You know what time it is...
Spring cleaning season is here, and while you may be busy dusting shelves and tossing out clutter, have you paused to consider that your heart might need a little decluttering, too?
Just like a messy home can make it hard to find peace, a heart weighed down by sin, distractions, or unaddressed emotions can keep you from walking closely with God - which in turn can wreak havoc on your marriage.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us to
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.
This is an instruction, which indicates that we have control over whether or not we do this.
If we want a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord, and a stronger, healthier marriage, we have to make space for God by intentionally, purposefully, obediently letting go of the things that get in the way.
Maybe you're struggling with bitterness or unrealistic expectations toward your husband; a grudge you’re holding against a friend; or just the never-ending to-do list that keeps pushing time with God to the bottom of it (which means it rarely, if ever, happens).
Whatever it is, there are some steps you can take to declutter the things in your heart that aren't serving you, your faith, or your family, and free up some space to invite Christ to fill you with godliness and fruits of the Spirit.
The first step in decluttering your heart is identifying what’s there.
You can do this by prioritizing your time studying Scripture.
When you spend intentional time in the Word, the Holy Spirit brings to light the things you need to surrender (Psalm 139:23-24).
If you don’t make space for Scripture in your life (daily if possible), you won’t even recognize the clutter you're carrying.
Spend time reading and studying the Bible, and then take a few minutes to journal out a few things you feel the Spirit is revealing to you that you need to let go of.
The next step is to actively let go of sin and negativity.
This is where you apply what you study.
If God’s Word calls you to forgive, you forgive. If it calls you to trust instead of worry, you surrender your anxieties in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
It’s not enough to simply acknowledge the clutter; you have to remove it. And just like with physical clutter, this is an ongoing process—not a one-time event.
As you take steps to declutter your heart, you’ll find that your time with the Lord feels more joyful and meaningful, your marriage will benefit from your softened spirit, and your joy in Christ will grow.
The final step is to replace the clutter with fruits of the Spirit.
In Matthew 12:44-45, Jesus tells us:
Then it [the demon] says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.
When you simply try to stop doing or to release something, without replacing it with a godly alternative, you leave your mind, heart, and soul susceptible for the enemy to fill that space with even more clutter.
For example, you can try to stop thinking negative thoughts about your husband, but if you don't replace them with positive thoughts instead, you'll find yourself coming up with all sorts of other destructive assumptions to dwell on.
How do you cultivate the fruits of the Spirit? By practicing the core spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and worship.
If you need help getting started, I invite you to check out my free Quieting Your Mind Guide. This guide was created to help you learn how to experience deeper, more meaningful and fruitful connection with God in your quiet times.
Make time this week to sit with the Lord and ask Him to show you what needs to go. Then, be obedient in clearing it out and adding spiritual disciplines in so you can walk more freely with Him.
Buckle up, buttercup; this topic may get a little bumpy.
Let me first say that if just the title of this post gets your blood boiling, there is clearly some unlearning and biblical learning that needs to happen. I have been there; I get it.
With that note out of the way, let’s chat about something I’ve wrestled with (and I'm sure you have to, unless it's a topic you've been told to ignore): serving my husband.
In our current feminist society, serving your husband is something only weak, controlled, subservient "trad wives" do. The world will tell you that in marriage, you shouldn't have to serve your husband. You should be equals and make each other happy and show mutual respect (some of which is true).
Scripturally, we're called to serve one another as a body of believers:
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Ephesians 6:7-8
Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Wives are called to submit to their husbands, which in and of itself is service to him. Being a "keeper at home" per Titus 2 is an act of service. When you apply those passages alongside the others that call believers to serve one another, it's obvious wives have a particular role in serving their husbands.
I don't know about you, but as a Christian, my goal is to understand Scripture so that I can apply and OBEY it. Obedience to God is EVERYTHING.
Simply knowing what the Bible says doesn't do us any good if we don't seek to live it out (even the demons acknowledge Jesus; the difference is they don't obey Him).
And so, the quest began to serve my husband out of obedience to Christ.
For a long time, “serving” felt like a chore, something I had to do because I was the wife.
But when I began to understand that serving him was a way to honor God and pour love into my marriage, my perspective shifted.
Serving your husband doesn’t have to mean elaborate meals or Pinterest-worthy gestures (unless that’s your thing - it's definitely not mine).
It can be as simple as asking how you can pray for him or surprising him with his favorite snack (Aldi has great random snack finds!).
The key is doing it with joy, not resentment or obligation.
- When you serve joyfully, it’s like planting seeds of love that will grow over time.
- When you serve joyfully, God is honored and glorified.
- When you serve joyfully, YOU will be more joyful.
- When you serve joyfully, your husband feels more loved and respected.
- When you serve joyfully, you set a biblical example for your children, your friends, and all of those in your circle of influence.
This month, why not make it fun?
Think of creative ways to bless your husband.
- Write him a note each day leading up to Valentine’s, telling him one thing you appreciate about him.
- Plan a date night that focuses on something he loves, even if it’s not your favorite (Top Golf?).
- Take on one of his chores for the day as an act of kindness.
- Rub his shoulders or back, or his legs if he holds tension there.
- Fill a jar with Hershey's hugs and kisses and give him a real one each time he takes out a candy.
- Send him a "meat bouquet" or a "jerky heart".
Remember, serving isn’t about getting something in return. It’s about showing Christ’s love in a tangible way.
And when you do it joyfully, your heart softens, your connection deepens, and your marriage gets a little sweeter.
So grab your planner or a sticky note and jot down some simple ideas to serve your husband today. Little things add up to big love.
Share your ideas in the comments, too! Let's inspire and encourage our sisters in Christ today!
Sweet friend, I have been where you are.
If you’re carrying guilt or regret from last year—missed opportunities, unresolved conflict, uncompleted goals, or just feeling like you’ve fallen short—I want you to know something: God’s grace is bigger than your mistakes.
Romans 5:20 says,
where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Letting go of guilt isn’t about pretending it never happened; it’s about trusting that Jesus paid the price for it and choosing to walk in the freedom He offers.
YES. It is a CHOICE to hold on to guilt or to release it.
Start by confessing your guilt to God.
1 John 1:9 says,
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Rest in that promise and allow His forgiveness to wash over you.
Next, recognize that nowhere in Scripture are we told to forgive ourselves. Why? Because God's justice is so much higher than ours. His sense of judgement is so much greater. If God Himself says we are forgiven, then our forgiveness is moot.
HE has forgiven you - and HIS GRACE is sufficient.
Holding onto guilt only keeps you stuck. God's desire is for you to move forward in new growth. Embrace the new mercies God gives you each day (Lamentations 3:23) and use them as a fresh start.
Instead of dwelling on the past, ask God how He wants you to grow and move forward - and then take action to do it.
Finally, surround yourself with encouragement. Whether it’s joining a small group, being intentional about studying God's Word each day to gain wisdom and be transformed, or spending time with wise, godly friends, find ways to keep God’s truth in front of you.
If you’re looking for a practical step toward renewal, join my 5-Day Spiritual Reset Challenge that starts tomorrow. It’s a week of daily prompts to help you let go of guilt, refocus your heart, and embrace the grace God so freely offers.
Let’s walk this journey of renewal together!
The start of a new year feels like a blank page, doesn’t it? There’s something so refreshing about knowing you can turn the corner and start fresh.
But if you’re anything like me, you might also feel a little overwhelmed.
There are a million and one new ideas for organizing your home. A thousand posts about how to reinvigorate and stir new passion into your marriage. Hundreds of suggestions for how to create routines that will help you to move your body and drink more water.
Or maybe it's your your faith that feels a bit stale, and you’re wondering which influencer to follow to rekindle that passion for God. Maybe you feel a little guilty because last year's resolutions didn't stick through the year.
Let me reassure you: God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and He’s ready to meet you right where you are.
And friend - when you meet with Him consistently, that one single step will refresh EVERY other area of your life.
Here is my encouragement to you: instead of jumping into an ambitious Bible reading plan that feels daunting, start with one passage or chapter a day and ask God to open your mind to His wisdom and grant you understanding.
Couple this with prayer—an honest conversation with Him about your fears, your desire to grow spiritually, your needs for your marriage, kids, work, and friendships, and your desire to surrender everything to His perfect will.
Trust that He can and will work in your heart as you first make it a priority to seek Him in Scripture, and second make it a priority to lay everything at His feet in obedience to Him.
Consider setting a faith-led goal for the year. Maybe it’s to study one book of the Bible deeply (you don't have to read the entire Bible in a year in order to grow!), memorize Scripture (perhaps one verse a month?), or pray regularly with your husband (or pray for him, if praying together isn't an option).
Whatever it is, make it personal and meaningful. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone! Surround yourself with women who will encourage and support you in your journey.
If you know God is calling you to take this one step to draw closer to Him, I would love to invite you to enroll in the Wives of the Word: Bible Study Methods for Women course! Doors are currently open, but only until THIS Friday, January 10, 2025.
This is your opportunity to start 2025 refreshed, with the tools and confidence to study Scripture deeply (even on the days you only have a few minutes), apply God’s truths to your marriage, parenting, and life, and grow into the women God has called you to be - while I hold your hand and guide you step-by-step, and with the encouragement and support of other women learning alongside you.
Enroll now and take the first step toward a life of spiritual renewal and joy! Doors close Friday, so don't miss out!
Let’s start this year with hearts renewed and ready for what God has in store!
How in the world does clutter have an effect on being a godly wife? We're wrapping up our series on the Daily Habits of a Godly Wife with today's post!
Some might say that as a godly wife, your role is a keeper at home, so that's the only reason you should keep your home well. That's not what we're talking about today.
In this post, we'll explore how clutter in our homes - and in our souls - can affect our behavior as godly wives.
Not only does a clean and organized home create a sense of calm, but it also frees up space in our minds and schedules.
In addition to physical clutter, we also have a need to address mental clutter. Negative thoughts and anxious concerns can wreak havoc on our emotions, but we have the power to choose what thoughts to entertain and what to reject.
Be sure to read the whole post for some tips and a FREE resource I use and love!
Read more...
