31 Days to Clean Challenge

I found and downloaded what looks to be a wonderful e-book, 31 Days to Clean (having a Martha house the Mary way) by Sarah Mae (only $4.99). Now, to make this happen in my home, I'm joining the 31 day challenge with other homemakers across the globe for support and encouragement.

It was about 4 years ago that I went through the book A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I was in a bible study with many older women, most who were grandmothers. It was before I had my son, and there were wonderful chapters on creating a God-centered home. It was wonderful to start building this foundation before my son came. Here are the chapters on managing your home from her book:

A Heart That Makes a House a Home

A Heart That Watches Over the Home

A Heart That Creates Order from Chaos

A Heart that Weaves a Tapestry of Beauty

It was incredibly inspiring but it's been a long time since I visited something like this. I want to look deeper into how I am managing my home. I had a pretty good cleaning schedule I had been keeping most weeks for the past year, but lately I've lost a bit of my motivation. I don't have the same spirit I once did. I'm finding myself cutting corners and trying to avoid housework rather than embracing it as something I'm doing to honor the Lord. I want to breathe life back into the things I do around the house, to realize that in all things, whether big or small, I can live out his word like Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

I look forward to posting weekly about this as I start the challenge this week.

In case you are interested in downloading the book and doing the challenge yourself, here are the instructions for the challenge:

1. Read the chapters each day that week. Highlight, take notes, do what you have to do to engage the material. Don’t just read it. Really allow it to change you. Journal, pray, look up scriptures.
2. Write a post (or more, if you like) sharing your most challenging chapter for that week and give us a personal glimpse as to why you struggle in this area. Don’t worry! We all have an area of struggle, so we will all be sharing! Share what you need that could help you in that area. I will be posting a struggle, but also some extra solutions to accompany what Sarah Mae has offered. If you feel compelled, why not also share something that comes easily for you? Perhaps you could offer tips to others who may be struggling?
3. Use the button in your post so that others can find their way back in case they would like to join us. The more the merrier! I have changed the code so it brings you to the list of “31 Days to Clean” posts. You can find the button in my sidebar.
4. Link up your post(s) on Friday, beginning May 6th . It doesn’t matter what day you choose to write your post, you can still link it up on Friday.