustrating not being able to fall asleep or have a reason for this problem. I wasn’t ever particularly worried or stressed about anything specific. My mind would not “shut off” while the hours ticked by.

 

The main concern, then, became sleep itself. The anxiety stacked up like a wall that I could never seem to climb over into restful sleep.

 

I’ve tried many remedies and my quest for better sleep is still ongoing. I recently emerged from a months-long bout of insomnia that peaked around Thanksgiving and recently is showing signs of retreating again.

 

Since I've had to become a student of sleep issues, I want to pass a long some things that I've learned. You’ve probably heard of many common remedies like taking a warm bath or drinking chamomile tea. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve that you may have not considered trying. In this series of blog posts, I’ll be sharing some tips to help you get better sleep.

 

Today, I want to talk to you about light and darkness.

Dim the lights and device screens in the evening.

Did you know that humans are extremely sensitive to light? In fact, various wavelengths of light (remember learning about that in school?) affect the level of melatonin in our bodies. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. When you are exposed to light - especially blue light wavelengths - melatonin levels are low. As the day gets darker and the sun goes down, melatonin rises to help you fall asleep, get deeper rest, and wake with alertness. However, artificial light hinders your body's ability to produce more melatonin before you go to bed. That’s why looking at screens in the evening or in bed is so bad for sleep.

Start by dimming all the lights in your home a few hours before bed. I usually just keep one or two lamps on in the living room. If you need to turn on a light during the night, use very low watt lightbulbs and avoid looking at your phone. And if you like to read in bed, use a dim reading light.

 

You can also take charge of your devices by dimming the blue light emitted from their screens.

• Did you know there’s a handy setting for this on the iPhone and iPad? It’s called Night Shift and it will automatically dim your screen at a set time in the evening.
• I even found another iPhone/iPad hack called Zoom that can dim your screen even more.
• If you use your computer after dark, download a free app called f.lux which also dims your screen to a more orange color.

 

But what about the TV screen? There’s an accessory that will help.

And by accessory, I mean eyeglasses. Because most flat screen TVs are very bright and don’t have the ability to dim the blue light, you can wear orange-tinted glasses to offset the blue. I know what you’re thinking, “That’s a little extreme.” And yes, the pair of glasses I own are not cool-looking by any means!

 

But out of all the remedies I have tried, wearing the glasses in the evenings have made the biggest difference!

I wear these dorky lenses in the evenings beginning a few hours before bed. They are the deepest orange lenses you can get and they block all blue light, even from standard light bulbs. You can find much more attractive lenses online, but these were less than $10 and were a cheap experiment to see if it helped. When I wear the glasses, I can feel my eyes and brain relax, and I’m actually more sleepy by the time I go to bed. I believe that by incorporating these glasses into my evening routine I was able to finally get relief from weeks of sleeplessness.

I've got many more tips to share with you in the coming weeks.

 

I'll share things like my favorite things to listen to to promote relaxation before bed, other natural remedies, and my experience in getting professional help for my health and sleep issues.

Have you ever experienced a series of sleepless nights? I'd love to hear about it. I really look forward to talking about this important issue.

 

~ Lauren

Conquer Your Clutter

Every now and then, I come across something I can't pass up sharing with you. The "Conquer Your Clutter Super Bundle" is just such a thing. In full disclosure this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a percentage from each sale, but please know that I only share products or services that I personally use or think you might benefit from, friend to friend.

 

That said, please read on, because this is a good one.

 

 

This is for all of us who waste time looking for shoes, need help planning meals, or can't find that important document (cough, cough, that's me).

 

There's a great group of organizing gurus — regular people who’ve found practical solutions to their everyday struggles, who are sharing their best tips and tactics with us in all the areas we find most challenging. They've put together a huge bundle of resources to help us.

 

You sort of need to see it to understand it all (I've listed the individual resources below), but the package includes 38 digital products on topics like how to organize your photos, decluttering, family systems, meal planning, time management, and much more. All together, it’s worth over $650.

