Routine Chaos

We are a family of routines. Every Monday morning, I write the menu plan for the week, make a quart of yogurt, flake oats and grind flour for the week, and put together a batch of artisan bread for the week.

Every Tuesday morning, I ride my bike to the produce stand and the kids go to their performing arts classes. When we get home, we wash all of the produce and put it away, and every Tuesday evening we have grilled chicken salad and artisan bread for dinner.

Every Wednesday, we go to church, stopping at Aldi on the way to church and at Wal-Mart on the way home, and I make granola. And so on and so on and so on, all through the week.

You’re probably wondering how anyone could enjoy so much predictable sameness each week. Everything is so routine. And I praise God for these routines every week! These routines are what keep me even remotely sane amid the chaos that is our lives.

Every month, every week, every day brings something unexpected to shake up our lives. Last minute schedule changes, unpredictable oopses, and divine appointments can throw a nice quiet household into chaos. My husband is a self-employed building contractor. Everyday brings different challenges. I’m a freelance writer. Every article brings different challenges. Even our daughter, Colleen, has an unpredictable work schedule each week. Our routines bring a little order to all of that chaos.

Now, don’t start getting the idea that I’m addicted to straight lines and order like some of my dear friends. I can actually work just fine surrounded by a certain amount of chaos, which is a good thing since I add my own fair share of chaos to the mix. Think Renee Russo’s character in Yours, Mine and Ours. Her studio was wonderfully cluttered, and when her family cleaned it up, she couldn’t work anymore. That’s me. Too much order and I can’t work! However, even for me, our simple daily and weekly routines bring a degree of comfort and focus.

Thanks for stopping by! I like my life to balance, so the chaos and the routine balance each other out. What kinds of routines do you have in your home? Do they bring you comfort, or do they feel like constricting chains?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Betty

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