The Also Principle

Let's talk about my home for a second. It is my job to make my home a sanctuary. A peaceful place. An environment where my husband feels respected. A home where my children thrive. Where the neighborhood kids love to hang out. Where friends and family feel comfortable and at home. A clean home. Where grace is extended and God's love is apparent. 

But here's the million dollar question...HOW do I create this kind of sanctuary on top of working, trying to be a good wife and mother, cooking, cleaning, maintaining friendships, and most importantly, spending quiet time with the Lord? Maybe I should just stop sleeping. :| Or better yet, maybe I should hire myself a wife!

Some days I wish I could balance it all just like good ol' Claire Huxtable did. 

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Such a super woman, that Claire was. Loving wife, doting mother, professional, and impeccably dressed. And her home...always so clean. She made pretty meals. The kids' friends were always over hanging out. And once the kids were grown, she and Cliff couldn't get rid of them. Claire was pretty close to perfection. I mean look at her...all happy and dancing...seriously, Claire?

Actually, forget Claire...how about the Proverbs 31 woman?

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This is it right here people...the perfect wife, mother, homemaker, and woman after God's heart. Biblical womanhood defined thanks to the Proverbs 31 woman. 

side note: I came to know Jesus in March 2004. Shortly after I was saved, I visited a friend in Houston and we all decided to get tattoos. I wanted my tattoo to be meaningful....so I decided to go with a cross...or maybe a scripture. Except as a new believer, I didn't know many scriptures...with the exception of Proverbs 31. So guess what I decided to get? A cross on my lower back with...WAIT FOR IT...Proverbs 31 centered in the cross! I mean seriously...WHO gets a cross tattooed with PROVERBS 31 directly above their butt crack ? ONLY me. Geez.

Anyway, back to my point. Although many of us (including me) aspire to be like Claire or the Proverbs 31 woman, meeting this standard on a regular basis is nearly impossible. So I'd resolved that I just needed to focus on getting through each day in one piece...and things would fall into place eventually. 

Remember that book that's been sitting on my coffee table for months now...the book I was supposed to finish by the end of summer...yeah, well it continued to sit on my coffee table...collecting dust. Until recently. A few of the wives in our marriage life group decided to tackle the book together and discuss our learnings each week.

Ah, accountability...it was just the push I needed to dust the book off, crack it open, and dive in. 

We've only gotten through chapter 3, but the book, The Home Experience, has really helped me look at homemaking differently. Rather than beat myself up for not balancing everything perfectly, keeping a spotless house, and keeping the atmosphere all light, fluffy, and loving, why not adopt an Also mindset:

Clear off the desk - and dust it. Also.
Take a shower - and spray a little shower cleaner. Also.
Wash the dishes - and sweep the floor. Also.
Set the table - and light a candle. Also.
Take off my clothes - and hang them up. Also.

You see...the Also Principle is basically defined by a willing attitude to do a little more than is asked of you. An attitude that honors the Lord. When the Also Principle is woven into our character and we are obedient to God's Word, we will experience God's blessings known as the "inheritance of Abraham".

Whether single or married, we women wear many hats. Finding a good balance is a process. And the process starts with consistently seeking the Lord for peace and direction. And asking Him for a little extra energy that even exercise and an energy drink won't give you. 

I'm trying HARD to relax (trying being the operative word). And I've stopped trying to be something I'm not....afterall, Claire Huxtable was a fictional character. Duh. Instead, I'm working on adding a little also to my daily routine. We'll see how it goes.