Sticking to a Schedule

by Crystal Paine

You mentioned that you have been able to stick to your daily schedule easier now than in the past....I was wondering, why do you think you've been more successful at it now? What changed? - Mrs. B

Hi, Mrs. B ! Although I'm not perfect at my schedule and still have a long way to go to be as organized as I'd like to be, things have been running much more smoothly around here since the beginning of the year, thanks to my schedule and the grace of God.

I've made lots of schedules before and stuck to them for a whopping 2-3 days at best. I always start out with the greatest intentions and then have very little follow through. Jesse and I had some long talks about his desires for me around the end of last year. I realized how important it was to him that I am organized and scheduled. It blesses him and it makes for a much calmer home and a more cheerful wife.

So, when I realized how important it was to him (for some reason I had always thought the schedule was more for me, not him), I was much more motivated to actually stick with the schedule that he had helped me to make up. I also listened to Twenty-Four Hours is All You Get and that was a major challenge to me. I was convicted of coming up with many excuses for not following a schedule -- excuses which were, in reality, sin. Another huge motivating factor. Plus, I knew that I really wanted to get organized and stay organized because I know it won't get any easier in the future. I might as well endeavor to be as organized as I can now.

So, with all of this in mind, I wrote up a workable schedule, had my husband approve it, and then determined, by the grace of God to stick with it! I use it more as a guideline, not a rigid taskmaster. Everything doesn't always get done on it every single day. But, most days, most things get done on it. And most days, things run much more smoothly and efficiently by following it. Plus, I've found I am able to get a lot more day and stay much more relaxed than if I am constantly living in the "tyranny of the urgent."

I ask the Lord daily for grace and to go before me and to allow me to put my husband, my daughter, and my home first, and to be the help meet that God desires for me to be to my husband. I've also asked my husband to keep me accountable -- this has been a tremendous help to me. He encourages me daily to stick with my schedule and he often calls throughout the day to see if I am sticking to it. What a joy to be able to relate to him that I am honoring him by staying organized.

Today, Jesse unexpectedly dropped by home for lunch. How nice for him to come home to a cheerful, presentable wife (I ever had my hair fixed and makeup on!), clean home -- freshly vacuumed, candles burning, hot tea made, Kathrynne happily sitting in her chair eating while I read to her, and some lunch ready to heat up for him to eat. Yes, there was still a pile of laundry to fold on the couch and some toys were out and about in various places, but how wonderful to bless my husband by keeping our home neat and tidy and welcoming for him -- at any time of the day or night. No, I'm not perfect, and if you drop by unexpectedly, I can't promise things will be spotless, but I am grateful for the grace God is giving me (along with my husband's great encouragement!) to be faithful to stick to my schedule.

Now, if I could just stick to my schedule for going to bed on time, maybe things would run even a lot more smoothly!

Crystal Paine is a 24-year-old homeschool graduate from Topeka, Kansas. She is the blessed wife of Jesse and joyful mother of Kathrynne. Visit her site, Biblical Womanhood, for books, articles, encouragement, and inspiration!

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