Organizing for Purpose

by Cynthia Hatcher
(Genesee, Mich. U.S.)

Well, most everywhere in the country, school has begun. I don't have any little children but there is still one at home going to the local college. Just as in the many years passed, "Mom does this outfit look okay?" or "Mom, have you seen my...?" I'm finding out sometimes it takes years of what we teach at home to impact our families' hearts where it makes a change in behavior. And as usual, I give the answer, along with some organizing wisdom to help solve the problem.

In the midst of helping to select classes, buying books, doing the regular house chores, scheduling family picnics, summer birthday parties and vacations, I opened a non-profit organization.

One of my first priorities was to find an office outside of my home. Some of you may ask, "Why? Aren't you the organizing guru? You mean you couldn't find the time and space in your house?" Even some of my close friends did not understand.

There is wisdom in organizing what you can and wisdom to know when it is time to add more space.

In my home, I take care of paying bills for my home, the writing ministry of which I am a steward and a home business. Ideally, working from home made the way for me to be the mother, wife and homemaker that I desired while bringing in an income. But when this next opportunity arose, there was absolutely no space to put it.

Now, after several years of being at home, I am in the marketplace again. This calls for a different level of organizing. I believe everyone has a certain function or objective in life to obtain. This time I am organizing for purpose.

The first step to being organized when more is added to your already full plate, (like school schedules, school games, band practice, after school activities, etc. and don't forget your exercise routine) is to remain calm and be flexible. These two attributes will go a long way in helping us not to become overwhelmed.

Now, instead of doing house chores in the morning, I do them immediately when I get home from work, still tidying up at night before bedtime. There was no way for me to add house chores in the morning along with prayer, bible reading and exercising.

Remember, everyone is different. Yes, God in His wisdom gave us enough hours in a day if we properly schedule our time, do first things first and have a calm and cheerful attitude.