Last Night's Reading

We had an animated discussion after reading "The Mother At Home" last night. We're making enough headway to be finished with it soon, but last night's section on cleanliness (faithfulness in carrying at small duties) had us both in a tizzy trying to figure out what about it was a requirement of God. N

ow, given that I'm a very neat and tidy person and find myself cleaning just for fun, I wished heartily that someone would prove to me that "cleanliness is next to godliness." BUT, we just could not conclude that as Abbott does. I think he was stretching his faithfulness in all things just a tad and indulging my obsessive compulsive cleanliness unnecessarily. But, at least it was food for thought. I think that yes, it is helpful in my family that I keep things tidy and semi-organized to avoid mayhem. But, it doesn't elevate me to a higher level of spirituality because I think it's my duty. Of course, "whether then I eat or drink, or whatsoever I do, [I am to] do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). But I think that there should probably be a greater emphasis on spiritual training rather than keeping things clean. I don't want to spend disproportionate time cleaning and not emphasizing a close walk with God, seeking Him in all things. But that can be hard, because keeping things clean is like an addiction:) I don't want to wildly take this verse out of context, but I think of it like cleaning the outside of the cup first rather than the inside...obviously, this has nothing to do with cleaning physically, but I think of it that way, sometimes. Have I spent as much energy on trying to do what God wants me to do as I have on cleaning? Hopefully...

I'll upload pics soon.