It also comes with two brilliant bonus offers worth over $40:

• SaneBox – An exclusive credit to save you 12 hours per month ($20 value)
• YNAB – A FREE four month trial to the popular budgeting software ($20 value)

 

Besides being incredibly helpful and inspiring, one of the things I like best about the bundle is the price. By offering the bundle for a short time only, they’re able to give you access to over $650 worth of amazing products for a sweet 95% off.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit their website, take a quick look at all the goodness that comes in this Super Bundle, then click “Get my copy now!” to go through their simple 3-step checkout process.
2. You’ll receive an email with a login to their online access portal, where you’ll begin downloading your eBooks, signing up for your eCourses, printing out planners, and redeeming your free bonus products.
3. Use their Getting Started Guide to pick the area you want to tackle first and start getting organized!

The most important detail, though, is that this bundle is available for just 6 days. After Monday night, January 30th, the sale ends and you’d have to buy all of these products individually.

If you're interested, click HERE to learn more or buy the bundle.

There's a full money-back happiness guarantee, just in case it's not what you were looking for.

 

 

Here's a list of the individual resources that are included, along with their value:

Cleaning & Chores

• 2017 Motivated Moms Chore Planner by Susan Cramer ($9.00)
• 30 Day Guide to a Clean and Organized Home  by Rachel Jones ($27.97)
• Energy Budget: Time Management for the Chronically Ill (And Others With Long-Term Roadblocks) by Rachel Ramey ($78.00)
• The Three Systems Every Family Needs by Saren Loosli ($24.00)

Decluttering

• Chaos To Clutter-Free: 16 Realistic Steps To An Organized Home by Davonne Parks ($4.99)
• Freed from Clutter: Declutter Course  by Becky Mansfield ($47.00)
• Step-By-Step Decluttering: Your Guide To Less Stuff And An Uncluttered Home by Sarah Mueller ($15.00)

Family Organization    

• 30 Days To An Organized Life by Kimberlee Stokes ($9.00)
• Home Management For The Homeschool Mom: Simplifying The Big Things So You Don’t Miss The Little Things by Amy Roberts ($9.99)
• Home Organizing DIY Assessment Workbook by Andi Willis ($7.00)
• Organizing For School Success Kit by Saren Loosli ($27.00)
• Organizing Life As Mom by Jessica Fisher ($12.00)
• Sanity Savers For Christian Moms: Simple Solutions For A More Joy-filled Life! by Kristi Clover ($5.99)

Managing Your Time    

• 5 Days To A Better Morning by Crystal Paine ($2.99)
• Mindspace: 10 Practices To Help You Let Go Of Mental Clutter And Make Room For More Joyful, Creative Living by Melissa Camara Wilkins ($9.99)
• Never-Ending To-Do List: A One-Hour Solution for Busy Parents Who Want  Less Stress And More Fun by Kelly Holmes ($4.99)
• Routine Cards by Rachel Norman ($6.00)
• Spend Your Days: How to Control Time with Rocks, Bullets, Chisels, & a Boat by Tsh Oxenreider ($8.00)

Meal Planning

• Meal Planning Made Easy by Kelly Smith ($7.95)
• The Printable Recipe Binder Kit by Kalyn Brooke ($12.00)
• The Ultimate Guide To Freezer Cooking by Crystal Barton ($10.00)

Organizing Paperwork & Digital Files

• 10 Steps To Organizing Photos & Memorabilia by Lisa Woodruff ($3.95)
• 2017 Budget Planner by Jessi Fearon ($19.97)
• Evernote Essentials by Brett Kelly ($29.00)
• Paperwork: Sorted! by Chrissy Halton ($12.39)
• Spend Well Budgeting System: Printable Files To Help You Take Control Of Your Finances by Carrie Lindsey ($5.99)
• The Sunday Basket: Weekly Paper Organizing & Planning by Lisa Woodruff ($7.95)
• The Ultimate Unofficial Dropbox Guide by Jason Glaspey ($29.00)

Planners

• 2017 All Inclusive Binder by Mique Provost ($19.99)
• 2017 Christmas Planner by Mandi Ehman ($4.00)
• 2017 Homestead Management Printables by Quinn Veon ($8.99)
• 2017 Thanksgiving Planner by Mandi Ehman ($3.00)
• Homekeeping Foundations Kit: The Perfect DIY Homekeeping Binder Kit by Clean Mama ($20.00)
• Homeschool Mom Life Binder by Heather Bowen ($19.99)
• How To Create Your Own Printables by Laura Smith ($49.00)
• Printable Planner Stickers by Rachael Wynn ($28.46)
• The Home Management Binder & Family Planner by Helena Alkhas ($47.00)
• Wanderlist: Your Travel Planning Toolkit by Kimberly Tate ($12.99)

 

 

Pretty cool! I'm personally going to use the section on organizing paperwork and digital files, because Lord knows I need it. Many of the other products don't apply to my current season of life, but the value is such that I can just use what I need and still get my money's worth.

