So what is the point of being organized?!  For some people, it’s a hassle.  They would like to have things more organized but it’s just too hard. So, they live in disorder. For others, it’s the only way they can function.  If something is out of place, though, they begin to unravel and their emotional life can begin to be in disorder.

I personally believe there needs to be a happy compromise between these two extremes.  And I also believe there really is a point to being organized.

Each one of us has a job(s) to do while we are living on this earth.  We are either working in the work force or we are working in the home or both.  We may be wives, mothers, volunteers, etc.  And hopefully, each one of us is working for God: walking in the path that God has for us.

He has a plan for each one of us.  And we are to do the work that He has called us to do with the upmost care and diligence that we can.  Hence, the need to be organized.

If we aren’t organized, we just won’t be able to keep on top of what our boss wants, or what our husbands and children need, or the ability to do for others.  And we won’t be able to do what God has called us to do.  We all have a limited amount of time, energy and talent.  When we are more organized, we are able to fully use these.

~

Action Plan

• Take a look at your life and write down the areas that you know need more order.  Then, think about the ways you can make the changes you want.  As an example, if you haven’t been able to find the time to cook for your family, find that window of opportunity in your week when you can plan and shop for a few meals.  Once you have the ingredients, the next step is to find that 30-45 minutes in the day when you can cook.  You may have to stop other activities but having your family eat a healthy meal together is important.
  

 

• Someone else may be having the problem of being disorganized with finding the time they spend with their children.  If so, take a look at your calendar and find a window of time each day that will work for you.  If you and your children have too many activities to warrant time with you, then perhaps all of you are too busy.  Once you carve out the time, plan together what you can do.  Some children love to do sports with their parents while others like a quiet game or book.  Whatever the activity is, make sure you can follow through by having the items that you need close by:  sports equipment, tennis shoes, games or the books organized in a basket or shelf.  Whatever you choose, accept the fact that there will be sacrifices you will have to make.  You might have to cut your exercise or TV time but these few precious years with your children are worth it.
  

 

• And perhaps another person might have a hard time organizing their home.  I know how hard that can be when we are racing out the door in the morning and not coming back until late at night.  So this is when we must put together a plan.  Getting up just 15 minutes earlier in the morning might be what you need in order to get your bed made as well as some small chores.  Then at night, spend a few minutes setting out clothes, breakfast items, book bags, etc. so that the morning won’t be so rushed.  Another tip is to have a window of time once a week when you get the heavy cleaning done:  vacuum, dusting, mop floors, clean bathrooms, changing sheets.  When this is done on a regular basis, your home will stay much more organized and then each morning and evening you can do your “5-minute quick clean”.  Remember to have family members help you.
  

 

• Maybe you are the type of person who wants to volunteer.  But if you aren’t organized enough to make time in your day for researching volunteer opportunities, then you aren’t going to make the difference in your life or others that perhaps God is calling you to do. 

Yes, I believe there really is a point to being organized for then we are able to do the work that God has called us to do.

That’s why this blog is called, “Pathways to Organization” – there are many paths in each of our lives leading us in many different areas. It is up to us to make the most of what we find on those paths.

~

Manna from Heaven

Another area in our lives that need to be organized is our spiritual life.  If we don’t know where our Bible is or our devotional or our Bible study / lessons, how are we going to grow into the character and image of God?  And if we don’t read the Word, then how will we renew our minds?

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

~ 

Emotional Check-Up

If you are one of the people who becomes unglued when life becomes too disorganized, then perhaps you should get a massage.  A Cedars-Sinai study is part of a growing body of research that shows a link between many forms of touch – from massage to hand-holding – and improved emotional and physical health.  Treatments showed decreases in stress hormones and increases in white blood cells, indicating a boost in the immune system as well as higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding.  Based on the findings, the study believes that massage might be effective in treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.  Also, a study from the University of North Carolina found that sitting in close contact with a partner for ten minutes lowered blood pressure in women.  Other research has found that physical contact can trigger a boost in serotonin, a natural antidepressant. 

~ 

Healthy Fit-Fact

The American Dietetic Association and the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse can offer lists upon lists of compelling reasons to eat together as a family.  Here are some benefits you may or may not have considered:  Eating together creates a sense of community where adults have the opportunity to build stronger, communicative relationships with their children.  This, in turn, creates a family structure in which children are more likely to make healthier food choices and teenagers are less likely to engage in illegal substance abuse.  Further research has suggested that newlyweds who make time to eat together at home will institute such a practice more successfully with their future families.