It is better to give than to receive

We had an assignment in our ladies group last week to pray about who God would like us to bless (in the group) and what we should do for that person.  It was beautiful to see the gifts of God poured out on Monday night.  Everything from flowers to hand-painting to notes and words of encouragement. 

I felt like Jesus wanted me to bless my friend with cleaning, windows actually.  When I told her she said that she hadn't washed her windows sinced she moved in; that was my confirmation that God was speaking to me!  So yesterday I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.  Now this woman does not just have a few windows - she has MANY windows.  She has windows in her kitchen cupboards, windows in two sets of double doors, and many, many more! 

Surpringly, I found joy and life in offering this service to her.  I actually went home thinking about what a fun day I had.  Fun?  Washing windows?  I know, crazy, but when we do it for Jesus, He somehow turns it into fun.  It was so cool to be in step with what he wanted me to do and be a part of blessing someone with His love.  And what a sense of accomplishment it is to see the finished product, clean and clear.  

I didn't receive anything the night we exchanged blessings and gifts, but I did receive God's joy and life as I gave of myself on His behalf.  It really is better to give than to receive.

PS - Have you ever tried doing something like this?  It's a great way to stretch your faith and think beyond yourself.  I encourage you to pray and see who Jesus has for you to bless this week...and then email me and tell me what you did.  Be a blessing; you will be blessed!

Time to Get Cleaning

So with the bouts of chicken pox, stomach flu, rubella, and now Mike with the stomach flu, things have been far from routine around here.  It's difficult once we settle into an unscheduled and unmovitated place to get back into the swing of things, don't you find?  I sure do. 

Despite knowing and wanting to get this house cleaned up, I mostly sit around the clutter and dirt and piled up dishes and cookies on the floor, yes, cookies on the floor, and am paralyzed at where to begin.  I decided to start with the kids room.  An hour later and a lot of battling to keep the kids focused, the two rooms are cleaned and dusted. 

I decided to settle on the computer for my fifteen minute break, which I am sure is already 25.  But then, I look around again at the papers on the floor, laundry yet to be put away, toys strewn about and lunch dishes still on the table and get stuck.  Where on earth will I go next?  The place seems like it needs to be endlessly cleaned. 

So what better way to get motivated than to blog about it?  If  I tell you, my friends, and the World Wide Web, that I am going to spend the next hour cleaning, maybe then I can finally get some things done.  I subscribe to Fly Lady Email and she has sent me some great ideas along the way.  One of which is to use a timer.  Caleb hates it but we definitely get things done quicker when we're in a race against time.

She says to set the timer for 15 minutes and start in the kitchen, then when the timer goes off, drop what you're doing and start another room.  Keep going until you've finished all your rooms take a 15 minute break every hour.  So, as my son is longing for the computer, I have decided that I will follow her advice and get cleaning. 

You can check in with me in an hour!  Maybe it's time you get cleaning too.  If you do, post what you get done in an hour!