I'd love to hear what specific areas you're working on in your life! Is this something you'd find helpful?

Five Ways to Embrace Quiet Today

 

 

One of the things I remember most clearly about the afternoon of September 11, 2001 was the silence.

The skies were eerily absent of sound.

I had never really noticed the near-constant hum of aircrafts...until there was none. All planes were grounded that day - and with them the noise of modern life.

It was a profound experience.

It's safe to say that these days, some sixteen years later, are filled with more noise and more distraction than ever. It's hard to believe just how much technology has become part of our everyday lives. Between cellphones and devices, music in restaurants and retail spaces (even outdoor spaces), machinery, traffic, radio, television, and of course planes overhead....sometimes I feel bombarded by constant noise.

Do you feel that way too?

I really believe that we weren't made for this kind of existence. And now, science tells us what we aleady know to be true:

We need silence.

 

We need quiet.

 

Silence helps our brains function better, and even grow. It helps unclutter our minds so we can be more creative. It unlocks the subconscious part of our brains that is idling in the background so that we can solve problems more easily. It improves our memory.

Silence helps our physical bodies to heal faster by reducing the stress hormone that responds to noise in a "fight or flight" manner. It helps reduce high blood pressure and heart disease.

Quiet reduces anxiety and stress.

Silence simply helps us function better as humans.

 

Today, let's embrace quiet.

Let's create moments of restfulness that we so desperately need. Sometimes that's easier said than done, I know.

 

Here are five ways to embrace and incorporate quiet into your day:

1. Simply become mindful of background noise. Be aware that you might be so accustomed to constant sound that quietness may make you feel uncomfortable. Fight through. The benefits of silence are worth it.

 

2.  Turn off your phone. At the very least, turn off notifications on your phone. Smartphones make us less productive when we work, and also less likely to be truly "still." Set your phone out of reach, and check it only at specific times. I've recently removed Facebook and Twitter from my phone and iPad and it feels FABULOUS. 

 

3. Go outside. Breathe the fresh air. Close your eyes. If you are a city-dweller, find a park or take a drive. Nature has a restorative effect on our minds and bodies, and best of all...it's free!

 

4. Take a bold step and turn off the TV and devices. We recently rearranged our living room and moved the TV to another area. It's still available if we want to watch it, but suddenly my living room feels incredibly calm. I realized I spend as much time surfing the channels (or Netflix) to find something to watch, as actually watching something worthwhile. The quiet encourages me to read or journal...two things I say I want to do but rarely "have the time."

Perhaps set aside one night each week as a "media-free" night. It will change your life.

 

5. Meditate. Do you have a scripture you've memorized, or are working on memorizing? Bring it to mind and simply think on it. Pray the Lord's Prayer, pausing to digest the words. Or how about the 23rd Psalm? Oh, the comfort! Meditating on, even saying aloud, words like these brings an incredible a sense of peace, no matter what you are facing. It quiets your heart and strengthens your spirit.

 

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." I often think that the noise of our lifestyles keeps us from taking steps toward knowing Him. Because how can we, when we are distracted, hurried and restless? How can we, when a cacophony of sounds crowds every waking moment?

Quiet must be valued.

Silence must be sought out.

Because only then will we be able to listen for that still, small voice.

 

God is calling you.

Can you hear Him?

 

Prayer for the President of the United States

This year, Fridays are normally dedicated to the idea of "beauty," but since the U.S. is inaugurating a new President today, I thought I'd share a beautiful prayer from 1947, when Dr. Peter Marshall, the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate prayed it. The words still resonate today.

 

 

 

 

We pray, Lord Jesus, for our President.

We are deeply concerned that he may know the will of God, and that he may have the spiritual courage and grace to follow it.

 

Deliver him, we pray, from all selfish considerations.

Lift him above the claims of politics.

Fill him with the Spirit of God that shall make him fearless to seek, to know, to do the right.

Save him from the friends who, in the name of politics or even friendship, would persuade him from that holy path.

 

Strengthen and empower his advisers.

Bring them, too, to their knees in prayer.

May their example and their influence spread, that we, in these United States,

may yet have a government of men who know Thee, the Almighty God, as their Friend,

and who place Thy will first in their lives as well as in their prayers.

 

Hear and answer, we pray Thee,

forgiving us all our unworthiness;

cleansing us from every ignoble thought and unworthy ambition

that we may be renewed in spirit and mind and heart, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

 

from: The Prayers of Peter Marshall, by Catherine Marshall

Save your sanity: have a Daily Routine

 

No matter what season of life you're in, having a Daily Routine can save your ever-lovin' sanity.

I say this as one who has moved from the seasons of babies & toddlers of my own – to GRAND babies and toddlers of my own...and still managed to maintain my messy tendencies.

I have proven that the theory of "when the kids grow up and move away I'll be SO much neater" has a lot of holes in it. Why, it's practically "wishful thinking!"

The other day, I was completely annoyed by the careless way five pairs of shoes were randomly left around the house...until I realized they were ALL MINE. (Then of course, I excused myself because I knew how busy I'd been. I couldn't be expected to put my shoes away considering the duress I'd been under, could I?)

Turns out, putting the shoes away took me all of 1.5 minutes, and the task reminded me how helpful Daily Routines are, especially for Messy Perfectionists like me.

I've always called Daily Routines "Minimum Maintenance," and each year I've blogged about how doing a daily minimum amount of work is not only a game-changer, but a sanity saver.

 

Recently, I read about a study that shows links between clutter and depression, and it makes total sense to me that when we are drowning in too much stuff, too much mess, and too much busyness, we can't live freely and generously...like we wish we could.

 

Basically, clutter makes us feel drained. 

And it's hard to be creative and optimistic when you're just pooped out all the time. 

 

Many people think their clutter situation is just too big to be impacted in any significant way by a Daily Routine.

They know their homes need a major overhaul, so what good will "washing dishes and picking up" be when everything else is in such disarray?

And so, they wait for the perfect moment to present itself (in the form of a work-and-obligation-free month) for the "real work" to take place, and of course that never happens.

Take it from one who knows.

You can read more about my Minimum Maintenance and Housekeeping Tips here - trust me they are POWERFUL, but for today I'll just hit the highlights of the things I have learned that make true sanctuary start happening.

 

My Daily Routines

ONE

Morning Self Care: Shower, get dressed (including shoes), put makeup on. Nothing says "I'm uninspired" like staying in PJ's until noon. Obviously, if you are heading out the door to work, pajamas are not an option. Most likely. I like to have personal prayer and devotion time before the day begins, but I'll be honest, sometimes evening just works better for that. (For me).

 

TWO

Sinks, counters and stove: Staying on top of dishes is almost a full-time job, but the best things I do is at least get them all done (and kitchen cleaned) each night. Waking up to an empty, clean sink is a delight. And it also makes you feel like you're not starting the day in a huge deficit.

I always make coffee the night before and set the timer so I wake to the smell of fresh coffee brewing. And a clean kitchen.

Bathroom sinks and counters...I'm personally less intentional each day about those, but I feel like a million bucks when I take the time to straighten and wipe down. 

 

THREE

Daily quick tidying: five minutes per room. Have you ever timed yourself for five minutes? You can get an INCREDIBLE amount of tidying done in short order. The timer is your best friend. It's great for motivating kids to help as well!

Make beds. Notice how magazines always show bedrooms with beautifully made beds? That's because unmade beds are gross. Also, having your bed made is an instant mood booster, and you're way less likely to fall back into it.

I do a quick pick up of the living room before I go to bed.

 

FOUR

Be "Company Ready." Ask yourself, "what would a visitor see if they (oh, horror of horrors) dropped by unannounced?" Pick up the entry area, living room and guest bathroom so that those places look presentable, and thus save you from utter humiliation.

A by-product is that when YOU walk in the door, you feel welcomed and impressed. It feels like sanctuary in here, you think.

 

These Daily Routines are not meant to be a deep, organizational cleaning system.

They are simply designed to create a "clean enough" environment for each day. You'll be amazed what "clean enough" can do for ya.

