Do You Feel Drained?

Isaiah 23: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 2:14-18 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ, that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the service and sacrifice coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with all of me.

Oh the past few months have become a Renaissance for me in many attitudes.

One of my greatest crafts, whenever we were locked in on a snowy day, was my Betty Crocker ambition.

Oh I’d start with the pancakes and bacon in the morning. Next, I’d make a big pot of chili or vegetable soup, along with grilled cheese sandwiches. Then I’d finish off with brownies or a chocolate cake.

Now that the kids are no longer at home, there still are a lot of visits. Therefore, quarantine was becoming my 10-week snowy day routine. I needed to keep myself busy, so cooking became one of my “Go To’s!”

The boys would stop in….and I’d cook. The two farmers that often help Tom would be in and out….and I’d cook. My friend and her daughter were always here for dinner every Thursday…..and I’d cook.

This past Christmas, I was ridiculous with baking; that scenario will never reoccur.

We both need to lose weight and eat healthy. At times, there were many meals that I froze half, in order to serve at another time.

Finally, one eve my farmer exclaimed, “Betty Crocker has got to go! We’ll both gain 100 pounds!” LOLOL!!

Therefore, I had to use my head, slow down a bit and plan better.

Even though I had my computer work to keep me busy, I needed some “fillin,” besides the baking, housework, and art activities.

Many people used this time to paint and remodel their homes. BINGO!! IT WAS TIME! It was time to clean all of the junk out of this house!

The following is the household Renaissance:
*I spent two days cleaning out the storage room.
*The attic was devoured, and all trash removed.
*Closets cleaned upstairs, and summer clothes moved over.
THUS: the entire upstairs was in great shape.
*My office was cleaned out, pitched, and reorganized.
*My dining room table is a major creative space. One end is my computer/author writing space. The other end is my drawing colored pencil area, where my portable DVD Player entertains me. That entire area was reorganized.
*The rest of the dining room..books, magazines etc., were pitched and organized.
*There was a mini-monster closet in this old farm-house that had not been touched in ages. IT WAS TIME! It was decimated, devoured, shelves removed, and will eventually be taken out and dry walled over. It is no longer available for critters. AMEN!!
*The laundry room was cleaned, pitched and reorganized.
*Kitchen cabinets are being worked on bit by bit. AS SOON AS WE GET SUN AND WARM WEATHER: The porch will be washed down, plants out, and reorganized.
*I did a very small section of the garage… but will get help with that, as soon as we get some sunshine.
*The basement will be last.
..AND MAYBE I’LL PAINT MY UPSTAIRS BEDROOM?

Teaching fulltime, running a household, and running boys to practice/games etc. was an overwhelming presence in my life for years.
CLEANING….was the last thing that concerned me. My cleaning lady came every two weeks.

Now since quarantine, my cleaning lady has not yet retuned, but to no avail. If you would have told me that I would Ever Enjoy Cleaning….THINK
AGAIN! However….God has a great sense of humor. I can’t tell you how great it feels to get this house in perfect order, all at once.
THE BIG REVELATION: Farmer looks at me and exclaims, “It’s a good thing that batty Crocker slowed down….BUT I LOVE MRS. CLEAN!”

It feels so good to bake and create. However, it felt even better to not be weighed down with all of the clutter in this household.

CLUTTER….CLUTTER….I need to clean up some things in my own Spirit, and become a better Mother…and wife…..and friend. It’s a never ending cycle….this cleaning up, purification, trying to become a better person.

In the longrun…..HE LOVES US JUST THE WAY WE ARE. Salvation and righteous aren’t about earning our way…IT’S ABOUT ONE SMALL STEP. BELIEVING!

HEAVENLY FATHER: Praise you for sending your Son Jesus, to die for our sins, and be washed as white as snow by His blood.

Sue Cutler
Fearless Faith