Hope in Motion

by Sandra Gilmore

Are you busy making New Year’s resolutions? Let me guess: one of them has to do with getting organized. Besides losing weight, getting organized is a top goal early in a new year. Americans are fascinated with clutter and organizing. Have you noticed all the shows dedicated to this one topic? Have you noticed all the gadgets and even rising careers associated with household and office organization? The Proverbs 31 Woman had it covered long before plastic was even mentioned! Proverbs 31:27 says, “She watches how things go in her house” (The Complete Jewish Bible translation). Do you know how things go in your house? Or even how they come? Research through the years finds a deep connection between clutter and hopelessness. Let’s start this new year off right!

Through the years of being a mom with a career outside the home, then years of being a stay-at-home mom, I collected and developed a list that helped keep me organized and focused. Listed here are just a few. Pick one that resonates with you. Put it into motion soon. Where confusion and clutter once grew, you’ll see hope take root!

*Make several sets of keys. Place them strategically at home, at work, or at the neighbors if need be.

*Keep multiple hair dryers in the house. The Bible says a woman’s hair is her glory. It is terrible to have the hair dryer die when you are not quite “glorified!”

*Make copies of important papers, including digital copies. Secure a safe box at your financial institution. Put anything you deem important in your box with an inventory list of its contents. Keep an extra inventory list at home too.

*Keep a calendar with big boxes for each day visually handy to record family events. You could quickly jot down milestones, whether it’s the last time you had your oil changed or your baby’s first sentence. When you have time, you can easily scrapbook or journal these milestones. Encourage your children to log items. It will be even more special in years to come to see their own handwriting.

*When possible, put the kids to bed in their clothes. Summer short sets or winter stockings and turtlenecks are often as soft and flexible as pajamas. Come morning, you and your children will be glad for the extra winks!

*Keep a 3x5 card with important information secured to the visor of your car. Cell phones lose their charge or hit dead zones. A simple card can save the day.

*When you are working on an important document or want to archive important information, email it to yourself. If your computer is inaccessible or you lose a flash drive, you can usually access accounts in libraries or other public places. Your information is now available to you 24/7, anywhere in the world.

*Pray Proverbs 8:12, “I wisdom dwell with prudence and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” When we are in a tight spot, Holy Spirit will send wisdom when we ask. Wisdom can reveal “witty inventions,” meaning new ways of doing things, effective time management methods or ways to multiply effectiveness.

*Keep prayer a priority. Redeem time to spend with the Father. He loves you. He created you. He is especially proud of you. Spend time with Him as your source of strength and growth. His unconditional love will sustain hope for you like nothing else!

You’ve probably got some of your own tips for watching how things go in your house. Share those in a conversation, on a blog, or even a post. Pass on hope!