I find that when things are tidy, I can think straight. Er, straighter. I am more creative, motivated and productive. 

And strangely enough, I feel spiritually more connected to the Lord. It seems I just can't settle my mind and heart to hear Him when the place is a mess.

Go figure. I guess "Home Sanctuary" affects more than just my mood. It affects my spiritual life as well.

We'll talk more about that later.

 

What to do when life's interruptions make you feel afraid, anxious and overwhelmed

 

But first, an embarrassing story.

 

 

When Toy Story 3 came out in 2010, we were super excited to see it. We had loved Toy Story 1 and 2 – they'd been family favorites and the source of perfect quotes ("That's not flying, it's FALLING....with style!") for years.

But what made Toy Story 3 so anticipated was the fact that it had 3D animation.

Every review we read regaled us with how this incredible new technology made the colors more vivid, the action so real, and the animation unbelievable! On and on went the accolades, so that the entire country was abuzz over it.

We couldn't wait! When it finally arrived at our theater, we bought our tickets, received our packages containing special 3D glasses, and sat down in the best seats, ready for this transcendent experience we'd heard so much about.

 

 

I put my glasses on, and then good golly, oh for crying out loud. I immediately needed to make a last minute run to the ladies' room. I put the glasses in my purse and made a beeline so I wouldn't miss anything.

I made it back to my seat just as the movie was beginning, so I pulled my glasses out and sat back to enjoy the new wonder of THREE DEE.

Instantly, I knew we'd been had.

This whole 3D hype was a sham!

Not only was the animation NOT better, it was worse! The colors were muddy. The picture was blurry. The animation was dim.

It was terrible. Ridiculous! A huge disappointment!

And the worst part was that everyone in the theater was pretending to enjoy it!

Well, I was upset. I felt like the little boy in The Emperor's New Clothes, the only one in the crowd with the courage to see right through this hoax. I was about to stand up and shout the naked truth to the capacity crowd, when my husband glanced at me...and then did a double-take.

"Rachel, why are you wearing your sunglasses?" he whispered. He had that one-eyebrow-up look I've come to know so well.

What???? 

No.

Seriously?

I slowly removed them and took a look.

Yep.

Sunglasses.

Ignoring Tom's snicker, I rummaged around in my purse for the correct pair and put them on.

Oh. my. word.

AMAZING! Such vivid colors! Such incredible animation! The picture just sparkled!

It was magical! I was mesmerized.

Here's the thing: It was the same movie...I just had different lenses on.

 

You see, the right lenses made all the difference.

 

This weekend, I spoke to a wonderful group of people in Arkansas, who had read Flash as part of their state-wide book club, and asked me to come and share personally with them "beyond the book." It was so much fun to hear their stories, and learn how my four-legged "interruption" had impacted them through the lessons I wrote about in the pages.

I was reminded that no matter what our stories are, it seems that life's interruptions are unavoidable.

Problem is, not all of them are cute, fuzzy ones with long ears.

Some of them are just plain hard. They can make you feel afraid, anxious and overwhelmed.

Things like a divorce, a job loss, a relocation, loss of a loved one...things that just knock the stuffing right out of you.

Even the "good" interruptions like new babies, kids growing up and moving away, job promotions, new marriages...well, they can make you feel off-kilter and anxious as well.

But even though we may not be able to change our circumstances, we CAN change the lenses we view them with.

Viewing our interruptions through the right lenses transforms how we respond to them.

And our responses have the power to change the world around us, because transformed people transform the world.

 

If you are facing an unexpected or uninvited interruption today, let me suggest three lenses that will make all the difference in how you view it.

 

 

The first is the lens of Faith.

This is not a "just believe harder" kind of exercise, but more of a "rest in God's presence" point of view.

This lens doesn't deny that what you're experiencing may be hard. It is hard. It may be very hard. But it also acknowledges that God is present with you in it.

He is with you.

He will never leave you.

He will never abandon you.

He is at work in the reality you can't see...behind the reality you CAN see. Think of a microscope, and how it sees beyond the surface to the amazing world going on beyond what our natural eyes are able to see.

The lens of faith is the lens of trust. Today, choose to trust Him with your circumstance...even if you don't understand the "why" or "how" of it.

He is Emmanuel, God with us. And He is with you.

