15 - A Heart That Creates Order from Chaos

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. – 1 Timothy 5:14


Time management seems to be an on-going battle that we struggle to find that perfect plan of action to attack it and overcome it.

In 1 Timothy 5:13, we have the account of the young widows of Timothy’s church were “idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t”.

Our actions may be the only Bible a lot of people ever read, and those actions can cause people to think and speak poorly of Christianity. Of course, when we are very busy, we have less time to be gossips and busybodies.

What does the word “guide” mean? To guide a house is to be the head of or to rule a family, to guide the home. The woman who manages her house is not the head of the home, her husband is if she is married, and God is if she is not. Instead, the woman is the householder or the home manager.

Every day we are called to manage what God has given us, what He has provided through our husbands’ efforts and our own.

YES, BUT HOW?

How does a woman who wants what God wants, a woman who wants to know order instead of chaos, a woman after God’s own heart, manage her home?

First, understand that home management is God’s best for us.

God isn’t asking us to like being a home manager or even to feel like managing our home.

He is simply calling us to do it.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. – Romans 12:2

Second, decide to take home management seriously.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. – Luke 16:10

How well you and I maintain our personal relationship with God, how devotedly we love our husbands and our children, and how effectively we manage the home indicates how well we would manage a ministry.

If we manage our homes effectively, we will have time to be involved in church ministry in some capacity. You may not be able to be involved in all the ministries, but you will be able to be involved in something at church. Order emerges out of chaos when we schedule what’s important.

Third, live as though you will be accountable for the condition of your home and the use of your time…because you will!

What does your spouse find when they enter the house? Calm or chaos? Peace or panic? Palace or pigpen? Evidence of preparation or procrastination?

Let’s reflect on a time when we entered a hotel room. What greets us? Order. Quiet. Cleanliness. You see the vacuum tracks on the carpet. The bed is made. The last sheet of toilet paper is folded to a point. No TV or stereo blares. The room is a sanctuary.

Let’s look at 12 Tips for Time Management

1. Plan in detail.
     Have a planner and write everything down in it. Try planning twice a day.

2. Deal with today.
     Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. – Matthew 6:34

3. Value each minute.
     Know how long it will take you to complete each task in your home. Then decide if the task is the best use of the time.

4. Keep moving.
     Keep moving and you can cross one more thing off your “to do” list. A body in motion tends stays in motion…a body at rest tends stays at rest.

5. Develop a routine.
     Cut down on indecision by doing the same thing at the same time each day…it will conserve and generate energy. Try to put as many tasks as possible into a routine.

6. Exercise and diet.
     Exercise increases metabolism, creates energy, causes you to sleep better, and contributes to a positive attitude.

7. Ask the “half the time” question.
     If you only had half the time to do the task, what shortcuts would you take? Take them.

8. Use a timer for everything.
     The timer will help you to allow less time and will be extremely motivating to try to beat the clock in your tasks.

9. Do the worst first.
     Doing the worst task first will keep that heavy cloud of dread from hanging over you all day. Once you have this worst task done, you will have a better attitude and more energy for the remaining tasks.

10. Read daily on time management.
     Just five minutes a day will help motivate you. Look for blogs, books, magazines, or simply read these steps every day.

11. Say no.
     Keep to your plan and say no to distractions created by yourself and others. Only move to plan B if God is moving you to it.

12. Begin the night before.
     Plan the next days meals, clothes, etc.
     Clean up the kitchen.
     Run the dishwasher.
     Tidy up the house.
     Prepare lunches and meals.
     Defrost meat.
     Sort the laundry.
     Put things you, your spouse, or children will need to take the next day by the door.

Before we leave the subject of order in the home, let’s take a look at the heart of the home…your heart!

What is your attitude toward your home and your housework?

Is your heart in tune with God?

Are you desiring what He desires for the management and guidance of your home?

Do you want to be the home manager God wants you to be?

Do you acknowledge that managing your home enhances the lives of those you live with…and that a well-organized home makes for far better service to the Lord and His people?

Ask God to help you move toward better management – and don’t worry: Slowly but surely counts.