Why would a gal who doesn’t like to clean (and isn’t exactly the queen of clean) write a book on cleaning?
(My in-laws actually told me I was profiting from my disability.)
I wrote 31 Days to Clean because I wanted to encourage women to clean and care for their domains without the guilt involved. It seems that most of the cleaning books out there are written by uber cleaning gurus who just don’t understand why you can’t just “do it!” I wanted to write from a perspective of a woman who wasn’t a natural cleaner, but who did want to persevere in order to create an environment filled with peace and love. The eBook, at the heart, is really about just that, the heart. It is about putting off guilt and shame and learning to walk in the truth that your “good enough” has nothing to do with your cleaning abilities. And it turns out, many women need to hear that! They need to hear that they don’t have to get it together to be “good”, “loving”, “submissive”, etc. They need to find their identity in the One who says, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).
I love the freedom that comes from knowing that I am already, in eternity’s perspective, perfect, complete, for all time. I don’t have to do better or be better, I just need to walk faithfully with my God as He molds me. And so do you.
You can keep and care for your home one step at a time, imperfectly. You wear imperfect flesh, but you have a perfect soul if you know Him. The blood covers the ugly.
So friend, today, if you struggle with maintaining your domain, you get overwhelmed, you wish you had a maid (I’m praying for one for you!), don’t let those feelings define you or get you stuck. Like Dory, just keep swimming! Give it to God and walk in His steps as He goes before you.
I’m in this with you, and together, with Him and our hearts set on eternity, we can persevere!
By Sarah Mae, SarahMae.com
Psst…I’d love to share coffee with you everyday. Click here and I’ll quietly slip into your inbox with a good brew and some soul conversation on the side.
Christy says
“You wear imperfect flesh, but you have a perfect soul if you know him.” Love this 🙂
Sarah Mae says
Christy, me too. 🙂
My Disability (On Cleaning) « Like A Warm Cup of Coffee says
[…] Read the answer over in the Bloom Book Club today! […]
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says
Thank you for this (in)couragement!
Sarah Mae says
MUAH!
Maggie Hogan says
Beautifully stated! Cleaning is not so much my issue – but organization, now there is a problem! I am totally paper-challenged! Please Write me one on that, ok?! I own most of them but they are all from naturally organized people… ack.
In the meanwhile, I am sharing the info about your cleaning book because too many women have bought into Satan’s lie that if they don’t keep a perfect house they are a failure. They miss the blessing of ENJOYING their home with their family. They miss out on hospitality because their home isn’t “good” enough or “clean” enough. God bless your work.
Maggie
Sarah Mae says
Maggie, I agree! And thank you!
As for an organization book…well, THAT would really be profiting off my disability! 😉
Christin says
Love your heart Sarah Mae {but you already know that} 🙂 *MUAH*
Sarah Mae says
Your support always lifts me. Thank you, friend. 🙂
Kelly @ Wisdom Begun says
Love you and love this.
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14) <—- That? That is a powerful, life growing, encouraging verse. Imagine how much more joyful our days as moms of messy kids would be if we remembered this and kept it close to our hearts.
Thank you, sweet lady!
Sheila Porter says
You will never know just how much this post and your e-book have inspired me. I have a chronic disease and struggle daily with trying to strike a balance between what I feel I should be able to do and what I am physically able to. You have reminded that God meets each one of us just where we are!
Thank You
Bethany says
Hi Sarah Mae! I can’t wait to read your book. We are like-souled it seems in many ways. Anyway, I bought it but it wouldn’t download and then the link expired so I didn’t not receive the book. I was wondering what the best way to contact you to ask for the link again is? I tried e-mailing and writing on your FB page. Anyway, I’m inspired by your genuine heart to take care of your home and family and be practical about daily responsibilities. I need a little encourage in that department as I’m a mom of 2 and expecting another and will be staying home with all three soon! I’d like to do the challenge of 31 days to clean before the baby is born, so the sooner I can get that link to upload the book, the better! Thanks! 🙂
Sarah Mae says
Hi Bethany, 🙂
I got your email and a few others-I’ll get it to you ASAP! 🙂
Joy says
Excellent, Sarah Mae!! You are real, which is why you and this book is touching lives. Keep it up girlie!!
Blessings!
Margie says
I really really love this book! I have a super busy life and I love that I can do a little and it will add up to a lot! Plus I love the scripture, the quotes! I think I’ve posted about this book 2 or 3 times in the last week!!!!
Christie says
Sarah Mae – You are such an encouragement and you speak such truth. I pray for my heart to be as tender to God’s guidance as He has made yours to be.
Heathahlee says
After reading this post (and loving it!) it reminded me I need to go back and read through all of them for this week. It’s been a busy one for me…and right now my brain is so addled I’m surprised I remember my name! : )
Just so you know…I’m so proud of you for what you do. Not proud as in “Look at what Sarah Mae’s done!” But maybe the word should be thankful that you’ve allowed God to use you the way He has…and will continue to. MUAH!
Beth says
Thank you- this is a great post! My hubby and I came home from a two day 25th wedding anniversary late yesterday afternoon and what was the FIRST thing I did? Run the vacuum!! Leaving two young adult boys and one furry golden retriever behind for 48 hours necessitated me sucking up the contents of our rugs before I even unpacked. Before I knew it, I was pretty much into cleaning the whole house- fortunately it’s small, and the boys really DID do a good job in keeping it together while we were away – but after coming from a luxurious hotel room I felt I had to do this and then I could finally relax! lol
I really, really have to learn not to sweat the small stuff, or continually try to wipe one more counter or get one more dust bunny before I leave my house for work in the morning (cuz I make myself late).
Also, I find if I just wait until the sun is around the other side of the house, I don’t see all that I saw in the morning light!
Where did all the laughter go? « My life is like the shoes on my closet floor … says
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Kristine McGuire says
What better reason could there be—whether it’s keeping a clean house (which can be a challenge for some of us) and sharing your heart?
Sylvia says
When I first downloaded your ebook, I got stuck on the “why” – never got my “mission statement” done! I like the reboot, and I finally came up with a why… it’s still in progress, but I at least have something written:
First and foremost, I want to use my home for the glory of my Savior.
Secondly, I want it to look like my mother-in-law’s home, and to be as welcoming as hers, a haven of simplicity and hospitality.
I want my husband and my visiting children,
my grandchildren and other relatives,
our friends and angels unaware
to be comfortable in it.
This is my privilege.
and I love this quote you posted on Facebook the other day:
”Hospitality is the message you give a person about their value.” Phyllis Stanley
I’ve added that to my mission statement. 🙂
Thank you!
31 Days to Clean Reboot — A Pause to Consider says
[…] go check out what Sarah had to share and then consider sharing your own motivation. (function() {var s = […]