You can trust Him. Jesus says, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." John 28:10

 

The second is the lens of Hope.

This is the lens that looks past the present and toward the future. It takes the long view, like binoculars would.

It sees a harbor, waaaay off in the distance....and tells you to keep on rowing.

This is the Romans 8:28 perspective that all things really WILL work together...some day, somehow, some way. And it will be good.

God will make all things right.

He is redeeming all things.

Restoring all things.

Wherever you are right now, remember that THIS IS NOT THE FINAL CHAPTER.

This is not the end.

The good stuff is yet to come.

Keep on going.

 

The third is the lens of Love.

This is the lens that, like a prism, takes and bends the light of God's love toward you, and sends it out in all directions, in a rainbow of magnificent colors.

This lens changes our words from "IF God really loved me," (this thing wouldn't have happened) to "BECAUSE God loves me..."

Because God loves me, I have strength for today.

Because God loves me, I am surrounded by people who care about me.

Because God loves me, this difficulty has not destroyed me.

Because God loves me, I'm still standing.

Because God loves me, I can freely love others.

God IS love, says 1 John 4:8. Just THINK about that for a minute! God is love.

Wherever you are, whatever you are facing...you are loved. You are being held by His loving arms.

He will not let you fall.

 

We are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that when all the gifts pass away, there will always remain faith, hope, and love.

Yet how seldom we think about their significance and power!

Faith: God is present, here and now.

Hope: God is taking care of our future.

Love: Because He loves you, you are free–FREE–to let that love bend, reflect and refract out in all directions.

 

Choosing new lenses with which to look at our interruptions allows us to see the "God moments" that we wouldn't otherwise see.

And something else happens, too.

All that fear, anxiety and overwhelm?

They seem to fade into oblivion, just like when you take off your sunglasses in a 3D movie....and put the right glasses on.

All the beauty, the vividness, the brilliance, and the incredible pictures of God's love come to life, before our very eyes. 

Same circumstance, new lenses. 

But what a difference they make.

 

Redecorate by shopping your own house

On Fridays this year, we are going to talk about how to bring beauty into your home sanctuary - by making it look pretty, sound peaceful, feel soothing, smell wonderful, and be filled with good tasting food.

That should give us plenty to discuss, huh?

 

Today, I want to show you how to showcase meaningful items that you already have, by creating a centerpiece or focal point with them.

After I took the Christmas stuff down, I was ready for a clean, minimal look. Do you feel that way too, after all the garland comes down? I love it while it's all up, but man! I'm so ready for a fresh look!

My favorite way to redecorate is by "shopping the house." It's free, and it's fun.

It's also free!

I do this by wandering from room to room, usually with a handful of chocolate chips in hand (helps me think), and I look for items that are raising their little arms and yelling, "Pick ME! Pick ME!"

"You poor little set of books," I murmur. "You've been jammed in the corner of this bookshelf for far too long!" 

I take them out and dust them off. They belonged to my grandpa, who was a Lutheran minister for forty years. They make me think of him, and make me remember him praying the Lord's Prayer at the dinner table.

I pause to enjoy the memory. How I loved him!

Now, for something to set on top of the stack. Waaaay up in a cabinet, behind the candles, sits my grandpa's old movie camera.

 

Perfect! A perfect pairing.

 

 

Wait. I'm going to need a small tablecloth to anchor everything. To the linen closet I go.

A vintage embroidered "topper" is just the right size for my large brown coffee table. It breaks up ALL THE BROWN in my living room, and sets off my display. So glad I bought 15 vintage toppers for my daughter's wedding five years ago! Plenty to choose from.

I really should iron this, but I'm on a roll and don't want to stop.

 

 

I like where this is going.

Now.

Something tall. Think, think.

This blue-green garage sale vase still has some Christmas greenery in it (I missed it when I boxed everything up). But berries are "wintery," not just "Christmasy," right?

 

 

 

 

Maybe if I add......

 

...a bird's nest? YES.

 

I found the bird's nest this fall, and love the creativity that went into making it! Twigs, grass, leaves...here's even a bit of dried snakeskin around the outside! Gosh, it makes me smile.

Now, a display looks best in groupings of three's...maybe fives. Don't even think about junking it up with seven.

 

My soul is longing for "less" so I opt for three.

