Things To Do

I cannot believe that May 2007 is over. It was a wonderful month. My boys are finished with school, my husband was able to attend a much needed retreat, and we are getting lots of big projects marked off our "to do" list. I've had several great runs too. My hip is finally feeling better and I'm very excited about that. I'll just maintain throughout the hot Texas summer and then start training for the White Rock event this Fall in Dallas. I've had two friends verbally commit to completing the half-marathon with me so it should be a fun weekend ahead.

As I was working some of the smaller projects off our "to do" list - cleaning the wood staircase - my youngest asked me "Who's coming over?" When I answered "No one" he look perplexed. Later, as I dusted the living room, he questioned me again. I told him again that no one was coming over. He asked "Then why are you cleaning up?" As I pondered this dialogue, I realized that our family has a habit of "cleaning up" only when friends are coming over. We do whatever we need to do to make ourselves look organized and tidy. It's not that we're slobs or anything, we just don't make ourselves a priority. We are willing to go the extra mile for others, but not for ourselves.

While that line of thinking isn't entirely a bad thing, it did make me a bit sad. Our family should be top priority. We should want to stay organized and ship-shape just for each other. And if that isn't enough, we should do it for our Savior, who we invite to dwell in our hearts and in our home. He's a God of order and beauty and since we are all made in His image, we really long for that too. Waste and caos are of the evil one - just one more way to keep us from God. And if order becomes routine, it gives us that much more time to do other stuff - fun stuff - stuff that is enjoyable and exciting.

So I've challenged my family to make clean our routine. We always have a guest invited and his name is Jesus Christ.