Have you ever felt like you’re drowning in household chores? Or maybe you’re intimidated to invite people into your home because you don’t even know where to start to get on top of the chaos?

Here’s the deal….our homes, like our bodies, are a gift from the Lord and we are called to steward them well and use them to serve others.  Caring for our homes, maintaining a sense of cleanliness and order, is a way to steward the gift that is so sweetly given to us…but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy or fun!

Hospitality is one way we live out the gospel. Bringing neighbors, friends, strangers into our homes offers them a moment of refuge and light in a very dark world. When we hesitate to open our doors because we are overwhelmed by our own clutter and chaos, we are missing out on an incredible opportunity to live out the gospel around our tables.

1 Peter 4:8–9 says, “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another.”

So here are some practical tips from how our busy family stays on top of our household chores so we are never overwhelmed by the mess, and we are always excited to welcome others in!

1.Clean the kitchen. Go to bed with a clean kitchen every night. If you have a dishwasher, load it up and run it before you close down for the night. Clear and wipe down your counters and tables, and put away any items on the counter. If you don’t have a dishwasher, hand wash your dishes. The biggest key here is: do not ever leave dirty dishes in the sink!! When you wake up in the morning, unload the dishwasher or put away any dishes that were left out to dry the night before. You will be SO happy when you walk into your kitchen each morning to see an empty sink and clean counters….I promise!!

2. Clear the clutter. Start a timer, grab the whole family, and before you head up to bed, clear ALL clutter in the house. This includes: putting shoes where they belong, hanging up backpacks/work bags, going through the mail and recycling or filing (don’t let it stack up!!!), put toys where they belong. (and yes, take everything off the stairs that gets put there to take up and ignored for days on end)

3. Sweep the floors. I don’t know about you, but our floors always have a nice coating of crumbs and dog hair at the end of the day! After dinner, one of us grabs our cordless vacuum and does a quick sweep of the house – leaving the floors clean!

4. Run the laundry. For our family of 5, I have a full load of laundry by the end of the day! To keep us from getting lost in the laundry, I do a load each day, fold it and put it away. Recruit your family members to help and put their own clothes where they belong. If you have a smaller family or live alone, figure out a schedule that works for you to stay on top of your laundry!

5. Make the beds. For some reason, this one always has the most controversy when I suggest it! Having a made bed sets the stage for keeping things just a little more clutter-free. When your bed is a mess, it doesn’t bother you as much to throw dirty clothes on the floor, or the shirt you decided not to wear, right? Get in the habit of making your bed each morning to set the stage for a great day. Even my 3 year old makes her own bed!

My greatest desire for you is not to create a fortress of solitude and a Pinterest-worthy home, it is for you to practice hospitality around your table often and freely. The JOY and freedom you will find in welcoming others in will truly transform your life and family.

How does your family stay on top of household chores? Which tip will you try first to stay on top of your household chores?

Leah is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mama of 3 in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about teaching families to live healthy, whole lives with their doors wide open to share Jesus with their neighbors. You can find her on her website and Instagram.

Thank you for reading this week’s RevTip on the Revelation Wellness Blog! We have a NEW MEETUP launching on September 28th! This Meetup is about Faith, Food, and the Gut-Brain Connection! Find a Revelation Wellness Instructor hosting a Meetup NEAR YOU!