Bits for Sunday, November 18, 2007

I spent a good portion of my weekend finishing the scrapbook of my baby pictures. I wanted it to be done in time to take it to the family Thanksgiving dinner so I could get the journaling of others included in it. So my fingers are covered in ink and my table is covered in paper scraps, but I successfully made it to a year old.

Last week I gave you a break from the big list of 25 for 2007, but this week my life consisted of stories at work that I do not care to relive, much dealing with leaves in my yard, much working out, and much scrapbooking, so I guess I’m back to the list for writing material.

The fourth area I worked on this year was the area of stewardship. I grew up hearing about stewardship in connection with money – and it is about money. But it’s also about more than just the green stuff. It’s about whatever you have. Luke 12:48 says “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I began to realize that I’d been entrusted with some things that could stand a little bit more attention from me. So here were my commitments for the things God has given to me.

1. Save monthly. Mom and Dad raised me to understand the value of a savings account, and I appreciate that. But as I sit at my desk every day and pilfer through the files at hand, I listen to Money Matters by Crown Ministries, and I have learned that I have some improving to do in the world of money. It was becoming a little too easy for me to slip some extra into the “spending” part of my paycheck world and not quite as much into the “saving” part of my paycheck world. So I made a goal to save every single month – even if it meant less Hobby Lobby money.

The verdict? It’s been a good discipline for me. I’ve achieved it every month – and the months when money was tight, something extra always came in so I could meet this commitment.

2. Do weekly housecleaning. I also grew up in a home where weekly housecleaning was taught by example – and I learned early how to do my part to pitch in. I usually pitched a fit about it, but I pitched in anyway. I see the wisdom in it now – four year olds are much closer to the floor, so dusting baseboards is really a perfect task for them. But even though I was raised to clean well and clean often, I was slipping in this chore in my own home. My housecleaning became the victim of my “too busy” schedule and if I had to let anything slide, this was cut from the plans. God was nice enough to provide me with a place to live – the least I can do is honor Him by taking care of it – clear down to dusting end tables and scrubbing toilets.

The verdict? This one is still tough – still the one I want to cut corners on each week. But I find it much less of a hassle to clean when I do it on a regular basis.

3. Tune up the car. I am such a girl when it comes to cars. Only recently has my knowledge of them surpassed the level of color identification. But while I’m very dedicated about putting gas in my car (only had to run out once to learn that one!) and getting my oil changed, I hadn’t done a great job of checking up on the rest of my car’s health. My car has been good to me – a reliable little critter – and I decided this was the year to pamper it. Early in the year (thanks to an annoying puncture wound) I wound up replacing the tires, and just a few weeks ago, I sent it to the shop for a little checkup.

The verdict? I’m still such a girl about cars, but I feel good knowing my little car has been given the thumbs up for car health.

4. Work on yard improvement. I’m very fond of working in the kitchen. I’m quite happy when painting and decorating the rooms. I’m not so thrilled about outdoor work. But there’s no reason why I can’t get out the door and do what I can to make the house look presentable from the outside. So this year I got my hands dirty and put in some edger stone in the backyard, worked hard to stay up with the mowing and trimming, and more recently, I dedicated my time to leaf cleanup (a maddening task made much simpler by the new leaf blower/vacuum my Dad bought me).

The verdict? There were weeks when knowing I had to report on this task was the only thing that got me out the door and in the yard. But I’m very happy with the way the yard looks – though I don’t quite keep up with the landscaping neighbors.

5. Get new carpet for the stairs. Oh the carpet on the stairs. It is the color of an interesting diaper deposit (sorry, Dad) and is older than any carpet still in use should be. Last year I went through a rather extensive overhaul of the stairway room – and this was the one final step that I never completed. I don’t want to enter 2008 with that project still unfinished – or rather I’m just anxious to do the scrapbook page with the before and after pictures. So this week I went to the store and scheduled an appointment for the carpet boys to come and measure – and I am finishing the redecorating project.

The verdict? I’m excited to see something neutral instead of the olive color that was great in its day – but its day has long gone. The only thing that makes me sad is that I know no matter how great the carpet is that I get, the lasting power will never match whatever power they put into this carpet!

Only one more area to share with you – that will be next week!