 

This "R" was a Christmas present. I had placed it charmingly on my bedroom dresser and was happy with it there, but hey, when you're shopping the house you just grab stuff. Sorry dresser. Most of the time, I gather more than I need, and then just try out different groupings.

 

 

Want to do some redecorating/arranging of your own, WITHOUT SPENDING A DIME?

Here are a few takeaway tips:

Try anchoring your collection with a cloth or tray. It will make it feel cohesive and give it more "weight."

Look for things of differing heights and textures.

Go for groups of 3 or 5 if possible, but don't get all legalistic about it.

If something is too small, place it on a stack of books, chunk of wood or whatever else you got.

Look for similar colors to tie your collection together, but don't get too matchy-matchy. (I like the way the red books look!)

Look for the items that are waving their little arms and yelling "Pick ME!" Give them their day in the sun.

Edit. Rearrange. Look from lots of angles.

PLAY!

Don't feel like you have to put EVERY MEMENTO on display at once. Fewer IS better. (If some items complain about not being chosen, just tell them, "Next time, little one.") (They'll be fine.)

 

Now - GET GOING! Go add some beauty to your home by shopping the house!

And feel free to post pics to our Facebook page! We'd all love to see!

Let us know: what item(s) will you enjoy displaying?

Let's get organized...

Sanctuary is all about peace, order and beauty. Today, we're going to jump right in to Order.

Because it's best to not think about it too long. Just jump in. Come on!

 

 

Confession: I can't say the word "organized" without channeling Wallace, from Wallace and Gromit's "A Close Shave."

 

As in, "Get yourselves OH-ganized down there!"

 

 

via youtube

That scene cracks me up EVERY TIME!

 

First of all, I know the pain of clutter and how it just wears. you. down. I know how difficult it is to pretend you have it all together when it took an hour to find matching shoes. I know how hard it is to function when you feel like a total failure.

I know what it feels like to struggle to get motivated to clean up.

And this is not just for moms with little kids at home. I can tell you as an empty-nester, that old habits, like precious memories- oh, how they linger.

I think there's a song about that.

ANYWAY. This is why I don't like to read blogs about organizing. It's because they are generally written by people who NATURALLY love to organize. They go to bed dreaming of how they will put cat food into a stackable container and label it....to go with all their other matching containers.

I just shake my head. smh

But I have learned that it's possible for messy people to be organized enough to function. 

And that there is a level of clean that's "clean enough."

 

And it's possible to be clean and organized enough that your home really does feel like a sanctuary.

 

And living in a sanctuary feels very, very good. 

So, let's begin. Here's the good news: If you struggle to stay organized at home, part of the problem isn't so much with YOU.

It's with your tools.

You've GOT to have the right tools, or it will always feel too hard to do anything. 

For example, sometimes I think about how many times I've struggled with a standard screwdriver when the task called for a Phillips....or I've tried to to pound a nail with a shoe...things that should be simple and quick tasks become frustrating because I can't put my hands on the right tools when I need them.

The same is true for homekeeping.

I find that if I have the things I need IN STOCK - and HANDY - I can accomplish little tasks effortlessly, without the frustration and inevitable procrastination that comes when I can't find the tools.  

As we start planning for an organized, easy-to-maintain sanctuary this year, the first place to start is with the right tools.....housekeeping supplies, if you will.

When I can reach under a bathroom sink and can pull out a pop-up wipe, I am waaaaaaay more likely to keep the bathroom tidy than when I have to search for a paper towel somewhere in the house, then locate the spray cleaner and then return to......wait. 

Where was I?? What was it that needed cleaning? Hold on, what's Kelly Rippa talking about now? Oh, that's so funny. Let me sit here for a second and see what's happening on TV.

I'm not kidding, this is how I work.

That is unless I have tools, right then and there, that help me focus on the task at hand. 

 

Now, Wednesdays are going to be our "Small Thing" Days. I'm going to assign an easy task for you to do (15 min or less) that will absolutely work miracles in your life.

But only if you do them.

Just thinking, "that's a good idea, I should do that sometime" doesn't work miracles.

Actually doing them does.

 

Today's Small Thing is to take stock of your cleaning supplies.  

Make a list of the things you need, and have them ready to go...by next Wednesday.

 

Oh, Rachel, you're too easy on us.

I know.

