Schedules, Homemaking Binder, Expectations and Flexibility

Have you ever had an experience where you know God was working with you to help you change in a certain area...and then what He shows you, He then confirms his message through other ways?

Well that's happened to me recently.

If you've been a reader for awhile, you'll know that me and schedules don't mix. I hate them. And I mentioned before that I hate "home management binders." And I would say that's how I've always been. But God showed me that isn't the case.

Before I had kids and before I was married, I was a working woman. I got up everyday at the same time and did everything in the same order. I worked at an insurance company and I had a schedule and routine. At such and such time I would do this and that, etc. I loved it.

So what happened?

Well, I'll tell ya. One of my biggest weaknesses is dealing with interruptions. If truth be told, I downright stink at it. Yes I got interrupted a lot at work. In fact, when I would go in on a Saturday when no one was there, I got a WEEK'S worth of work done in only 3 hours.

Once I became a mom, I still had somewhat of a routine. But once baby number 2 came along that all went out the window. I can't plan XYZ for 10 o'clock because I don't know if I'll be dealing with a grumpy baby at that time. Yeah I could clean this at 12pm but will it still be clean by 5? Stuff like that. Scheduling at work, and even at home when you are hubby and child free, is sooooo different than scheduling with a family.

So yes...I THRIVE on schedules, but I'm horrible when it comes to having that schedule interrupted.

So after that revelation I got another one. My expectations are too high. Can you believe I am crazy enough to EXPECT my 7 year old to go to the store with me and NOT ask for something? uh huh... naivety at its best. Or how about how I expect my 2 year old to sit quietly in the cart while I shop? Uh huh...wishful thinking right? But God showed me that I'm always setting myself up for failure with stuff like this. I expect that my kids will sleep in so I'll get some quiet time in the morning because they went to bed late. Yeah...okay...and then when they do get up early I get so mad!

So yesterday I read an article by Michelle Duggar called "Michelle Duggar on Having 19 Kids and Zero Expectations."

That was a confirmation of what God has been showing me. It's a really short article so read it if you get a second. But it talks about expectations when it comes to the house, to the kids, and everything else. This morning I woke up and decided that it's not a big deal if the kids wake up and interrupt my morning time with God (haha, my youngest JUST woke up as I typed that!).

He's showing me I just need to let go. Unexpected plans? Be adventurous and just go with it. I started getting up in the morning at 4:30 (instead of 5:15 like normal) so I can fold the laundry and put it away. Really? I'm already sleep deprived, so by all means lets fold the clothes! Little things like that. When changes happen, when plans fail, be flexible! Which leads me to another confirmation.

Over on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, they talked about flexibility! Another great article that I recommend.

God has also been using a couple other resources that have truly been a blessing in my life. I've already told you about them HERE, but I'm going to tell you again hehe.

One is the "Ten Days of Intentional Parenting" series by Finding Joy. This has helped me to really be passionate about being a parent, which has also helped me deal with interruptions from my boys better.

And the other one is the Ebook - "31 Days to a Clean Home - Having a Martha House the Mary Way." If you struggle with cleaning, or more with the WHY behind the cleaning, I recommend this book.

God's message to me recently is just Chill Out! I take life too seriously at times. I over complicate everything and I think too hard on things that aren't worth my time. God has been pruning away things that aren't important out of my life and teaching me to just enjoy life.

Over the weekend I got this extreme passion and excitement to not only make a home management binder but to try to use a schedule again. I really believe that God put that on my heart and I can't wait to do it. That's my task for today. Between learning how to be flexible, lowering expectations, and going more with the flow, I think I can actually succeed this time around. I have learned (not sure why I didn't think this way before!) that my schedule is there to help me, not to tell me what to do. Changes and interruptions are okay...the schedule is more like a default. If nothing else is going on, then this is what I'll do normally. I don't have to follow it exactly...again, it's only there to help me.

Do any of you use a home management binder? (Please share any websites/blogs you know of that help build one!)

Do any of you battle with high expectations and not being flexible?

Do YOU need to chill out?

Linked to: Lowercase Letters, What Joy is Mine, These Five of Mine Plus Two, A Mama's Story