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52 Ways for More Serenity in Life and Home :: week #48, #49

52 Ways for More Serenity in Life and Home :: week #48, #49

One year ago today….

I began a journey of sharing words, prayerfully encouraging you to bring more peace into your life.

This week, just in time for a one year anniversary, we’ll wrap up the weekly series 52 ways for More Serenity in Life and Home.  I would thank you for joining me, but let’s save this until the end.

There are a few more encouragements yet….

Week #48  Don’t engage every battle

One thing I learned (or at least tried to apply) in 2013, is this simple principle — leave some conflicts or potential struggles alone.

Except it’s not so simple really to live out.

I sometimes have this incredible need to clarify to the nth degree, hoping to assure understanding and mutual peace on both sides of an issue.  I’m the type of friend who would sit for hours listening and sharing — all for the sake of harmony.

However wonderful this trait may sound, this isn’t always the best course of action for us as Christians.  Sometimes, it’s wisdom to release the reins of a situation altogether…and quickly!

In preparing his disciples for ministry, Jesus specifically instructed them to ‘shake the dust off their feet‘ and to quietly withdraw rather than engaging in heated debate, or even waiting for understanding and acceptance of their words.

Instead, Christ told them to ‘keep their peace with them’.

And this is where we find ourselves sometimes, yes?

Working so hard to make a situation work, to get someone to listen and hear, to share more clearly, more fully, or just MORE…when maybe, just maybe, we should hold our peace.  To quietly withdraw without saying much more.

Don’t engage every battle or take up every fight, sister.  It’s a sure-fire way to drain your peace and serenity.

There is a time for everything — a time to be silent, and a time to speak.  Ask for wisdom to know the difference.

Week #49  Organize Yourself!

Shifting gears to a more practical side… 🙂

Don’t give up reading this post yet, I’m not at all saying everyone needs to plan out their days as I do!

My systems of errand notebooks, simplified cleaning, and file folders for each week of the year are tremendously helpful to me.  Planning and organizing our days is my contribution to keeping our family and myself on track — plus, I find it fun!

That said, each of us has to find our own way.

As a home manager, it is well worth your time and effort to figure out what method of organization works for you and your family.  It can be more detailed or ultra-simple.

The point is not to compare or contrast yourself with others (the cause of SO many ‘mommy wars’!), but to instead work a system which suits your needs.

To inspire you, I want to re-post words from that file folder post mentioned above….may you find encouragement here:

“Not every system works for each of us, and if you’ve stuck with this post and think ‘no way’ — maybe it’s just not for you!  I’m grateful for variety in how to organize our lives for the glory of God.

Because to me, this is the point is it not?

There is no separation between the sacred and the secular in Christ.  All we do, all we are, should be fashioned to give highest praise to our God.  When I work a system which in turn eases my task of serving my family and myself well – this, yes even this, gives praise to God.”

I believe it to be true — you can glorify God in the managing your home and life, and you should.

So….organize yourself!  

{If you need a starting place, I highly recommend Crystal Paine’s new book Say Good-bye to Survival Mode}

 

2 comments
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  • BrunaJanuary 14, 2014 - 7:27 pm

    thanks for posting this Daniele!
    God bless you!ReplyCancel

  • danieatdomesticJanuary 16, 2014 - 8:45 pm

    You’re welcome Bruna – good to see you here! 🙂ReplyCancel

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Daniele Evans