Daunting Task Ahead

One of the hardest things to do, when faced with a daunting task, is sometimes just getting in there and doing it!  We think about it.  Know it is something that has to be done.   And dread the work ahead to the point of procrastination!  I am good at that one!  I think we all can say that we have tasks that we don't particulary love doing...yes?!    Trying to put joy back into those tasks can be hard to imagine just how.

My daunting task this past week was polishing the stairs.  Once a month I give all of our wood furniture a good polish and with 62 rungs, 17 stairs and 3 posts to be done, this can be one of those tasks I will put off and put off.  I can find other things that I tell myself that I can do or needs to be done before starting on the stairs.  I have to say though that when it is done, I love to stand back and see how much better it looks!  But how?   How does one make a task seem not so daunting?  I do a couple of things...

First, I try to remember how much better I feel when all is said and done and how much I enjoy stepping back to see a job accomplished.  I put on a pretty apron (necessary when using oil products) and some of my favorite music.  Blaine and I love the Baroque time period of music and have it playing in the house just about as much as we have the coffee pot going.    It is great to listen to while we are working on various tasks in our home and I really think it sets the tone.  Did you know that there have been studies written on the effects that Baroque music has on learning?  Something to consider while home schooling your children or even helping your children with their homework.

Secondly, I think of our home as a canvas.  It is a piece of art work that I can create with my own loving hands.  Ladies...we have the ability to set the tone in our homes and make it a peaceful retreat and haven for ourselves and families. 

A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.
~Proverbs 17:22~

We all have days that we are just not "up to the task" and I will be the first one to admit that I have many days like that.  I have the choice to make or break it.  I have the choice to dwell in the muck or climb out and at least try to have a cheerful and thankful heart for what God has blessed me with - no matter what it happens to be at the time.  We think, and are very much deceived into thinking, that dwelling in the negative is easier than it is to turn it around to being positive.  Sometimes just taking a nice shower, combing my hair and putting on something nice will change my attitude completely around.   

Do we realize that when we don't take care of ourselves that it has a great effect on our spouse, children and home?  Sometimes our not being up to the daily tasks in our home has a lot to do with our not eating properly and getting enough rest.  I think there is this huge thought about Christian Ladies and by Christian Ladies themselves that they must run themselves ragged and take second, third and fourth place if necessary.  Yes, we are to place others before us but..what good are you to your family and loved ones if you let yourself go?    How will you be able to do what God has called you to do if you don't take care of yourself?!  This misconception sometimes becomes about ourselves and not others.  If you are priding yourself in how you look, whether it is how good you look or even if it is how poor you look, either way you are placing yourself in the forefront and not your husband and family and most certainly not God!  Christ is a wonderful example to us and please note that He did not have Welcome written on his forehead - there was great respect for him even by the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes.  He took the time needed to refill His cup and pour out to others in need.  We need to remember to do the same!

Thirdly, I find things to make the task at hand joyful.  With the 62 rungs, 17 stairs and 3 rather detailed posts...

...how to make it joyful?  Think of all the senses we use and don't even think about.  Not only does sound have a profound effect on us in our mood but so does our sense of smell.  In our home, we try to use products that are as close to being natural as possible.  I have slowly eliminated the caustic chemicals with the healthy and what so many seem to think as an old fashioned alternative that requires more effort and work. 

I love using two different products in polishing my wood pieces.  One of my favorites is lavender essential oil.  A little goes a long way and not only does it give a nice protective shine to the wood but it also leaves the most wonderful scent.  The health benefits of using this far outweighs the use of chemically produced product that only causes harm - no matter what they try to sell...err...I mean tell you.  I use the lavender oil for myself as well but more on that later on.  

Something else that I do to give me a pick-me-up in doing a task is trying out something new.  Weird I know but I love trying out new things...

I found this lemon oil with bees wax at local Amish/Mennonite store we have here.  It required a little extra work but the results were just amazing!  And the house smelled wonderful and now has become my second favorite polishing product!

Hard work means prosperity; only a fool idles away his time.
~Proverbs 12:11~

Using essential oils like lavender and lemon make the house smell wonderful but also helps keep the bugs away.  Dried lavender is often used on the window sills to keep many different critters at bay.  Dried citrus (pomanders with cloves) also helps keep bugs away not to mention a great spirit lifter during the long gray days of winter.  Potpourri is another great way to bring a comforting aroma to your home as well as keeping critters and crud away.  I have found that using cinnamon oil (a few drops on a cotton ball)  keeps the pantry bug free.  If you have ant problems use cinnamon oil or powdered cinnamon - they hate it!  Please be careful when using cinnamon oil.  It can cause burning on your skin and be sure to use metal measuring tools when using - it will melt your plastic.  The great thing about using these oils is that it is all natural!  God says that He has made everything we need and they work!  Imagine that?!  Having these aromas, that are natural, provide a healthy environment for my home and one that is soothing.  We are rarely sick and when major flu bugs come around, I think that much of it gets thwarted before making its way in because we use the above as a type of aromatherapy. 

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) here on Xanga wrote a great post on keeping things real!  Please take a few minutes to read this Proverbs 31/Titus 2 Woman's words of wisdom before you go!

Keeping It Real (found in the middle part of the post)

Cheryl is a wonderful example to us all!  Her blog is one you may want to keep in your list of favorites.  She always has something warm to share - Thank You Cheryl!

Love and God's Blessings,

Mrs. Catherine

Currently Reading At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years, Book 1) By Jan Karon see related