I suggest keeping your supplies where you actually use them: under sinks (child-proofed, of course) or at the very least on each floor of the house or each end of the house. The best part of a cleaning strategy is simply to have your tools HANDY!

Get these at a discount store to put in a caddy per bathroom (or floor level). I splurged on some cute baskets from Walmart recently and love how they make me excited to put cleaning products in them. I opened my under-sink cabinets about 50 times to admire them. 

Yes, I'm that dorky.

"Small Things" Supplies

Glass Cleaner
Surface Cleaner
Abrasive cleaner
Paper Towels
Sponges
Trash bags
Dust cloth/spray
Wisk broom/dust pan
Rubber gloves
Potty  scrub-brush

Optional: Pop-up wipes (love these)

General cleaning supplies to have:

Floor cleaner
Vinegar
Disinfectant spray
Tools: brooms, mop, vacuum
Trash bags

Swiffers - oh so nice!

 

Starting fresh with the tools you need will give you power to spend time on the things you really WANT to do, instead of feeling victimized by all the housework.

Sanctuary is not just about cleaning, but it's about caring for your home and the people who live in it. 

It's part of showing love AND helping your family members belong to the process of homemaking.  

 

Today, take stock of what you have and start getting everything together. Be ready to make 2017 the year of "sacred spaces" by working smarter and more efficiently.

Give yourself permission to create a wonderful home sanctuary for yourself and your loved ones.

 

 

Tell me: what is your favorite cleaning product? Do you use "brand name" products, or generic ones?
 

Let's start this with a prayer.

 

Good morning!

All weekend long I thought about this post. I wanted to find a really special prayer or scripture or quote to share that would inspire us to start our year off "just right", so I looked all over the place for one. Prayer books, the Bible, online searches...but everything I found felt too stilted or contrived for my taste. I complained to my husband about my dilemma.

Tom, in his gentle but direct way, said "Rachel, you're over-thinking this. Just pray for your readers yourself."

You gotta love that guy. He rarely misses.

So, with all humility and simplicity, here is my prayer for you today.

And if you're not particularly religious, that's okay. I hope you'll find that, although I'm not shy about my faith, I won't beat you up with it either. I know that each of us is at a different place in our life journeys and my hope is that I can simply encourage you along the path. Stay with me here, won't you?

 

 

Dear Lord,

I'm praying for my blog friends today. They've opened laptops, turned on phones, started computers, and grabbed tablets in the middle of their busy days to read this...and I know you see them right where they are. In an office cubicle, in the Starbucks line for a double shot, in the carpool line dropping kids off, in the kitchen with a pile of dishes, in WalMart buying Batman underwear for a kid, or still in bed with the covers pulled up in the hopes of a few more minutes. 

You see.

You know.

And You care.

I pray that no matter what circumstance she finds herself, each woman...each of my "Company Girls"...would sense Your love in a real way.

You are Emmanuel, God with us.

You are here.

This year, we are committing to creating sanctuaries at home - for our families and for ourselves. We want these to be "sacred spaces" that feel good and, well, kind of holy when we walk through the door. We want to live uncluttered and free. We want to enjoy the blessings we've been given without wishing for more stuff. We want to make things beautiful on a budget. Maybe we'd just be happy with making it through one single day without yelling. Just being real, here, Lord.

We need peace. YOUR peace.

Your shalom.

For some, it might feel like an impossible prayer, this presence of peace and love.

But I know that nothing is too hard for You. 

You specialize in Impossible.

Homes that are filled with peace, order and beauty are completely and utterly possible with You. In fact, I think You'd be delighted to help us with this.

And so I ask You to bless the work of our hands for us.

Give us courage to face the tasks that fill our days, and the grace to accept the things that are beyond our control.

Help us to give our burdens to you so that we have room for joy, for lightheartedness, for laughter.

Point us in the right direction for pillows that are on sale. (Just kidding a little bit, Lord.) 

Most of all, give us hearts to love, hands to give, and eyes to see Your daily graces.

Thank you for my sweet blog friends. Thank you for this amazing way to connect through screens, phones and tablets. Your goodness is even in that.

May we find our sanctuary in You.

Amen.

 

 

 

I'd love to pray for you personally today. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email (link in sidebar) to let me know how I can pray. If you've received this via email, simply hit "reply" and I'll get it.

With love,

Rachel