Any book with a title “Chaos to Order” has me intrigued. Malia Russell has written a little gem of a book here with 25 tools to bring “order” to our chaotic lives.
She presents a formula on the first pages. I’ll admit I’m not much of a formula gal, but THIS made sense to me!!
Chaos
– Distractions
– Decisions
÷ Delegation
+ Goals
x Spiritual Disciplines
=
ORDER
The chapters are broken up as the formula. In the Distraction chapter, Malia takes on such things as driving, calendars, telephone, and my personal favorite, ‘anything with a plug.’ She offers practical advice on how to take the inevitable distractions and move into a more peaceful and productive home life. Her practical approach, breaking each area down and offering simple solutions will help even the most organized out there. I walked away with SEVERAL tips!
Another neat component to this book came at the end of each chapter. Malia offers websites, and resources that she personally recommends to help guide us from chaos to order.
The chapter on Delegation begins with this fitting verse:
"You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone." Exodus 18:18
We often resist delegating, thus adding to our own chaos. Malia offers sound advice on incorporating your children into the “family order plan.” She includes ideas such as rotating “tasks.” For example the “office manager” handles getting the mail, and taking out the trash. Creativity is key for exciting young children. If you can drum up enthusiasm, order will follow!!
The chapters that follow include setting goals, both long and short, for the family, followed by spiritual discipline. With the addition of the tools in these chapters, the family will have a “map” of where they see themselves in both the short term and down the road a way.
The advice is practical and relevant. It’s a refreshing, easy read that will have you highlighting all the way along. I’ll be running along now, it’s time to bring some ORDER to the place!
In addition to the book Chaos to Order, Malia has a website for homemakers. Visit her at Homemaking 911
3 comments:
God must be trying to say something to me. Last night, I picked up two books that have been sitting half-read for months. Elizabeth George's "A Woman After God's Own Heart." I flipped it open to where I thought I'd left off. It was two chapters on creating order from chaos.
As my science enrichment class left, for the last time Monday afternoon, I thought, "I'll never have to clean again."
Hmmm...maybe I should rethink that.
What a catchy title. Sounds like a very wonderful book.
Sold! That sounds like just what the doctor ordered for me!
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