Crumbs on the counter

Being a wife includes the role of "house manager," it's a natural expectation for some. Of course, some homes work differently where the husband handles the things of the house, but in our home I can see that I have a greater hold on the house managing stuff. I am a doer. I do the laundry, I wash the dishes, I sweep and mop the house and I do the grocery shopping, but I can't pick up every crumb on the counter.

My wonderful, selfless, thoughtful husband also has a role in managing our home. He helps me when I need it and I help him when he needs it. Of course we each do certain things for our home a little better than the other but that's us simply having our strengths and weaknesses; it's natural to have that balance in a relationship. Having settled expectations and honing our responsibilities in our home manifests a peace.

There is no room for grudges and there is less bickering when you express certain expectations and responsibilities you would like to hold, or even would like for your partner to take on. This open and honest communication sets the tone and creates a flow for your home. 

For instance, I can be a messy person. I like to move from one spot of the house to another with my laptop and books, reading or writing anywhere from the kitchen to the living room sofa. I like the options and movement, meanwhile I have a home office space where I can settle my books and laptop on an open table. However, I wouldn't upkeep my home office space. I would plant sweaters, receipts, bags, and cables on my polished desk and chair, leaving it vacant from creativity.

My husband then noted that I never used my desk, or at least he hasn't seen me use it in a long time. I was offended and appalled at his comment, but I then took it to heart because it was true, I wasn't using it for its purpose. So I cleaned it up and placed my laptop and books on it in a neat layout. Once he came home that night I sat and read at my desk, showing him that I was using it properly. He was excited to see me there and peeked over his shoulder as he sat at his office space.

Of course, I still move around from place to place in our house but I know to respect my home office space. When I sit on that comfy seat and open up my laptop I know I mean business. I pray over that space and invite creativity and peace to overflow and they come. That space is best when it is clean and available for its purpose.

Setting expectations in your home allows for peace and comfort that are hard to find in outside places. Your home is yours, it's a space that you decide how it's going to feel and run. Every home is unique in the feeling it brings and the pace it runs. Use it for its great purpose, a purpose that produces great, ripe, beautiful fruit that will last and satisfy your appetite while you're there.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
— Galatians 5:22-23

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
— Romans 14:19

For each will have to bear his own load.
— Galatians 6:5

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
— 2 Peter 1:10