Books On Purpose

Greetings Sweet Friends!

Spring is nearby! Spiders only start finding their way into the house when it's warm enough to come out from hiding! I've caught two trying to encroach our living spaces. Beware! I carry a large phone book!

Speaking of living spaces, today is the perfect day to introduce Staci Eastin's book, The Organized Heart: A Woman's Guide to Conquering Chaos.

Wait! Don't run! This is not another how-to book. I'm not going to discuss calendars, flip-charts, or schedules! This book is about the heart. It dares to examine why we aren't as organized as we could be. It's grounded in the grace of God.

Staci says, "Most of these books and tools assume that disorganization stems from lack of skill." But dear readers, most of us could admit that we have some basic knowledge passed down from a mother or grandmother.

The author identifies four idols that may be preventing or delaying us from getting organized. An idol doesn't have to be a statue. It can be whatever is earthly in you. The four she presents are: leisure, perfectionism, possessions, and busyness.

Leisure, or laziness is putting our own comfort and wants ahead of our tasks. Yesterday, I had to sort receipts for taxes. I thought of twelve different reasons to get up and do something different.

Perfectionism is creating an outer appearance that everything is well-maintained. While inwardly there might be a whole variety of chaos. A senseless idol since God's grace is what enables us to achieve everything. Who's being perfect in that scenario?

Busyness and possessions are idols of excess. An over-committed schedule can hinder organization and so can having too many belongings.

When we can identify what is interfering with our organizational system, we can more easily repent, and get rid of it. Obviously, there are occasional circumstances, that are out of our control.

As Staci so plainly states, " It is a change of heart that only the Gospel can bring."

It's getting the work done first, and then trusting God for rest later. Tax season was the perfect time to discover this book. I did file all of my receipts, and even spent the rest of the night reading!

This book is published by Cruciform Press. I would encourage you, dear readers, to pick it up.

Have a great day!
Alis