cleaning 101

There is just nothing more calming, more soothing, more satisfying than a clean space. Anyone with me on that? Well, if you aren’t, that’s alright. I know I’ve got some good company in the “clean your space, change your life” arena! Growing up, I was not the tidiest of kids. I spilled constantly. I was too busy playing to even think about cleaning my room or making my bed. Chores? What’s that? But, I can remember Mom using a simple little life-changing book called “Mary Ellen’s Helpful Hints.” Need to get a gravy stain out? No problem, ask Mary Ellen! Can’t get that candle wax off the couch? Not to fret, ask Mary Ellen! Want your whites to stay white longer? No worries, ask Mary Ellen! Yep, Mary Ellen could save any cleaning dilemma. I’m so eternally grateful for my mother who modeled how to keep a clean home (even though I didn’t join her in that plight as a youngster). She gave me a solid foundation in the cleanliness department for sure!

In my twenties is where all that wisdom from Mom really got put to the test. I did an internship at my church when I was 23. We would have cleaning day every Saturday for several hours to get the thousands of square feet of the building tidied up for Sunday services. Those were some of the best years of my life, primarily because those were the years I “grew up” and “put my big girl pants on” and started paying attention to the little details. Now, of course, Jesus is the ultimate answer to a whole life and there is no comparison to His saving, redeeming, transforming power! But I’m definitely a firm believer in keeping a tidy space and how a clean, healthy environment makes all the difference in living a more enjoyable, more satisfying life.

That said, we in the Waters home keep up with Mom’s standards of cleanliness. And because I love lists, here is the “cleaning 101,” if you will, of how to keep your home tidy and clean to help you get started and motivate you to make your own list. Clean your space, change your life!

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation. | Psalm 24:3-5