Home | Charis Buckland

Hey hey! It’s a snow day! Not really for the students in this house, but no worries, we’ve already had fun outside, just finishing up some seat work inside now. I’ve realized I love looking at snow and get excited when it falls, but I’d still rather swim any day!

What are you up to today? I am embroidering a hand towel for the half bath downstairs. They always get so dingy and I rarely remember to switch them out! 

One of my favorite verses for life over the past few years has been 1 Thessalonians 4:11 which says, “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands…”. I like to sew or embroider or make stuff for people. I find time at “rest time” in the afternoons and not a whole lot of time during the day, but it serves as a happy place. I had to move my sewing/embroidery/writing desk to my bedroom to make a better place for school desks downstairs, but I can shut my door, which is nice. 

This verse reminds me of the culture outside my front door that is noisy and often celebrates loud people. The culture worships celebrities, is desperate to become famous, and religiously pays exorbitant amounts of money for entertainment. Anxiety is huge from the fear of missing out or falling behind. We need peace! It’s alright if you have a quiet time at home and make something for someone else. It’s alright if your kids aren’t on play dates weekly or attend every library story time. Moderation is essential. 

Let me be clear, I am an extrovert. I get really sad and think way too much if I have too much solitary time. In college, I did the pizza parties with the girls in the dorm at 2 a.m. and hung out with different friend groups every week. I love people! We also need time to be quiet and just be who God created us to be. What can add peace to the life God has given us?

1. MAKE YOUR BED
Since I am a counselor, I of course, love psychology, so I keep reading and studying to maintain may license and stay current in research. It’s no secret that little wins first thing in the morning, motivate people to continue their day to accomplish more wins. It might seem laughable, but make your bed! I have told clients this for years and will never stop! It might seem silly if your mama never made you do it, but rolling out of bed and automatically pulling up the covers and throwing pillows at the head of the bed is such an accomplishment, it propels people to the next accomplishment. Try it, you’ll like it!

2. KEEP DISHES OFF THE COUNTER
It really depends on the person and the living situation, but since we graduated from seminary, we have had dishwashers, SO it gets run every night overnight, gets emptied first thing in the morning, and every dish throughout the day is put right back in, so there are never dishes in the sink. Even Izzy Grace at age one, likes to put her plate in the rack. 

If I have used a lot of stuff to make a meal with or bake with, I create what we call a “bubble bath” in the left side of the sink, stopped up, to put large items to begin cleaning themselves or stuff that cannot be washed in the dishwasher. It might leave some items in the sink, but they’re soaking in dish detergent and it smells great too.

3. CLEAN UP AT NIGHT
I love getting up to a calm house, especially when people start screaming in anticipation of the new day as I gather myself together and look presentable. This has a different meaning for different people. My sister who lives with her cats doesn’t have the crumbs we seem to collect all day long, so she doesn’t need to vacuum like I do! It’s nice to vacuum every day or so in the living room to see the fresh carpet the next day. It might mean to fluff and straighten the couch pillows and blankets. It might mean clean up paperwork and tidy up the desk for work the next day. It might mean putting toys away. We wipe the kitchen counters after every meal so those shine during the night and are waiting for breakfast in the morning. We always have a gazillion crumbs around the kitchen table, so someone sweeps each night. It looks different in different seasons. I may have more stuff to pick up, but I also have more help cleaning up too!

A note about towels: Everyone is responsible for their bath towels when they are used. The floor is a no-no (although I catch them there often). Each person has towel with their monogram on it, so I know exactly who left it on the floor. Some people might use certain colored towels to keep them straight. The only people who get away with it are those who cannot reach the towel hook!

Another note: Children get an incredible self-esteem boost when they pick up their toys when they are through or before bedtime or complete any task. They often love to help me switch clothes from the washer to the dryer, so by all means, YES! The toddlers here throw their toys in the appropriate baskets when they are finished, the older ones clean up their school desks. When toddlers ask to help, the answer is usually a definite YES you can help!

My cat, however, is a little less helpful…he just comes in to use the warm blankets…

4. I mention this last, but it’s out of importance. Begin with a quiet time with God. This also looks different for different people in different seasons. It’s always wonderful to begin the morning with God to start the day right, but some people work through the night, some people have kid, and some have other stuff. A few years ago, I woke up, went downstairs for some hot tea, and read my Bible at the kitchen table in the quiet of the morning alone before everyone else was awake, with five small kids. Now, with older kids up for school, and little people up and needing assistance, I stay in my room, grab my Bible and devotional from the dresser, and read in the bed. It certainly isn’t long, but praise the Lord that He knows my heart and has patience with me, no matter what. Whatever time you have, spend some time with God alone and you will begin to realize your deep need for Him and will not be willing to sacrifice the gift of His love and grace. 

Love,
Charis

Pic(k) of the day:

In my attempt to be a “fun mom,” on this blustery snow day, I decided to make warm grilled cheese in the oven. As I slid the sheet pan in, it bumped the cabinet doorknobs of an open cabinet, so all the sandwiches, prepared with such love, tragically fell all over the inside of the oven. Yes, the burning smell of cheese permeated the kitchen so I had to turn the vent on. Yes, the cheese continued to sizzle for some time. I did manage to salvage all the bread and simply replaced the cheese that slipped out. So, whatever your day has been like, there ya go. There is mine.