Personal Order Part 1 - My Weekly Schedule

I was planning to start "spring cleaning" as soon as March began and I was going to blog about my tips. BUT as I sat down to make my to-do list, it hit me. How am I going to get my house in order when I don't even have myself in order?

For years, I have risen early to have a quiet time at 6ish, I've prayer journaled daily, I've exercised 4-5 days a week, I've limited my television viewing time and I've gone to bed around 10ish. But lately I've been slacking in my daily disciplines. Somewhere between November and February I began to eat more, exercise less, go to bed later, web surf longer and prayer journal less.

So, I've decided to spend my month of March regaining personal order and start the spring cleaning in April! If you know me well, you know I LOVE schedules. And I've been asked many times over the years about how I do my schedules. So I thought I'd share some of them with you.

Let me first say - this is not a "Bible based tip". If you are not the "schedule" type do not feel that I am trying to put you in a box. The most important thing is that you honor God in the way you run your household. Proverbs 5:21 says "A man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths." Our main objective is to please God as we run our homes.

One thing I am sure of - God is a God of order. The sun rises and sets on a schedule. The tide comes in and goes out on a schedule. The seasons change from summer to winter on a schedule. These things are predictable and this predictability gives us peace in the midst of a chaotic world.

For me - my schedule creates peace in the midst of my sometimes very chaotic home with little ones. I cannot control sickness, bad moods, bad days, or what the economy will do next. But I can control what time I go to bed and will rise (except on nights when someone is ill.) I can choose what time I will read my Bible or what time I will exercise - unless there's an unseen emergency. I am responsible for how I spend every minute and the decisions I make control them. But we must beware of being rigid, I read somewhere where it said "if you are flexible you will bend with your schedule - if you are rigid you will break."

So today - I'll share my "weekly" schedule with you - tomorrow my "daily" schedule and on Wednesday my "meal planning" schedule.

Sundays - Church and Rest Day

Mondays - Declutter and Recover from the weekend mess

Tuesdays - Bible Study and Errand Day

Wednesdays - Cleaning Day

Thursdays - Grocery Shopping Day

Fridays - Laundry Day

Saturdays - Chore Day for the Children (Clean their rooms, bathroom and basement)

I know all women have a flow or a rhythm that you weekly do - maybe without even writing it down on paper - so what is your "flow" or "schedule"? If you don't have one and you tend to procrastinate and then do it all before there's company or when your fridge is empty - you may find that writing up a schedule - and sticking to it - will relieve some stress in your life.

On Tuesdays, I rest after errands - because I know on Wednesday I will be cleaning. On Thursdays after grocery shopping and putting the groceries away - even though the laundry is stacked high in the closets - I can exercise, do my Bible study or play with the children - because I know that on Friday the laundry will be washed and folded. I can have a clear conscience that is not weighed down by the tasks for tomorrow.

If you feel stressed and can't seem to get it all done -go grab a piece of paper and get writing - then implement what you wrote down and live well! There is much more than housework to be done in life - so get it done so you can play a little!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/