also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
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home · 05/14/2015

5 Reasons I Keep Our House Clean

Why I Keep Our House Clean | heartnaturedI feel like my house is put together if: the bed is made, there isn’t a mountain of dishes in the sink, and the counters are clear. Two relatively simple tasks, right? But for me, they seem to make all the difference. I wouldn’t say I’m a crazy clean person, but I do believe I flourish better in de-cluttered and clean environments. The floor doesn’t have to be spotless, all the laundry doesn’t have to be done, but I do like to feel ahead of the cleaning game. After talking about it with a friend, I realized there are a couple reasons why I take the time [most days] to make the bed, empty the sink, and clean the counters.

1. It simply looks better. Decorative pillows and straightened sheets make me smile when I walk in my bedroom, as opposed to a pile of sheets that cause a little stress.

2. I feel more productive for other tasks when our house is clean. Whether it’s designing a logo, reading a book, cleaning out a closet, etc, I feel more able to get stuff done. If there is clutter everywhere I am easily distracted by whatever I happen upon — dishes, shoes everywhere, etc.

3. I can find things quicker. I think the simpler I keep my material belongings, the easier this part of life will become. If things are put away, I can find them quickly when I suddenly need them. Not everything has a perfect, “permanent” place, but when I’ve taken the time to tidy up, I know where items are.

4. I feel more comfortable spontaneously inviting people over. Not that I think I have to reach some particular standard to be accepted, but I will confess that I’m more inclined to spontaneously invite people over if I know things are at least relatively picked up.

5. It helps our family thrive. I don’t have any kids yet, but I can tell that J and I get home from work, getting started with dinner is far more enjoyable if last night’s dirty dishes aren’t all over the counter. Can anyone else testify to this? I think that when we do have kids, it may seem silly to be sure we make the bed, or clean the dishes right after dinner, but in the long run, I think we’ll feel overall better suited to tackle the day.

Do you have any cleaning quirks like I do?

What is your favorite room in your home? Mine is probably our living room.

In: home

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Comments

  1. Brittany Bergman says

    05/14/2015 at 1:25 pm

    I couldn’t agree more with these points! It’s amazing what it difference it makes mentally when I come home from work to a put-together room than when I come home to blankets everywhere and dishes in the sink. My husband likes to rearrange the living room furniture to play video games, so I’d say my “quirk” is that I am always moving it back. :) I also love #4 — it’s so nice to have a home that’s ready for people anytime!

  2. Rachel G says

    05/15/2015 at 3:02 am

    For us, it’s not even so much spontaneous invitations as people spontaneously dropping by (a hazard of living in SE Asia, but one we’ve come to love!). I’m happier in a clean house, and it’s worth the work to make it that way!

  3. Lori Boutelle says

    05/15/2015 at 11:45 am

    I feel the same way when my space is organized & clean! I have two kids, so I’ve had to let my preferences go just a little (For example, I don’t clean the dishes & put them in the dishwasher as we dirty them, but instead keep the dirty dishes neatly stacked in the sink/on the counter & clean the whole kitchen every evening after dinner), but before nap & before bed I pick everything up & get my space just the way I like it. This helps me rest & enjoy my time in a clutter/distraction free environment!

  4. Anna | SheisJoyful says

    05/16/2015 at 11:41 am

    YES. It’s just something about a clean house! It makes my entire outlook cleaner really.

  5. Chelsea B.E. says

    05/18/2015 at 11:53 am

    Rest and enjoying time in a distraction-free environment.. yes, Lori! I definitely agree.

  6. Chelsea B.E. says

    05/18/2015 at 11:54 am

    Haha, I’d probably be the same way about rearranging the furniture back, Brittany. :)

  7. Chelsea B.E. says

    05/19/2015 at 12:40 pm

    I can relate, Anna! It helps me go out into the day more confidently and ‘ready.’ :)

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  1. 101 in 1001 and Links that I Love - Life with Rosie says:
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    […] from Heart Natured wrote a post about why you should try to keep your house clean and it’s spot on. Trying to stay on top of a clean house really helps me focus on the things I […]

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also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
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