Does Something Stink?

The Israelites had to depend on God daily for 40 years just to have food and survive. He had already performed amazing miracles to free them from Egypt, so why wouldn't they trust that He would provide for them in the desert?

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you.'" (Exodus 16:4) "'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God!'" (Exodus 16:12) God provided quail that evening and the ground was covered with thin flakes of bread the next morning. "Then Moses said to them, 'No one is to keep any of it until morning." (Exodus 16:19) These were direct orders not to hoard. "However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell." (Exodus 16:20).

It's easy to point the finger at the Israelites and criticize their lack of faith. How could they doubt after all God had done for them? But what about us? When we hoard or collect for various reasons due to the need to find security, we are not trusting that God will provide. The things we are holding onto will eventually begin to "smell." The word "smell" could mean literally that your house will begin to smell because you cannot clean properly due to the clutter, or "smell" could mean causing problems in relationships, work, losing things, stress, depression, etc. All of these things stink!

If you are holding on to things for fear of the future, ask yourself if you are trusting in self or in God. He is your Creator and Father, and He knows what you need and will take care of you. He wants you to trust that He will take care of all of your needs, and that you should not worry about tomorrow. Relax and rest in His provision.

Bible Study on Organizing the Home

This is only in the beginning stages. So far, the ideas below have not been implemented. The possible study topics have been brainstorming ideas, and this is not a complete or a perfected list. As I continue to pray and work on each topic myself, I will add additional verses and thoughts. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me, and let me know what works, what doesn't work for you. I would love your constructive criticism. _________________________________

What does the Bible say about housework, cleanliness and organization?

Many ladies today are overwhelmed and stressed due to all the pressures to manage housework, kids, husbands, jobs, errands, cooking and other extracurricular activities. With so many responsibilities, finding the time to attend a Bible study can be difficult.

It certainly takes organization to be a Proverbs 31 woman!

There was a time when women helped each other can tomatoes, bake, care for children, etc. They did laundry together, sewed, shared helpful advice and encouraged each other. What happened? Well...with more and more of us working outside of the home, and so many of us have moved far away from family, we just don't have the support that we used to have. Today's ladies, wether working in the home or outside of the home, are blessed and stressed. We live in a society that can just purchase what we want when we want it, but such overabundance and busyness lead to clutter and stress. There are also other reasons why we hold on to things that reveal our lack of faith in God's provision.

What if a Bible study combined organization and housework with Fellowhip?

Here is the IDEA: A small group of 4-6 ladies gather to study what the Bible has to say about being a good steward, organizing, sharing their abundance with the less fortunate, being orderly, etc., visit over coffee and pray for each other, THEN get to work organizing and/or cleaning the house of the lady that hosted the study that day. This would not be your typical hostess. She would have to agree NOT to clean before everyone comes to her house. This is a foreign concept to most ladies. It would probably work best if the ladies were already well acquainted and good friends, since close friends would be more comfortable revealing their clutter.

Here is the GOAL: To help and support one another, share ideas, encourage, reduce stress and pray for our fellow sisters in Christ.

What to BRING: Bible, pen, notepad, bottle of water, snacks, & cleaning supplies. (Pack snacks so that the lady of the home does not feel pressure to have to entertain.)

GUIDELINES for Study: (Since ladies love to talk and share, this is just a guideline and conversation starter.)

•Open with Prayer

•Read Through the Scripture verses carefully and slowly

•What is God telling YOU? Each answer openly and honestly.

•How does it apply to you and what do you think God wants you to do?

•Close in Prayer

Possible Topics of Discussion for the Bible Study: (Please keep in mind this is a work in progress.)

Why do people hold on to things? The Bible says Don’t Worry (Luke 12:22-34, Phil. 4:19) Consider the Ravens

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Storing up Treasures (Matthew 6:19-20)

What does the Bible say about hoarding? Does something stink? Exodus 16:19

The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-20)

When is enough, enough? (Mark 4:19, 8:36)

Can’t Serve 2 Masters (Luke 16:13)

Being a Good Steward (look up all verses on stewardship)

It Takes Work! (Genesis 2:15, Proverbs 10:4, 12:14-24, 24:30-34)

What does it mean to be rich? Lots of stuff does not mean wealth (look up all verses on being rich)

Giving to the Needy (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

You Can’t Take it With You

Overwhelmed? Trade Yokes (Matthew 11:29-30)

Where do you find security? Happiness? In things or God?

TEENAGERS

Every kid has a different personality with different strengths. Being a teenager only complicates things, but there is hope! My daughter is so messy and never puts anything up even near where it is supposed to go, but she loves when I work with her to get her room all straight again. We tackle her room about 4x/year. The rest of the time I just tell her to clean her room, and most of the time it is never to my satisfaction. That is something that I have had to learn to deal with it.

Teenagers want to be "in control" of their room, and it would be nice if they would just keep it organized on their own. NOT likely! Sometimes MOM just has to step in. Depending on the severity, it may tak an hour, an afternoon, or it can be broken up into sections (closet, floor, dresser, etc.) doing one area/day, BUT IT CAN BE FUN!!!

Here is my idea:

1. Get ready with fun snacks, drinks, and good music.

2. Plan on working with your teen, and consider it a good time to bond, visit and ask questions about school, friends, etc. This can be done once a week, a month, quarterly, or once a year depending on how messy the teen.

3. Evaluate an plan together where things should go. You might even map it out on a piece of paper.

4. Sorting can be done a couple of ways depending on the situation. For a big job sorting should start with KEEP, TOSS, DONATE, SELL categories. If you know you are keeping everything, you may sort according to what the items are, such as shoes, jewelry, school supplies, clothes, etc. Some of these groups can be further broken down into colors, sizes, etc.

Once you have sorted, then you can see the amount of space and what type of container you might need for each category. Then, just put it in it's place! When your teen knows where things go, it's easier to find things and put them back.

Limited on space? If so, storage cubes that stack only take up a small square area on the floor and can divide categories of things.

These are just ideas and suggestions. Each situation and personality really dictates how it's going to go. If all else fails, try bribery. It works, too!

Good luck! I hope this helped a little. : )