The Daily Grind

Life at our house has always been a bit chaotic, I am a bit of a "free spirit" and have always shied away from the concept of scheduling.  As much as I hate to admit it, it is very true that a larger than normal family does require some sort of a schedule, however loosely defined, in order to survive. But I had never been able to acheive a real schedule until we began keeping Shabbat.

When Husband became convinced that we needed to keep Shabbat, I wondered how we could waste an entire day?  We already didn't get anything done!  But as we went forward in obedience, I quickly learned that in order to "survive Shabbat" I needed a plan; a *gasp* schedule!  Otherwise, we wouldn't eat one day out of seven.

Here is my outlined, skeleton of a schedule.  It is as flexible as we are.  I don't fret when it is not followed exactly, this schedule gives us a vision, a goal to move toward and reminds me of Proverbs 29:18 .  

 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 

  

~Every Week Day~

Breakfast

pets fed
Bible 
tidy bedrooms 

21 son and 16 son to work

school
laundry
wash dishes
sweep floors 
vacuum 

~First Day~ 

~sunday focus: bedrooms~
strip beds 
wash all linens 
air out matresses 
clean under beds 
dust, de-cobweb 
wash windows 
miniblinds 
straighten dresser drawers 
straighten closets 
vacuum 
set out bowls of vinegar to freshen air 

~Second Day~

~monday focus: kitchen~
take everything off counter and scrub 
wash window 
clean oven, if needed 
dust & de-cobweb 
straighten cabinets 
clean out one drawer 
clean out fridge 
scrub floor 

~Third Day~

~tuesday focus: bathrooms~
spray sink & tub w/ vinegar 
spray tub 
pour vinegar in toilet 
wipe down sink & faucet 
scrub tub & faucet, (this may take something like Bar Keeper's Friend) 
scrub inside of toilet 
rinse sink & tub 
wipe down top, sides & around base of toilet 
spray mirror 
sweep floor, check toilet paper & Tissue 
empty trash 
wipe down mirror 
mop floor 
spray Lysol, or set out bowls of vinegar

~Fourth Day~

~wednesday focus:  Shabbat menu plan~
take inventory of pantry 
make guest list 
plan menu 
clean out fridge 
go to bank, (l've learned to shop with only cash) 

~Fifth Day~

~thursday focus:  shopping day~

Aldi

Sam's

Walmart

specialty shops

~Sixth Day~

~friday focus: Sabbath Preparation~
 make sure everything is clean, it should be already. 
all windows & mirrors 
begin Challah 
prepare food for Shabbat meals

fuel up car

last minute shopping 
haircuts, if needed 
baths all around 
set table 
light candles

welcome guests 
enjoy Shabbat! 

~Shabbat~
 sleep late 
breakfast 
extended Bible study with family and/or guests 
lunch 
enjoy the day that the Father made! 
Havdalah

~Seventh Day Evening~

~saturday night focus: the Cycle begins again~

clean up from Shabbat

wash dishes

straighten house

vacuum

Keeping Shabbat has brought order to our lives and as I have discovered, order can be a good thing.  Our entire week now revolves around the Day of Rest.  It's funny how our week now has purpose and I no longer feel as if we are treading water.   In giving up an entire day in obedience to Him,  goals that were once wistfully glaced at from a distance are now being reached.  The Father continues to lovingly teach me in the seemingly mundane tasks I used to dislike and He gently leads me ever closer to Him in the still, small voice of His path for me.