Organization in the Seasons of Life
I lost a friend today. She passed away quietly in her bed at home after a lengthy illness, unconscious for several days of anyone in this world. She was my age, which seems much too young to leave this earth. I know that she’s with Jesus, and she is no longer in pain, but I will still miss her. Both my husband’s mother and my mother have suffered serious health issues lately, which has required travel and care from us. My son’s family just received news that a homeschool dad they know was found shot to death in his car. My oldest son is serving in Iraq as I write this, unexpectedly called from reserves, but he will return soon, God willing.
Life incidents such as illness, death, separations, accidents, and traumatic events often bring us up short, making us feel as though the occurrence has interrupted our life, even unfairly. God’s Word contradicts this faulty view. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 prepares our hearts for the many seasons we encounter during our life spans.
Life and Organization
So, how does that relate to organization, my usual topic in this column? It has a great deal to do with it. Wouldn’t you love a beautiful home all the time, one in which there was no mess or clutter and where meals, laundry, and housekeeping flowed effortlessly? So would I! But life—real life that includes seasons that God ordains for us—is rather messy. It is untidy and full of the “interruptions” that we often wish would never happen.Further in Ecclesiastes (8:5-7), God tells us that a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure for everything. Our home management and homeschooling happen in and through the context of our lives as we live in dependence on the Lord. But the necessities of living continue, even in seasons of trial and turmoil. Organization helps us weather those seasons with grace and endurance.
Organization in Difficult Seasons
A number of years ago, I fell down a flight of metal warehouse stairs—from the top step! Amazingly, I stayed on my feet, grabbing and bouncing (and screaming) down each step, as gravity propelled me to the bottom. I was grateful when I hit the concrete floor at the foot of the stairs that I was still conscious without a broken back or neck. However, I did suffer two broken feet and wore double casts for weeks, unable to walk. Because we had a reasonable routine in place and because my sons participated in household chores, we were able to function while I recovered. Oh, and I didn’t mention that we were just two weeks away from moving into a new house.
The Ecclesiastes 8 verses say that a wise man (and woman) discerns time and judgment, because he does not know what will happen. When, not if, an unexpected life season visits your household, you and your family function best if you already are practicing good skills to accomplish the necessities. That is the best reason I know to begin now, while there isn’t a traumatic event thrown into the mix of everyday living.
Smoothing Your Path
If you currently are experiencing one of those life episodes, implement everything you can right away to help smooth your path through this difficult season. Scripture has much to say about being prepared.
• Examine your priorities. Are you overplanning? Are you not planning at all, thus you live in chaos? Are numerous activities taking time? Are you expecting “perfection,” so you drive yourself to keep that standard or you just give up and disorder reigns? Make productive changes to accomplish the necessities. Ask yourself, “Would we be able to function if I were incapacitated or if our life suddenly changed because something unexpected happened?”
• Simplify everywhere possible—housework, meals, laundry, activities, school schedule. You can always add, but it is difficult to take away. The peace you experience will be worth letting some things go for this season.
• Train your family to help. I repeat that advice regularly. I can’t say it enough! It saddens me to see families who don’t require their children to work at home or, worse, who don’t follow up with training their children. The children need the lessons learned from working and being part of a family, so they will know how to undertake their seasons.
• Learn to do tasks better. If you struggle keeping your home, take time to learn. Your life will be easier in the tough times.• Build a basic routine—not an impossibly rigid schedule, but a simple routine that puts important maintenance tasks first. When you have to change direction for a time, that simple blueprint will sustain you.
Seasons of life are not interruptions; they are the stuff that makes up life and refocuses us on reality. As good stewards, we can walk through those seasons trusting the Lord and being prepared. “Therefore . . . he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21, NKJV).
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