What You Didn’t Know About Cleaning

As I’m scrubbing dishes, I wonder what it would be like to bring a woman from a 3rd world country into my home. I imagine her excitement when she sees my sink. So many beautiful dishes! Running water! Oh, look at those soap bubbles! I can practically see her giggle as she washes my plates, absolutely thrilled to help take care of them and put them into cupboards.

When we’re done in the kitchen, I offer several hand-me-down outfits to her. She exclaims excitedly again, trying to figure out the fastest way to get word back to her friends. Come quick! There are clothes! Enough for all of us! I can’t wait to show you, to share with you, my friends!

And then it’s dinner time. I open my fridge and she gasps with astonishment. So much food! You are rich! Children, hurry in! We are making a feast tonight! She begins pulling food out, thrilled beyond words, and asks me how to start a cooking fire in the stove.

As I show her how to turn the knob, I contemplate her generosity and her excitement to work in my home. I know she sees that I have enough for many people. Much more than I truly need.

And I realize that I am blessed beyond measure. Compared to most of the world, I’m rich.

I finally understand the best thing about cleaning isn’t having a clean house afterwords. The best thing about cleaning is simply having things to clean. Homes to care for, dishes to eat from, food to enjoy, toys for our children to play with, plenty of outfits to wear… it’s all so much. We are abundantly blessed.

My Full Home Declutter Update:

Days 14 & 15 I finally finished decluttering my kitchen. It took me nine hours total but is so worth it (pictures of the first two hours are here)! I love having my spice shelf and baking supplies organized again, my recipes in the recipe binder, and my cabinets neat and tidy. Cooking is so much more enjoyable now that everything is fresh and organized again!

Kitchen Summary:

• Spent 7 hours finishing the kitchen.
• Filled 1 trash bag for donation.
• Filled 2 trash bags filled with trash.

OVERALL TOTALS:

• Time spent cleaning, decluttering & organizing: 36.5 hours
• Bags for donation: 15
• Bags of trash: 10
• Plus 1 huge Christmas tree.

Don’t forget to join me on Instagram using #GetOrganizedChallenge and join the Facebook support group.

How are you doing with your declutter goals this month?