WELCOME TO "A CLEAN HEART BLOG"!
If you're here for the first time, please take a moment to read A CLEAN HEART Blog's Purpose!
May 25, 2006 - A CLEAN HEART Blog's Purpose
Welcome to A CLEAN HEART Blog! If…
...you're struggling to get order in your life...
...you feel as though you're drowning in a sea of clutter...
...you need some ideas on how to maintain your home...
...you can't figure out why you continually get behind...
...homeschooling is getting you down...
...you need to know that you're not alone...
...then this blog is for YOU!
It's important for you to know that this is NOT like other "get your home in order" programs that you've seen (or maybe tried). The MOST important aspect of A CLEAN HEART is addressing our hearts FIRST. This is not about finally loving yourself, but instead, truly loving the Lord.This is not about having a perfectly clean home, but about having a heart that is right before the Lord.This is not about the goal itself, but equally about the journey in getting there. This is about life and our daily walk with the Lord. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
After trying MANY programs myself to get my home in order; I finally realized that there was a deeper problem to my chaos than what could be seen.It was deeper than the laundry pile, or mound of bills on the desk.I needed to get to the heart of my struggles… by addressing the struggles in my heart.After trying to gain control over my home (with the best of intentions) I realized that even though things may go okay for awhile, eventually everything would keep failing as long as I kept avoiding the real problem.The answer to all of my struggles was simply THE LORD NEEDED TO BE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING and that meant dealing with my heart first."Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Prov. 4:23 (NIV)
A CLEAN HEART will not tell you that you deserve a break or that you deserve some praise for everything that you do.The reason is simply: we have been called to, and have the privilege of, being wives and homeschool moms... along with everything that entails. A CLEAN HEART will encourage and uplift, never belittle or begrudge the God-given task we have as women, wives, and mothers. (Please note: I am a wife and homeschool mother, so to those of you who are single or not homeschool moms, please take the information given here and use what you can to bless you as well! I'm glad that you're here!)
A CLEAN HEART Blog will also offer FREE printable schedules, organizers, and many other helpful forms to help you get control of and maintain your home and homeschool. More importantly, your HEART will not be forgotten along the way by offering devotions and printable prayer pages as well.
I'm looking forward to what the Lord has in store for A CLEAN HEART, and hope that it will bless you as seek the Lord to guide you each day. May He bless your heart and home.
I get to be first to comment on a shiny new blog ;)
Thanks for all your efforts on the Clean Heart, Clean Home. I'm still slow and steady plodding through the first 52 days (okay, they are stretching into 52 weeks but hey!) and seeing the benefits.
I love your prayer for the children, it's so good to remember every day that they are "on loan" to us from God for us to enjoy but also for us to teach in His ways.
Oh goody!! I was trying to do this challenge on my own, but I just don't feel any accountability. Looking forward to July! Congratulations on the birth of your child--may God help you to savour every moment with J.M. (such a beautiful story!)
God Bless,
Shari
http://hamstercotton.blogspot.com/
Amy, you have done an outstanding job on the CHCHC. I had life interfere with a lot of my best-laid plans, but I am looking forward to regrouping and going at it again in July.
I have gotten to know you very recently on your dandelion seeds blog, Amy, and I really identify with you. I think you are right on in terms of the need to go deeper than just "how to's" when it comes to why I am a mess! I am so glad to have found you and look forward to haveing a clean heart AND a clean home!
Jen
Amy this is so exciting for me! I am so glad you are doing this again since I missed the first one. So thank you for putting all of the hard work into it I am so grateful!
As I read your purpose page, my heart began to melt a little around the edges. Could it be? Is there a new hope? Has God lead me to a place of true understanding, true encouragement and true promise? Or will my efforts go the way of "finally loving myself." Apparently, I don't love myself so much because, as you confessed, I too have succeeded...for a time. And then, with such subtlety and elusiveness, the trouble creeps back in, until one day I awaken to the disappointments and failures of my old-self, only to realize she never really went away but only hid behind an organized facade...for a time.
I go through seasons of feeling such belief, such hope and inspiration. I believe that God has pointed me in a new direction, and that He is faithfully guiding me and increasing my wisdom and understanding. I believe that I am ushering in a new era and walking closer to my vision of an orderly, peaceful and controlled life. But each and every time, I find that I’ve only walked in a circle. I’m still stuck in the wilderness, and at the end of the cycle, I’m no further ahead than I was at the beginning.
I don’t mean to sound self-loathing or even self-pitying, but when I reflect on the past 8 ½ years of motherhood, I can honestly say that even after cycling in and out of these seasons of “new hope and growth” I am no further ahead. Certainly I understand more about child rearing. And 8 ½ years ago, I wasn’t a homeschooling parent. But my house is no more organized, our finances are no more in order (in fact, we’re probably further in debt now than we were then), and I am not bearing any more fruit of the Spirit now than I did then.
Every time I find myself back to where I started, it brings about a small crisis of faith. I begin to ask, “What am I doing wrong?” “What am I missing?” “Why isn’t God leading me to the fruition of my hope?” “His word says that wisdom will be granted to all who ask. I have been asking (no, begging) for wisdom for so many years, but it keeps eluding me.”
So this morning (funny, isn’t it? 4th of July – celebration of freedom), I’m doing as Paul advised and forgetting the things behind me, looking ahead and striving for the goal. I am intrigued by your message, and a glimmer of hope is peaking up again (although I am terrified to even acknowledge it). Very slowly, and with so much hesitation, I am beginning to roll up my sleeves once again, turn to God and bow my head as I trust again in His guidance.
Hope to see you along the path, Amy. Thanks for your efforts.
You've brought tears to my eyes and an ache to my heart, as your words are all too familiar. I know what you're going through, for I have been there... and still am on any given day. The struggle to "be something more" had been there for so long... within my reach, yet never attainable. Looking back, I see now that my trails were with a greater purpose that, quite honestly, I still don't understand... but I know that it exists because I read your heart on this blog... I saw myself... and can assure you that you are not alone. I wish I had had someone to tell me that. I wish I had had someone to remind me, encourage me... and go through it with me.
You are lifted this moment in prayer by me, dear sister in Christ... and my prayers for everyone struggling are reaching heaven tonight. I don't know what the Lord's plans are for you (and won't pretend to), but He has promised that He has great plans for you... and that they are of a future. Hold on to His promises and cling to the Almighty Father. There is much to learn... be faithful to Him and He will give you strength AND sustain you through this.
I pray that this site, along with the challenge, will encourage and uplift your heart. You can do it... and when the time comes (as I've found that it does) that your home is in disarray again... you will have a heart that can respond to it... and others will see it... your children will see it... and the Father Himself will be proud, for His relationship with you is more important than the laundry. Keep working on the balance... by leaning on Him.
Please keep in touch and let us know how it's going. Check out the forum as well for daily encouragement from others. You can do this... but only with the Lord!
thank you so much for for your perserverance in encouraging us. you are a blessing and often the LORD uses you to lift us up at the right moment. with respect. Jeannie
i was so glad to find your spot!! I wanted to sign up as a registered user, but I didn't understand the weblog address.
I've been homeschooling for 22 years
Even the title is convicting....I have been sharing this with my girlfriends already. Here's a victory - in 10 minutes, I filled up a box of unused kitchen items and put it on freecycle! It was that easy - feels good to be more responsible with the blessings God has given me.
