How Can You Manage a Household

Conclusion of CLEANLINESS-WHY SO IMPORTANT?

Consider another example. About 3, 500 years ago, God gave the nation of Israel his Law in order to organize their worship and, to a degree, their everyday life.  That Law helped to protect the nation from disease by putting in place some basic rules of hygiene. One such law had to do with the disposal of human waste, which had to be properly buried away from the camp so that the area where people lived would not be polluted.  (Deuteronomy 23:12, 13)  That ancient law is still good counsel. Even today people get sick and die because they do not follow it.

In harmony with the principle behind that Israelite law, the family's bathroom and toilet area-whether inside or outside the dwelling-should be kept clean and covered, flies will gather there and spread germs to other areas of the home-and onto the food we eat!  Further, children and adults should wash their hands after visiting this area. Otherwise, they bring germs back with them on their skin. According to a French doctor, hand washing "Is still one of the best guarantees for the prevention of certain digestive, respiratory, or skin infections."

True, cleanliness is a challenge in a poor neighborhood. One who is acquainted with such localities explained:  "The oppressively hot climate makes the work of cleaning doubly hard. Dust storms cover every crevice of a house with find brown powder. . . . Burgeoning populations in cities, as well as in some rural areas, also create health hazards. Open sewers, piles of uncollected garbage, filthy communal toilets, disease-carrying rats, cockroaches, and flies have become common sights."  

Maintaining cleanliness under these conditions is difficult.  Still, it worth the effort.  Soap and water  and a little extra work are cheaper than medicine and hospital bills. If you live in such an environment, as far as possible, keep your house and yard clean and free of animal droppings. If the path to your home tends to get muddy during rainy periods, could you put down gravel or stones to help keep mud out of the house?  If shoes or sandals are used, can these be removed  before the wearer  enters the home? Also, you must keep your water supply free from contamination. It is estimated that at least two million deaths a year are due to diseases associated with dirty water and poor sanitation. 

A clean home depends on everyone-mother, father, children, and visitors. One mother of eight children  in Kenya said:  "All have learned to do their part."  A clean, tidy home reflects well on the whole family. A Spanish proverb states:  "There is not conflict between poverty and cleanliness."  Whether one lives in a mansion, an apartment, a humble home, or shack, cleanliness  is a key to a healthier family. 

Next time: How Can You Manage a Household?/ ENCOURAGEMENT MAKES US FLOURISH

From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS