{allow yourself grace} cleaning...

I'm not one of those women whose house is always clean, but I am one of those women who feels bad about myself because my house isn't always clean. 

I always hear other women talking about how they can't stand to go to bed without their house being spotless....well, for me it's more that I can't stand to clean my house before I go to bed. I am exhausted by the end of the day. After my children are in bed, the list of things I want to do is a very short one...and cleaning isn't on it. I wish I was one of those people who loved cleaning and found it relaxing, and I guess once upon a time I was. As a tired mom of four, I can't even fathom doing housework to relax right now. 

This is so hard for me to admit. In fact, I backspaced over the last couple sentences several times, but luckily God gave me the strength to rewrite them. Hopefully I'll make it all the way to clicking "publish." Deep down, I am shallow (ponder that one for a minute, huh? lol). The truth is, I want to be perceived as that kind of mom; the mom who happily frolics about my home in an apron and quietly and reverently serves without a peep. 

I'll just set the record straight right now, hoping someone finds it encouraging. I love vintage things, things from the 50's and such; and I want nothing more than to serve the Lord and my husband and kids by fulfilling the noble calling of wife and mother well! But I will never be a 50's housewife. I rarely get dressed before about 10am, and my house is definitely not perfect. It's not "Clean House" or "Hoarders" material by any means, but it's....lived in. My husband cooks on occasion because he does it well, and he helps with housework and changes diapers because...well...he's an amazing father and a gentleman to the core. 

Also let me remind everyone that most of those 50's housewives that so many women are idolizing right now were closet alcoholics because they cracked under the pressure of being perfect! Don't forget that there are usually martinis in those pictures too...not just curls, pearls, and aprons!

I am not called to be a perfect mother or wife, I am called to do it to God's glory...and by walking in His grace in the areas I fall short (even in my homemaking), I truly believe that brings Him glory!

Here's to making our hearts His home!

Tiff