by Dr. Lorin Bradbury
Crime breeds in chaos. This is one of the tenets of the Broken Windows Theory. If you have a disorderly household, you have a greater likelihood of producing children with delinquent behaviors. There also is a tendency for increased levels of stress within chaotic households.
Some years ago, I challenged the people in the church I pastor with tangible steps toward orderliness. Once a week for twelve weeks, I provided one new task to bring order to their homes. I titled it God is a God of Order. Recently, someone asked me to again make these twelve tasks available. Begin implementing these and then write the Delta Discovery and let me know how it is working for you.
GOD IS A GOD OF ORDER
#1: Wash your dishes before going to bed.
#2: Clean up spills immediately.
#3: Make your bed upon rising.
#4: Put toys away after playing.
#5: Go to Bed at a reasonable hour.
#6: Keep your bathroom clean (Deuteronomy 23:13-14).
#7: Never leave piles of dirt on the floor—finish the job—put it in the garbage.
#8: Always arrive at church on time.
#9: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Dress holy; dress clean. As much as possible, keep your person clean.
#10: Maintain Personal Devotions.
#11: Eat at least one meal together each day (except when fasting).
#12: Pray with your children before they go to bed each night.
Lorin L. Bradbury, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Bethel. For appointments, he can be reached at 543-3266.
If you have questions that you would like Dr. Bradbury to answer in the Delta Discovery, please send them to The Delta Discovery, P.O. Box 1028, Bethel, AK 99559, or e-mail them to [email protected].
