Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

If you are a stay-at-home mom such as myself, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed. You feel like your sole-purpose in life is only to cook, clean, and take care of children. You may often feel unappreciated by your family, or intimidated by women who do work outside of the home. Even worse, you may be condescending towards them. I am here to tell you that your position at home DOES have a purpose and it is very glorifying to God. 

You may have heard the expression, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Contrary to popular belief, that quote cannot be found in the scriptures. This phrase was actually first recorded in a sermon by John Wesley in 1778. However, the idea in itself is ancient and can be found in Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts, such as the ceremonial washing of the hands before writing God's name in scriptures or before you you break bread with your family.

Cleaning can be a drag, but God desires you to have a clean home. Your virtue is reflected in the cleanliness of your home and your partner's clothing. It has been said, "A man with dirty laundry is a man whose wife doesn't love him." However, with children running around, and the carelessness of our husbands, (did he forget where the hamper was?) our efforts to stay clean seem futile. The kids track dirt through the house, fling spaghetti up on the ceiling, or ruin our wooden table top by blowing bubbles into their chocolate milk through a crazy straw. It can be very frustrating and seemingly impossible to keep up with.

God expects you to be patient, and to have a loving, compassionate attitude towards our youngsters and partners who have had a stressful day at work, or just want to take the weekend to relax. You may wonder, "when do I get to relax?" Well, I hate to break it to you, but God designed us to be able to withstand pressure such as this. Though we are the weaker vessels, inside, we are empowered with wisdom, providing counsel for our husbands with our loving nature, compassion, and words of kindness that are expected. These are the standards God holds us to, and we must obey. I will outline a small list to keep you motivated to stay clean in order to honor your husbands and your God.

1.) Invite more people into your home. Have you ever been caught off-guard by an unexpected guest, and you worry because you know your house is a complete disaster? Don't you feel ashamed, or feel that you look incompetent? It can be quite embarrassing! The cleanliness of your home has an impact on how outsiders see you as a wife and mother. You can be the best mom or spouse in the world, but if people see your house in ruins, they may question your abilities, and they may actually feel sorry for your husband. Instead, as in Proverbs 31, let your clean house bring respect and honor to your husband, so that he can be the man of influence God needs him to be. Plus, hospitality definitely earns you some treasures in heaven! 

2.) Work for God, not man. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people." To work wholeheartedly means to work enthusiastically. Remember the next time that you are ripping hair up out of the shower drain, or folding laundry, that you are doing it for God. Reading Matthew 25:35-40, we can see that Jesus says, "'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" So you see? In all things you do, you will be rewarded as if you are doing it for God himself.

3.) Praise God in your heart while you clean. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." When you are on your hands and knees soaking puke or urine off the floor, pray. You are already on your knees, so pray for all the little feet that walk on it. Thank God that you have a family to make a mess in your home. You are not alone--isn't that a gift worthy of praise?

4) Work first, play later. In Ecclesiastes chapter 3, we are told there is a time for everything.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.."

Pray that God will help you to set your priorities straight.

5) Reward yourself. Ecclesiastes 3:13 further says, "And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God." When you are done cleaning, admire your work. It's okay to praise yourself, too. Break out the wine and enjoy a glass with your partner. After a long day, you both will enjoy it.

I encourage you to look over this list, and embed it in your mind. Never lose sight of your greatest God-given purpose--to love.

Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed with the routines of life, or during any trial whether significant or minute, listen to this song: