Confessions of a Messie Minded Mom

by Teri Spray

I love the book Messies Anonymous. This lady must have been best friends with my mother. I have always seen myself as a chronic messy. I remember two nuns standing in the back of my 5th grade schoolroom on desk-cleaning day. As I filled the floor with my trash, they shook their heads and said, “Poor Teri, if only she could get organized!”

I used to have a cartoon on my refrigerator which depicted a man sitting at his desk with a file drawer upside down on his head in an office which represented a paper jungle. The caption read... “Life is difficult for the organizationally impaired.”

True confessions!
I struggle with the paper monster in my home and office every day! I wrestle with the chaos of clutter. The dredge of dust and the disgust of dog hair is on everything. (What? The world ISN’T covered in dog hair? No way!) Is there hope for a hopeless messie like me to keep one step ahead of the chaos?

With the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ inside of me there is always hope. Where I am weak, He is strong. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore I can say that I shall glory in my weakness while I cast my self-defeating cares upon the Lord.

I am amazed that Jesus called messie little me to organize school records for thousands of students. He has directed me to design complex learning programs for each child individually, then track progress year by year. To accomplish this task I must organize and utilize thousands of curriculum items and catalogs, and then purchase, package and process each item for each child. Because God believes I should have so many more organizational “talents”, He called me to spend an additional 24,000 hours writing curriculum over 10 years which teaches every era of history and every country of the world with every scientific concept to ten grade levels simultaneously. Now we do all of this with toddler grandchildren underfoot!

Obviously none of this is in my own strength. Every day I wade through the details of my life and wonder how I can get it together. Do you feel that way too? I thank God that He helps me through. Here are some practical ideas which have helped me along the way.

Picnic basket bill paying center: Bills are such and unpleasant part of daily life, we found the entire process to be simplified by placing an attractive basket on the counter to tuck the bills in as soon as they arrive. The basket also includes a ledger to track spending as well as the check book, pens, envelopes, and a calculator. Now this “unpleasant job” can be moved to the patio, the beach or the waiting room of an auto shop!

Giving Book: We support about 30 different ministries and missionaries with our offerings. Consequently we are inundated with “ministry mail.” I have taken a large view binder, filled it with document protectors and inserted only the current newsletters and envelopes from ministries and missionaries. This has alleviated boxes of mail each month, and helps me to pray for these dear brothers and sisters and give easily.

Read-along bags: I usually take my mail to read in a bag in the car. This is where I will research large amounts of new curriculum in catalogs. I also think children should also keep a bag of reading materials on hand. Leave the Game boy in the travel kit, bring books! Even if you are unable to read in the car, you can listen to audio books or look at picture books.

Center boxes: Jennifer likes to have all of her crayons in the same basket with the coloring books. One box contains art supplies, another contains unit study supplies or science materials. Another box contains math manipulatives, another contains teacher’s editions. Boxes set upon shelves are fingertip- handy.

Sorting Systems: We have found that clear plastic boxes are the only way to go. You have to see what you are sorting! I love to keep all of the school supplies in separate bins for each child We keep the pencil boxes in with the school books. It makes school so much simpler.

Idea center: Every writer fears the evil “writers block.” I keep ideas for articles to write in one drawer in my office. Now when I have a great idea, I can jot it down and toss it into the drawer. You may want to have a section in your day timer, an idea pocket on your refrigerator or a book list on your bulletin board. Whenever you hear of a helpful item or field trip idea, you can tuck it in there for future reference.

Posted goals/lists: I am including this idea as a work in progress. I am beginning to make and post lists inside of cabinets. These routine lists will include answers to various needs so I won’t have to try to remember details and come up with new ideas. Here are some lists I plan to use: What to make for dinner tonight. (long list of favorite family meals over the years) What to pack for vacation. What to pack for a home school convention. What to do for a headache, stomach ache or rash... (I use a variety of natural remedies, so it is easy to forget to start simple when I am in pain.) Goals are important to maintain perspective, stay on the right track and remind yourself if you are getting somewhere.

Though I do not feel like I have attained the prize in home organization by a long shot. I do know that God is willing to complete what is lacking in me. Forty years after I heard the comments of the nuns murmuring behind me, God reminded me of “the rest of the story.” The entire comment had been, “If only Teri could get organized ... there would be nothing that she could not do!” I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!