Monday, April 23, 2007

Reasons We Need Orderly, Clean Houses

I realize that most people do not have these elegant rooms, but I chose the pictures because they depict orderly and clean rooms. It is always good to hold before us a picture to aspire to, especially in this day and age when people do not often have the privilege of seeing the homes of other people.
















Photo from www.magnoliahall.com

We need to clean up and beautify our homes to
1. Prevent injuries: Falling over toys, things sticking out on kitchen surfaces, or other objects are the most prominent causes of injuries.

2. Maintain health: Keeping kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms etc. sanitary promotes good health and prevents the spread of bacteria.

3. Increase optimism: A disorganized, messy house makes everyone depressed, especially the homemaker.

4. Teach good manners and appreciation: If it doesn't matter where we put things, or how clean our homes are, family members will not have the right kind of respect for posessions and will have even less respect for one another.

5. So that our homes have a fresh, lovely scent. No matter how many sprays and home scents you buy, the house still has to be clean, first.

























The Window Seat by Lidia Dinner from www.allposters.com

We need to have clean, orderly and beautiful homes, because:

1. You will be prepared to call at the spur of the moment and have someone come over for a cup of tea or a heart-to-heart.

2. You won't be embarrassed if someone comes by unexpectedly.

3. You will free your mind and time for other things like catching up on sewing and correspondence, or some other creative work.

4. Cleanliness and order diffuses worry and anxiety. There seems to be less commotion and upheaval in families where everyone takes care with their possessions, puts away shoes and coats, keeps toys in a separate room, and generally looks after things. One lady I know who is now a great-grandmother said to me, "We lived in a small house when our children were little, so I let them play in the living room with their toys. But, half an hour before their father came home, they had to remove them all. I did this out of respect for him."

5. We need clean, orderly homes so that we can find things we need and not have to go out and buy them again.
























Victorian Lady 2 by John O'Brien from www.allposters.com

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another lovely post - thank you. It made me think of when my children were small & our home was small but I allowed the children just one toy to remain to show Daddy on his return home from work - it may be the train track they had made - my husband would play with the toy with my children whilst I dished up supper and the children would put it away as Daddy changed his clothes & freshened up. My Mother tried to tidy all the toys when she was visiting - "Oh no sorry nanny but Daddy wont have anything to play with" My son thought that the toy was left out for Daddy rather than for Daddy to enjoy some time with his boys!

Tracy said...

An excellent post! I get that depressed feeling when my home is not in order. I try to maintain a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere, and you have heard the saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" So true!
My children must help daily, and they have learned the value of *keeping* things in order.

Lydia said...

The organized, clean, home reduces pressure on the mind. I've know young women at home who are always depressed but very few people are brave enough to tell them that they need to put their houses in order.

LadySnow said...

Thank you so much for this post. I know all to well about being embarrassed by people stopping by spur of the moment. I have a terribly kept home and I will admit it. This is just more confirmation and encouragement I need. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

One of our friends is a fire chief, and he once made the comment that every housefire he's responded to--without exception-- have been in a very messy home. I wouldn't presume to say this is true across the board, but it did give me pause to think about keeping things clean for safety's sake!
I enjoy your posts very much. :)

Anonymous said...

*sigh* I feel so convicted...

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I really enjoy this blog. This post made me think of how much happier I am when everything is tidy.

As I looked at the pictures, I thought "my home is not that grand." But you know what, I love my home. My husband and I have worked hard to fix it up and make it beautiful and comfortable for our family. Any home can be beautiful if it is clean and well kept. You don't have to have new things, our couches are old, one was given to us. But everything works together. People comment on how warm and inviting our home is!

I am glad, we like to share hospitality with others, and we want them to feel welcome and refreshed when they come here.

Thanks for this blog!

June Fuentes @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home said...

I love the idea of preparing our homes to be ready as 'hubs of ministry' at the spur of the moment. I am currently working on my home---declutter, organizing, simplifying so that I might serve our Lord better and use the home we have a blessing and 'light' to Christians and the lost. There is no better way to teach our daughters than by exampling this ourselves. Also, I heard a great sermon on church planting and one of the things mentioned is getting your home in order so you can function easier and waste less time. Thank you soooo much for your commitment to encouraging mothers and wives. I have a blog for those purposes as well, it is A Wise Woman Builds Her Home and can be visited at www.proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com

Lady Lydia, your blog inspires me and challenges me to be the mother I know the Lord desires of me. Thank you for boldy posting what others wouldn't.

Lydia said...

Oh yes, I was just remember the fire hazards, when I came to post this morning. I forgot to put it on the list of reasons for having a clean house. Also we need clean houses to prevent eviction. I know of a woman who was evicted from her own property because of the filth!! And, in states where the "state" is very zealous, a filty home can be suspicious. Welfare workers will remove children from such homes if someone reports them or complains.

Aldara said...

Wonderful post. I am trying so hard to keep my home as orderly as possible! I know little by little I'll get better at it!
Blessings
Aldara

Carina Rose said...

I love the idea of a clean and orderly house. It's just easier said then done ;-) especially when we have those bad habits to over come and replace with good ones.

Candy said...

Thanks again for the great post :)

Anonymous said...

What an encouraging post,I always made my children clear their toys before their Father came home,but I never came across anyone else who did this apart from my own Mother.Now that I look after my grandchildren a lot we clear most of the toys away before their parents get in,It is exhausting after a day's work to come home to an intidy house where one cannot relax.

Anonymous said...

Years ago I cleared out one cupboard leaving only the few things that should be there. Giving away the rest. I made what was still there very pretty. Then every time I went into that cupboard it was so comforting to work in. No problems of having to moving this to get to that etc. Then I moved on to another area or room, What a difference it has made in our lifes!! To now live with function and beauty. My home feels so relaxing to live in. I relaxed...people noticed a difference as I was less tense. We did more together for our family and reaching out to others in need. Once you start working on your habits the family will notice and follow. Even if they do not for some time, you will all gain so much from having your home, your haven orderly.

Unknown said...

Thank you for another lovely post. I am printing yet another of your articles for my notebook...

wildsea said...

Thank you so much for this post. I have recently moved out of my mom's house and while I lived with her I was never much involved in the keeping of the house, so I found myself a bit (a lot really) overwhelmed with the house chores. Your post has really helped me get the inspiration to take control of the house instead of letting it control me.

On a side note. After I finally organized my house, the very next day, some of my friends dropped by completely unanounced (one of them has been living in Spain since 2003). It felt GREAT to receive them in a clean, tidy and worm home where they felt very comfortable, so much so that we stayed up talking until very late the next morning!

So once again...THANK YOU!!