Getting Clean
Friday, June 18, 2010 at 9:28AM So there's been this big push at church in the past year to join a "Connect Group." A Connect Group is a group of 10-20 people that meets once a week for 12 weeks for bible study, discussion and food. The 12 week commitment is minimal and ensures that you get to meet new people every rotation.
And also, that you don't get stuck with annoying people.
Don't judge - you know people annoy you too. You hate being stuck in groups with them just as much as I do. And I am well aware that I may, in fact, be the annoying person that other people are glad to not be stuck with.
I'm okay with that. It's just a fact. Sometimes people annoy you. Sometimes you annoy other people. Accept it and move on.
It seems like everyone at church has jumped on board with this program. Everyone but Rich and me. We nod and smile as people talk about how much they enjoy their Connect Groups and how God has really touched them through their Connect Groups.
We were happy for them. We really were. And we knew we should be signing up to join them, but:
1) Neither of us likes to leave our house.
2) Especially to talk with people we don't know.
3) OUR SCHEDULES ARE SO PACKED FULL OF KIDS' ACTIVITIES, WORK, AND RICH'S GUITAR PLAYING THAT WE HAVE TO PENCIL IN TIME TO BREATHE.
So we went through two sessions of not signing up for a Connect Group.
We are such rebels.
This spring though, as advertisements started up for summer session, we finally joined the movement. And we figured that as long as we were going to a meeting each week, we might as well lead it. That way we could avoid the whole "having to leave the house" aspect.
So far we've met with our group twice and we do indeed enjoy it very much. I am actually liking getting to know new people. And God is indeed touching us through this Connect Group time.
It's all it was advertised to be.
Just as important though, are the non-spiritual things I'm getting out of hosting a Connect Group in our home. For these reasons alone I would recommend doing it. Since signing up to host a Connect Group . . .
- I have gutted and cleaned all the bedrooms because I was afraid that somehow a guest would end up in one.
- The lawn has been mowed and beautified each week before the meeting starts.
- I cleared all the crud off the front porch because broken chalk, Hayden's stick collection, Faith's bike and 42 spider webs weren't terrible welcoming.
- I've been going through recipes, new and old, because I have an audience to make them for. This reminds me that I once liked cooking and baking.
- We cleaned out the storage room this week for the first time in YEARS. This is because last week, as we met with our group, nasty storm clouds gathered and the air got that tornado-ey feel to it. For the rest of group I had to struggle to concentrate on what people were saying because all I could think was "If these people have to gather in our storage room for a tornado warning I. Will. Die. Of. Embarrassment."
- One couple in our Connect Group has pre-school aged twins - a boy and a girl. They come along and Reagan watches them while we meet. THIS forced us to go through the play room this week and go through all the toys and clean the entire area.
I tell you what people. My house has not been this clean and organized WITH actual food prepared and ready to go all at the same time in possibly forever. And I have to do it each and every week. It's been the best possible thing for me.
Which should not be a surprise. I have learned time and again through the years that doing the right thing brings good results. It's a Duh.
So tell me this: why do I always avoid doing the right thing?
Reader Comments (14)
I know exactly what you mean! The EXACT same thing happened to me when we offered to host a home church in our house. Every week, like it or not, I HAD to be ready for 20 people. It formed some good habits. That was 7 years ago and I've slid back into not being ready for guests. I wish it would have stuck!
I don't know about you, but I usually don't because I'm lazy. Lazy lazy lazy.
Though I will often pick up junk before Tuesday nights w/my friends, so that's useful.
Yep, gonna have to go with Megan... mine is pure laziness. It's awesome that you've gotten this inspiration to do it right! I would love to be able to motivate myself to do that... I guess the fact that we're selling the house is my motivation now! You have urged me to get started, thanks!!!
In my case, it's because I'm lazy and it's the easiest thing! haha
I'm glad you're enjoying your Connect Group!
Missy Jill - Clearly a sign that you need to sign up to host something again. :)
Megan, Elizabeth and Chloe - Yep, I think you hit the nail on the head: Laziness. It's one of my primary characteristics!
I read all these motivating post and think... that's wonderful!! I'm gunna go work out, I'm going to start eating healthier, I'm going to take better care of my self, I'm going to clean my house.... and then I get home from work and I sit there. And then I sit there some more, and then I go to bed.
Good for you for joining and giving yourself motivation!
Oh, I get it...If I start a Connection Group my lawn might actually mowed. Wait. It's 98 F out there.
Heather - as cheesy as it sounds, I think everyone has to find their own motivation from within.
SUT - that's what husbands are for.
Well, my super annoying grandmother came to visit for a week in May. That motivated me to do some serious decluttering. Of course, in the last month it's all gotten cluttered again. I blame it on the man. He's messy... not me. :)
Marla @ www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com
I feel bad for bashing my Grammy. She's just is really uptight. And a neat freak. Like the worst one in the entire world. She once mopped six times in one day when we were all at her house for Christmas. I need to stop typing. Haha.
Marla @ www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com
I love our home group! I admit, sometimes it is hard to make ourselves go, but once we are there-love it!
i hosted a lented discussion group, and while our house wasn't nearly as spotless as yours sounds, it did ensure that our house was vacuumed, toilet scrubbed, and laundry put away once a week.
of course after having 10 people feast in our house, it was back to the messiest place in helsinki that evening, but for those 2 hours in between? lovely.
ps. favorite quote: For the rest of group I had to struggle to concentrate on what people were saying because all I could think was "If these people have to gather in our storage room for a tornado warning I. Will. Die. Of. Embarrassment."
There's nothing that makes me clean up more than the thought of company coming haha!
You know, our church is on a kick of encouraging us to join a summer Bible study group. And while I know the benefits for our spirituality, moral compass, and getting out of the house without the baby would be HUGE, we just haven't done it yet. I'm thinking maybe I'll join the fall one. Or the winter one. Or maybe NEXT summer's...
Shoot. I'm such a non-socializing procrastinator.
~ Katie
www.marriageconfessions.com