Rebecca Stuhlmiller::Redesign Your Homemaking

"Do you ever feel like the cleaning never stops?"
"Do you fall in bed exhausted, but wonder what you accomplished?"
After remarrying and becoming the matriarch of a family of nine, Rebecca Stuhlmiller was at a loss. God showed up and revealed a new design for homemaking so she could love her family and home better: she became more motivated by the why we do it. After all, having a clean house just for the sake of it doesn't last (if our toddlers, the Lego Kings and Queens, have anything to say about it). So what can we do to reorient out thinking and "create room to love God and love people?"

Click HERE for the recording of Rebecca's talk.

Enjoy!

 Step 1: Find Your Focal Point

• Homemaking is about loving God and loving people.
• God gave us this life to love and the people in it. Get to know Him, spend time with Him, and love Him back. He's the reason for all of it and through our roles as mothers/wives taking care of our homes, we are doing the eternal work of loving God, our families, and our neighbors.

Step 2: Empty the Room

• Empty out...paralyzing perfectionism. Forget "If I could just get done ______." You're never done. It's a process.
• Empty out...the Declaration of Independence. We can't do it alone. We need help. But shame, guilt, and sin keep us from asking.
• Empty out...one size fits all. Trying to fit in causes resentment and leaves us worn out. God created us each unique. Ask "what kind of home does God want to help me create?"

Step 3: Bring in the Big Pieces

• 1) Daily Quick List
• Break down the usual zones (bedroom, clothes, office, kitchen, general household) and list attainable daily tasks for each zone. 
• Tip: Have the kids help. They can pick up as many things as they are old or give them a chore for the whole month rather than switching it up weekly. By helping you, they learn a skill. Play to their strengths and personality (i.e. do they like to work alone? Or with a buddy?)

• 2) Color-Coded Calendar
• At a glance, know the capacity of your week. Ex.: blue: show up/no prep; red: prep and/or responsibilities; orange: birthdays/anniversaries, etc. Fill it as full as you want it. 

•  3) Think about deeper cleaning of areas like the kitchen, clothes, office, and house. After the daily list, maybe go a bit further. Make shopping lists, clean the laundry room, shop for gifts for upcoming birthdays. 
• As you have time and energy, and are in the mood, Step 4: Add the Accessories. Deep clean, decorate, plan a capsule wardrobe, clean computer files, and declutter. Use your passion for cooking/baking/crafts/gift-giving/hospitality to love and serve your neighbor. However, simplify if it's not your thing. Develop if it's your passion. Feel free to decide and either let it go or dig in.

Further Discussion

• What activity, hobby, or ministry would you love to do if you had more time?
• What kind of calendar do you keep? How is it working for you?
• What are your favorite activities in the kitchen with your kids? 

Rebecca Stuhlmiller

www.rebeccastuhlmiller.com

rstuhlmiller@gmail.com