Diligence & Day Two: An Organized Coat Closet

Dear Blog, I'm giddy with excitement to start this challenge, but 1st a word search of "diligent" in the NIV & NKJ. The scriptures vary in the way the word diligent is used (ie. diligent worker, diligent to obey God, etc) but the MEANING of diligent of course stays the same, which btw is:
Webster-Miriam definition - characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking <a diligent worker>
Ok, so back to the word study... God has some pretty sweet rewards & benefits for diligent Christians! And because I love making a list, here are some of them:
Deut 28:1 ...diligently obey...God will set you high above all nations...
Prov 8:17 those who seek me diligently will find me.
Prov 10:4 ...diligent hands bring wealth.
Prov 12:24 Diligent hands will rule...
Prov 12:27 ...diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Prov 13:4 ...desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Prov 21:5 ...plans of the diligent lead to profit... 
This 1 jumped out to me, Prov 12:24 "Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." The 1st part gives me a picture of calm & in control with continuous purposeful motion while the last part sounds like me leaving chores to the last minute then scrambling, struggling, getting stressed out & angry! The other verse that spoke to me is Prov 12:26 & I love the way the NIRV puts it "Anyone who refuses to work doesn't even cook what he catches. But a man who works hard values what he has." Lord, forgive me for all your blessings (food, possessions etc) that I've wasted cause I couldn't be bothered to get off my butt & do some work!


Whew, lots to think over today! But now onto the challenge!!! So Day One: Organizing with a Purpose about the WHY of doing this challenge & is a good post to read. Kelly writes "Organizing is so much more than just stashing things in pretty baskets.  It's creating a space that nurtures and welcomes and sets us free to invite people into our homes and our lives." That is my heart in doing this challenge!


Day Two: An Organized Coat Closet
Here is the BEFORE pics of our entryway/coat closet. I had recently did a mini re-do of this area & had DH install the upper closet shelf plus the 4 backpack hooks under the window, but it needs to be finished AND you can see from the pics that my kids kindly brought up the boot/snowpant boxes for me to sort thru & put out. (yes, all the trim & closet doors are missing! I don't mind that DH has moved onto to more important jobs like finishing my bedroom etc!)

 It's kind of organizied but there is LOTS of room for improvement! Kelly's tips for this:

• Have less stuff than you have space for. Leave some space and hangers for your guests coats.
• Include hooks,shelves and baskets to make the most of the space.
• Use labels to ensure everything gets put where it belongs.  This is especially important for bins that are stored above eye level because you cannot see the contents and are more likely to place items in the wrong spot.
• Use matching hangers for a more tidy appearance.
• Use a sturdy bin to collect items that need to go to the car such as reusable shopping bags, library books to be returned or packages to be mailed.