"Beloved, I'm Home!" ~ Homemakers Challenge

On my facebook profile Grace Flyingat Home I recently wrote a note describing the conversation I had with my husband a while back, about defining the levels of clean we would like to see in our home. I chose to use this conversation to complete Mary's Challenge from Day 3. Here is the abridged version of the levels (please follow the link to the note for the more descriptive version):

1. "Honey, I'm Home!" ~ Home should be neat and welcoming to my husband after a long day's work.
2. "Honey, So-and-so is coming over!" ~ Once a week I would like to have a completely clean home, worthy of company. (Much more involved than Level 1)
3. "Honey, can you help me with this?" ~ These are the Honey-do lists, the Saturday-off projects that happen on the occasion. Includes all prep and clean up and we should be doing at least one per month... together :o)

But as I read Day 7, and read Romans 8:20-21...

"Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay."

...I was reminded of a thought I had last year that was a strong motivator to get my house clean. Mary and Martha had the opportunity to actually invite Jesus into their home. He walked in. He looked around. He walked through, and sat down. But if he came to my house, what would he think? And since he is already "in my house" because his Spirit is alive and present within my life... does it look like he is here? Is my home inviting to my guests so that they can see the fruits of the Spirit at work in everything I do? Is my home welcoming so that we can sit down without sliding unfolded clothes off the couch? Can I invite a girlfriend over and talk about matters of the heart over a cup of coffee without being distracted by the clutter closing in around us?

No. No, I can't.

So, I am editing my previous list. All three levels will now be subcategories of "Beloved, I'm Home!" And this is really a matter of the heart and the inspiration behind accomplishing the other list. This is about Colossians 3:23-24

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

And then, we can live our lives graciously @ home, because we will be living with the truth that our Beloved is at home and welcomed within us.

 

I linked up over at Homemakers Challenge!

Be sure to read some of the other great posts that are linked up as well. This is a wonderful group of ladies!!!