I found myself praying specifically for one person this morning. I found myself saying, Lord, please be there for this person. Then I caught myself. Of course God is there. He’s always there.

So I changed my prayer around and prayed that this person would find God through her circumstance. That God would become real to her!

I’ve prayed that myself many times.

I was recently challenged by a reader’s comment, asking me what I do when life gets me down, or I get caught up in the aspects of being a wife and mother.

Will you address in a future post what you do to get yourself out of homemaking doldrums and back into the spirit of a keeper of the home? Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the many tasks of homemaking and the whole thing starts to feel boring and/or overwhelming. What can we do to kick start ourselves into being excited over our callings as homemakers?

What is mundane? Repetitiveness of any household chores! The feeling that I just did the dishes 4 hours ago or I just vacuumed the floors day before yesterday and now they need it again. I’d say every woman knows what mundane is!

I rarely find myself in the doldrums, because I keep a pretty active life, with working from home and keeping up with 3 active kids and a busy husband. But when my children were younger, I definitely found it easier to find it all “mundane.” And most of you who have visited my home, know that I do not have a perfect house. I have given many women permission to not be perfect, simply by inviting them through my front doors!

So out of these few tips that I have found to be helpful in my life, I bet one or two may resonate with you?

Change your Routine
I’m a big believer in exercise. It makes me a more cheerful mom and wife, and of course is essential for my health. If you are in a rut, get out! Change your routine up a bit! Find a friend to do something different physically, and make a change. I have running partners that I am so thankful for. But I’m adding in a new “hill climb” walk on Wednesday mornings with a friend I’ve never exercised with. I’m so looking forward to our time together!

Read Something Inspiring
I’ve always encouraged women to start their day off in the Word or something inspiring. One time when I was really down in the dumps, I went through Beth Moore’s Get Out of that Pit book. It was a personal study that helped me get out of the pit I was in, and back into the land of the living. Seriously, for that season in my life, God changed my life! Starting my day off with inspiration always changes my attitude and gets me going in the right direction for the day.

Look for a Need
When I have found myself down, it’s a sure sign that I am not giving myself away to others. I am constantly looking for ways to offer help or to be there for others, when my schedule allows. Just today I picked a kindergartener up from school to help out his parents. It was 30 minutes out of my day that was actually fun as we went to Wendy’s together and ate lunch. And little Perry is old enough to find Legos and toys around my house and to just “hang” while I get my work done.

Find Someone to Encourage
There is always someone who could use a listening ear. Or perhaps someone who comes to your mind who you could visit, help, or even send a note in the mail to. With today’s technology, how about sending a quick email? Or if you are a blogger, send a positive comment or note? I have received so many positive comments regarding my blog. And I don’t take them lightly – I am grateful for the encouragement that I receive.

Give to Someone
How about finding a family that you know is struggling and take them a meal – just because? Or drop off a loaf of bread, jam, or even something you’ve picked up from the grocery store to them? You can always send a care package in the mail to friends or college students. Or if you have a lot of time, give the gift of time! I struggle with giving the gift of time because I am in the busiest season of my life right now. I recognize it and I embrace it. I will keep my family as priority and not get side-tracked. But I still look for ways to give. (Above photo: Our friend Vicky blessed our family last night w/2 loaves of home baked bread – amazing!)

Change Up Your Cooking
Try some new recipes! Don’t overcomplicate things by getting overwhelmed. When I go to the store I have a few meals planned in my mind. I always cook enough for leftovers (meat), and then I make a meal from that. Make up extra meals and freeze for the days that you don’t feel like cooking. It’s okay to occasionally put a frozen pizza in the oven and to make a salad, or to make grilled cheese and tomato soup, or even breakfast for dinner! Or swap a main dish with a friend like I recently did (here). I just don’t stress over cooking – and neither should you! (Tacos from last night’s dinner!)

Don’t Procrastinate
Remember it doesn’t take great intellect to do housework. It takes great care, to do it well, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to scrub floors and mix bread and such and so on. I’ve found that getting in there and just getting it done – fast – really helps. Turn on music, put your IPOD in your pocket, and make a goal of how fast you can get the chore done, but just DO IT! Procrastinating just robs you of productivity! Keep the spiritual meaning to it, remind yourself that’s there’s a greater purpose for it, and try to keep a positive attitude. I always tell myself, I am doing this for my family!

Schedule a Date
If you are married, schedule a date night with your honey! Having a dinner out is definitely something to look forward to. Trade babysitting with another family and work on keeping your marriage alive! I had to learn how to prioritize this, and then it became essential for my marriage. I remember the days when my kids were little and I knew I had a date night with my husband – I couldn’t wait! If you are single, schedule a dinner or a movie out with a friend. It’s still good to get out and change the routine.

Changing things up a bit can help you get out of the mundane and back into the land of the living.

And changing things up a bit can also help get my eyes off of myself and on to others and God.

Yes, it’s possible to find God in the mundane – to be reminded of His blessings to us in our home lives, and to have the privilege of caring for what He has given us. It just takes a little effort on our parts.

Do you struggle with the “mundane?”

(I received a call from my friend Roger that “the apples are ready!” (very top photo). I went to his house and loaded up the back of my suburban with delicious apples. For sure I will make apple butter (recipe – here), but I may try something new this year – like “Apple Pie in a Jar!” More to follow on the apples …)