Scrubbing With A Smile?

It's no secret - I really don't like house cleaning.  I mean, I really dislike it.  I am sure to some degree it's a result of cleaning being used as punishment when I was a kid.  My sister and I spent our summers with our Dad and his wife. With my Dad at work all day, she used her own methods of discipline.  To give you some perspective of the extent of the absurdity of this form of discipline I will share that once his wife made my sister scrub the kitchen floor with a toothbrush.  To this day I would prefer to have a house that does not have baseboards.  I will dread cleaning the seemingly miles of little cracks and lines for the rest of my life.

But this post is not about her or child discipline techniques.  It's about cleaning and my battle with it.  This month marks one full year of me being a stay at home mom.  And after a whole year, I still get all bent out of shape when it's time to scrub a toilet or vacuum the stairs.  I mean, who wants a back ache for the rest of the week just to have fluffy stairs?  And considering what we put in a toilet, does it really need to sparkle?  Yeah, I know, cleanliness is next to Godliness.  So do I keep murmuring and complaining like a child or do I get over it and start cleaning with a smile?

I have decided to go with option "B."  A while ago a friend of mine told me that she always dreaded paying bills.  It would get her all wound up and cranky.  Then one day she just stopped and thanked God that she could pay her bills.  Not only did the act of paying her bills become much less painful but their finances began to improve and have continued to do so since then.  I put that practice into place for my bills and I can say, it really works!  It's amazing that just the act of being grateful can change and improve so much.  It had never really occurred to me to put this into practice into other areas of my life until now!

Starting this week I have decided to apply that to everything I complain and murmur about.  If the bathrooms are taunting me I am going to thank God for indoor plumbing!  I mean really, what would life be like without it?!   Vacuuming? Praise and thanks, Father for a home to vacuum and for a working vacuum!  Piles of laundry growing all over - I am so grateful to not have to scrub my hubby's britches down at the creek with some rocks!

Just writing this is making me feel better.  I think I might even vacuum the stairs this week. Oh, and clean the refrigerator that I am so thankful to have!  (To be honest, probably still not going to scrub the baseboards.) 

This may turn out to be a positive and productive week!  My patient husband may end up asking what I have done with his real wife.

Full Time Happy

I realize that many days (lately, most) I am so intent on completing all that needs done that I forget to stop and just enjoy the time I have with my daughter.  My goal for today - and the ones to come, but lets take this one day at a time - is to still get things done while taking the time to play, laugh, dance and sing with my little Gracie.  She is such a fun and imaginative child.  I am ashamed of myself for not being more grateful for and actively involved with the beauty and love she injects into every activity.

So for all the Moms and Dads out there that are constantly trying to accomplish - Don't forget to enjoy your greatest accomplishment!  We only get a few precious years with them before they go off into the great big world and get too busy to enjoy us!  


On that note - I have a little snuggle bunny waiting patiently for Mommy to get off the computer!


May your day be filled with laughter, love and joy!

First Post - Abundant Mercies

Lamentations 3:22-23

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²²It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassion's fail not.
    ²³They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.


I don't know about you, but if the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness were not fresh everyday, I would be in a lot of trouble!  I am grateful to know that when I fail, His compassion does not.  He knows me and understands me and He loves me anyway!  Once I wrapped my head around that, I was brought to my knees.  Each day I have to be reminded and each day He is faithful to remind me that He is Love.  


My intention with this blog is to give voice to my journey - My physical, spiritual, creative and mental journeys.  At 35, I have already passed much of the journey and will add those flashbacks as I feel inspired.  For now, I am going to start with the present - because it is a gift!


The reason for this intention is the hope that even one person may read this blog and feel encouraged. No matter where you are in life, there is always hope for today and tomorrow.  If you are beat down, broken, jaded or just plain tired, then stick with me.  I have faith you will see "light" closer than the end of the tunnel!


In sharing this Truth and Love I will also share myself.  Not a "church face" but the real me, with real struggles, joys, lessons and tons of laughs and love.  Being a homeschooling mom, stay at home wife, artist at heart if not in skill and a lover of all things beautiful, I venture to say that this should be a pretty interesting mix of information!  


I am fumbling my way through "this blog thing" and hope to have more for you soon!


Peace and Love to all!


Jamie