“So! What did you do today?” I know to expect this greeting from my sweet husband every day when he arrives home. I know Jim isn’t asking this question in order to hold me accountable, but I’m so tuned in on my own accountability that I instinctively respond, “I don’t know exactly what I did, but I do know one thing — I never sat down all day long!”
This awareness about how wisely and effectively I spend my time has not always been the case for me, but that was before I learned a valuable lesson from Proverbs 31-a lesson about time, life, and home management:
The woman who is beautiful in God’s eyes, “watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27)
The wisdom from this verse vividly showed me what I should and should not do. It continues to challenge me over and over. Now that I’ve become so established in a routine that does not include idleness, this way of life has become second nature to me.
There is something spiritual about the way a clean home can lead to a productive life. However, when life is abundant you will have a home that’s actually lived in. Messes are going to happen along the way. That’s where good routines come in; specifically, nighttime cleaning routines.
If you still have little ones at home, it can be a challenge to clean while they are awake. By the time they are tucked in, the last thing you want to do is work on the house. The temptation to skip maintenance items to scroll on your phone or go to sleep can be overwhelming.
If, however, you can muster up a little bit of energy to go through the three following routines, you’ll have a much cleaner home and a more productive morning.
Three Evening Routines for a Productive Home Management
- Take a few minutes to prepare for the next morning’s main chore. Some of you may not have laundry to do each day, but if you do, put the dirty clothes and detergent into the washing machine. The next morning, hit start and let the machine do the work. If tomorrow is the day you will be tackling the bathrooms, pull out the supplies the night before. You’ve already got a head start and you’re much more likely to do the chore early just to be able to put the supplies away. Soak the dishes in preparation for loading the dishwasher or washing the dishes the next day. This simple step alleviates a lot of manual labor having to be put into getting those dishes clean and it takes mere minutes.
- Spend five minutes doing a quick clean up every night. Go through the main living areas and put things back in their proper places. Throw away any trash you find. Wipe up spills or spots on the floor. Fold the blankets and fluff the pillows. Put away clean dishes, and make sure the dishwasher is either running or empty for tomorrow.
- Make a to-do list for tomorrow’s tasks. Starting the day with a brief to-do list will help you remember and accomplish your household goals. The written list allows you to rest at night without being worried that you’re going to forget something. After the list is made, consider packing lunches, picking out your clothes, laying out school supplies, or putting your bags in the car. If that is too much, even the small step of making sure lunch boxes and bags are open and ready to be filled can be very helpful. These steps give a great head start for the next day and give you a much more peaceful and relaxed morning.
RESPOND
Lord, make us masters of ourselves that we may be the servants of others. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Beautiful in God’s Eyes: Exploring the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 31, Bible teacher Elizabeth George reveals how you can become a woman of true beauty.
REFLECT
“She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.” Proverbs 31:17
REMEMBER
All that stands between your goal
And the deeds you hope to do
And the dreams which stir your soul—Is you!
