New Year, New Blog

As I reflected on the past year and prayed about this new year, one word came into sharp focus: home. About two years into this stay-at-home mom gig, and I'm finally starting to understand that, for now, this is my job, my calling, my passion, my God-given responsibility. The Lord has entrusted me with the care and keeping of this home.
"This home," by the way is more than just the physical house in which we live. Yes, cleaning and general house maintenance represent a part of the proverbial pie. Speaking of pie, nourishing the five (soon, six) bodies who roam this house destroying my cleaning efforts comes into play, as well. I also have a responsibility to keep those bodies healthy in everything from sleep schedules to sick care (or, preventative care) to exercise. But, most importantly, God has reminded me--well, more like shouted at me--that His Word must become a central focus of our home and that He must serve as the Captain of this ship.
Yikes. Reading over all of that sounds quite daunting, especially when I consider the minutia involved in making those changes to our home that will allow us to function more as God has required. For example, I know some serious changes are in store for our diets, as we have fallen into the "quick and easy" traps that have so easily ensnared nearly every house in the country. So, this year, we have decided to eat more raw, natural foods, and we are even going to attempt a gluten-free menu for the sake of both our physical (read: gut) heath and our mental health (since GF diets have proven to help the sensory processing issues that our son displays). This means a lot more work for mama, that's for sure! I need to budget, meal-plan, and shop differently than I ever have before, and just thinking about the task at hand makes me want to give up...almost...
You see, as I consider all the changes--er, improvements--we have committed to make, God whispers in my ear Galatians 6:9, where He promises, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (ESV). From the big things like changing our diet, to the small things like reading a verse of Psalm 119 per day, I can and will persevere because God has promised me that these changes will make our lives better in this little home of ours. Will all the changes be enjoyable? No. Will all the changes be easy? No. Will we fail on probably a daily basis? Uh, yes (I already have today, and it's January 2nd). But, that is the beautiful thing about serving a gracious God. He knows my heart and my intentions, so as long as I do not give up, He will not give up on me.
My prayer with this blog is multifaceted. First, I hope that it keeps me accountable and motivated to do what God has called me to do as a home-maker. Second, I hope that it provides for me that outlet I need to either weep when things get tough, or to praise when things go well. Third, I hope this can serve as an inspiration to all of you to never give up on God's calling for your lives--be it home-making, a corporate job, a missionary, or an elusive, cave-dwelling mountain man. Seek the Lord's heart, and your life will become grow abundantly more than you could ever imagine. Let's do this, folks! Here's to a blessed and inspired 2014.