Reverse-Engineered Housekeeping

I'll start this post by saying that it's directed mainly at Chrisitan men.

I often have a hard time with Biblical mandates such as "loving my wife as Christ loved the church" (Eph 5:25) and "looking not on my own things, but on the things of others" (Phil 2:4) . And yet, I am currently at a place where doing so is vital. My wife is scheduled for a C-section in two days for our second child. There is a need for me to take care of a lot of the housework. I can't say I'm enthusiastically jumping into that. We both have our own ways of doing things, and if I don't do them her way she can let me know what she thinks very quickly.

The other night I had a lot of clothes to put away, most of which were either hers or our son's. I offerred to do it, and she quickly told me I'd do it wrong. I told her that if she is going to tell me that I need to help then she is going to have to stand back and let me help.

Rather than rush though doing it my way, I tried somthing new. I reverse engineered her system of folding and storing clothes. I actually managed to get the baby clothes put away in a manner that she could be pleased with.

I know this will sound silly on the surface, and if it does to you then please continue on to other blogs. But if you're looking for a way to do something nice for your wife, and this idea resonates with you, then give it a shot.

Welcome to my new blog

I decided to start this blog in order to remain focused. I have another blog: http://emuelle1.blogspot.com, which is more of a socio/political commentary. I recently read an article about blogging, and realized that we all do have our own expertise that someone else might actually be interested in.

I thought about changing my theme to famliy life, or to technology, but then it hit me what I might want to concentrate on. As I write this, my wife and I have a one year old and another child due any moment now. My wife stays home and I have a full time job. I have a really big computer hobby, I'm active with church, and I have a few volunteer activities I enjoy. I don't get out much, but I have a few friends I like to get together with now and again. None of these things work together, and yet they're all pretty vital to who I am. I admit that I wouldn't miss work very much, but it is important at this time. On top of all this, my wife and I both have to deal with our respective families. I'm taking distance learning classes at a Bible college. I'm sure by now that you understand, I can't do it all and yet it all must get done.

Now, when all the elements of my life come together it is often like mixing matter and anti-matter. On top of it all, I am a Christian, and I'm trying to take my commitment to Jesus Christ seriously, yet all too often I realize too late that I've blown it.

I realized that someone else might be in the same boat. Maybe you have a new family, and you're having a hard time putting it all together, especially while you're trying to follow Christ. I haven't found much useful advice on the internet, so I figure maybe I'll start putting it up myself. I've also learned from teaching a class in church that placing yourself in the public eye presents you with accountability.

I pray that some fruitful information will make it onto this page, and that families will be blessed by it.