Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “Cleaning the house when children are growing is like shoveling the walk while it’s still snowing.”

So true. Productivity often feels elusive as a stay-at-home mom. Just when I get the crumbs beneath the table swept up, it’s time to serve up another meal and do it all over again. Unwelcome housework lurks around nearly every corner, and procrastination tempts me.

So, I’ve been reading about biblical productivity on a C.J. Mahaney blog series this week, and I wanted to share this quote that Mahaney keeps at his desk:

“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”

-Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910, Scottish preacher)

Mahaney’s blog series discusses the theology of work – fulfilling one’s God-designed role in life. He distinguishes busyness from fruitfulness. He says our roles are “divine Post-It notes” that God has called us to fulfill specific goals.  Biblical productivity, he says, depends on a schedule, which depends on clear goals, which depends on clearly defined roles. Of course! He directs readers to (1) define your present God-given roles, (2) determine specific, theologically informed goals, and (3) transfer these goals into your schedule.

I’m not completely finished with this assignment yet, but I’m not procrastinating, I promise! Mahaney’s biblical productivity blog series isn’t finished yet either, so I’ve gone almost as far as I can go for now. The series is somewhat lengthy, but it’s really worthwhile. Check it out at

http://sovereigngraceministries.com/Blog/post/Biblical-Productivity.aspx

In closing, here’s another great quote before I hit the pillow.

“It is sweet falling asleep knowing we have redeemed the time.”

-C.J. Mahaney