Keeping the Home by Lori Seaborg

Saturday, February 18, 2006

What is Good

There is something about decluttering that frees one up to do other things. For me, decluttering my house with you for 3 weeks freed me up to get established on regular routines, such as laundry routines and morning routines. Decluttering also inspired me to whip our homeschooling schedule back into shape. I've tweaked the schedule and discovered a free online curriculum, Ambleside Online, that seems so very much my style that I think it was a gift from God for me to discover.

I'll tell you why I've had these sudden cleaning and rescheduling urges, and why you haven't been seeing me blog as much ........

Last fall, after Hurricane Katrina came, I was overwhelmed with a desire to help others. I think it is the missionary kid in me, but I cannot ignore a need such as that, so, with the help of others, our family was able to help a lot of people in Mississippi who needed a "first responder" with first aid, clothing, toiletries, snacks, Bibles, and most of all, a listening ear.

It is good to help others.

Also in the fall, I was selected to be a part of a team of writers and speakers for an online women's conference. It was an honor to be chosen as one of the twelve out of almost fifty applicants (I still cannot fathom why!), and I had grand dreams of getting my books written and speaking with the other women as we traveled across America.

It is good to work with others.

Then, in December and January, things just got plain old rough around here. "Things" hadn't been smooth anyway -we were affected by the expensive hurricanes, too - but we held onto hope all throughout the fall. By January, the hope was all but faded and it became a time of sheer survival. I really mean that - we were so broken and broke that we could, out of necessity, only think of ourselves and how to take care of this little family that God had given us.

And that's when I remembered something I had learned long ago when I was once overwhelmed: Even though it is good to help others, and it is good to work with others,

It is good to take care of myself and my family first.

Our recent hard times have made me realize, over and over again, what blessings I have been given in this little family and this house. I am reminded that God has given me a beautiful opportunity in caring for my husband, our four children, and our home. It is my pleasure to serve God by taking care of this family first. When I have done all I should for them, I know He will help me expand my ministry to include others.

But for now, I have stopped all outside obligations and may continue to blog inconsistently. When you don't hear from me, you can know that I am thinking about you, but I'm busy getting all of my ducks in the right row again.

by Lori Seaborg