Emilie Barnes shares some fantastic ideas from a biblical perspective. Between her and Don Aslett, my home has come a long way! No! It’s not even NEAR perfection, but I probably wouldn’t like it that way, anyway.  But, because of Emilie, I can locate just about anything quickly, including the multiple times I’ve had to produce appliance warranties in a couple of minutes or SS#’s, vehicle titles and birth certificates. When we moved, I used her methods and it went SO SWIFT.

Mrs. Barnes has helped and encouraged me over the years. The one thing I am reminded of is her suggestion to take a task and just work 15 minutes each day on it. This might be cleaning out a pantry, attic, or bedroom. After 4 days, you’ve worked an hour! In bite-size pieces, it’s easier to get to and easier to work with. How much can you get done in 15 minutes? What if you spent 15 minutes working in your kitchen, then moved to your bedroom for another 15, then some deep cleaning in your desk for another 15, etc. Is that doable?

Another thing that has helped me greatly, is her idea of prioritizing. I love to make lists! I’ve always been a list-maker. But to accomplish all my lofty ideas has not come so easily, until I read Mrs. Barnes’ books. She suggests the list-making, but then she suggests prioritizing the list as such:

Priority #1 – God: According to Matthew 6:33, our first priority is to seek and know God. We are better able to decide what to read, what to view, how to spend our money and time when this is done first.

Priority #2 – Family: She reminds us in Proverbs about the woman who “looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

Priority #3 – Church-related Activities: When the first two are right, it makes this priority easier to handle.

Priority #4 – All other areas: This includes job, athletics, exercise, classes, clubs, etc.

Now…back to the list part. After making the list and considering the above priorities, take into consideration what is really necessary for today, also. She suggests the following labels:

• Yes: I will do this.
• Maybe: I will do this if there is time.
• No: I will not attempt this today.

Don Aslett has made me laugh at myself and all my stuff. Don taught me when and how to get rid of stuff while Emilie taught me how to deal with what I have left. Don taught me the proper way to clean a toilet, and which cleaners really do the job…laughing the whole way. Emilie told me to just give cleaning a try 15 minutes each day. Don taught me which carpets to put in front of my door while Emilie taught me to tackle each room one at a time. Don taught me how my time is valuable and shifting my things from here to there is a poor steward of that time. He also taught me how to mop my floors and vacuum for the greatest effect.

I have learned, the hard way, that the kids don’t need a ton of toys. They don’t need a ton of clothes. Consider going through and giving away a lot of their things. Maybe it would be a great time to incorporate them in this because of Christmas coming up, they could help another child who is less fortunate. Just a thought. I learned to actually throw away broken toys. I learned to throw away any and all broken pieces of chalk and crayons. Yes…I throw away crayons, even if they are new, as long as they are broken. We also don’t allow cutting of paper until a child is about 6. An aunt of ours has Lego’s. She only allows children to play with them ON A SHEET. That way, when they are done playing, the corners are picked up and everything goes back into the Lego box real swift-like.

My husband, also, taught me to be an armchair director, instructing and teaching the kids what to do so it can be delegated. He says, “the kids make the messes, anyway.”

I found that simple is easiest, too, when it comes to toys. Having toys separated, lined up, and delegated to covered bins is nice it just ain’t happen’n here. It’s not reality in the McLean household. It’s a whole lot easier to have one toy box (or in our case, a tub) and just throw everything in. The kids don’t need toys in their rooms. Their rooms are for dressing and sleeping in. Clothes are a big enough issue that we don’t need to clutter their room with toys; unless, of course, you don’t have another place for the kids to play with toys. Whatever you do, limit where the toys can go. No toys in the kitchen, for example: That makes the kitchen a dangerous place when carrying a boiling pot of water to drain. I digress. What toys don’t fit into the one bin, they are outta here. We are big Lego fans here. That is, before they got into witches, ghosts and Harry Potter. We do have a separate bin for just Lego’s.

My grandmother used to say, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” I think of this often. I think, “okay. If something doesn’t have a place, do I really need it? If I need it, where can I put it so that it’s not more clutter?” Another thing my grandmother taught me was that if you have few surfaces and keep them clear, it will give the appearance of tidy. I used to be totally embarrassed if unexpected company came! YIKES! I couldn’t think of anything worse! I do not have that fear anymore. Things may not be perfect, but we have come a long way, baby!

Teach your children. Have them work right along with you as you wash dishes, sit on the floor and sort toys, or vacuum. This is how they learn and you can direct. We do this with baking cookies, sorting laundry, and setting the table.

I found both above-mentioned authors at the library. Since then, I have kept an eye out for their books at thrift stores and have accumulated most of them. I’m sure you could also find these books by searching the Christian book half.com or elsewhere.