Better than Making Your Bed

When I was in grade school my dad came into my room to kiss me goodnight and found me lying on top of my covers, instead of under them. He asked why, and I told him I didn't want to make my bed the next morning. He told me he would do it for me if I would get under the covers.

I still remember that 50 years later. Partly because the moment continues to be a sweet reminder of my father. But partly because it shows my disdain for making my bed goes way back.

As soon as I became an adult, that habit stopped. Now let me say that I make my bed when visiting others, and having company to my house. I'm not an anal housekeeper, but I keep my kitchen clean, clothes washed, a general sense of order in my home. However I can see no real health benefit to making a bed, unlike keeping dishes and bathrooms clean.

I realize some people just love having a straight neat bed to return to at night. I'm kind of a still sleeper, so mine doesn't get very messy, I just don't go to the formality of smoothing it all out perfectly.

This week I read a blog by a Navy Seal saying it was really important to make your bed first thing in the morning. He said if you did that, you knew whatever happened that day, you did something right.

I agree with his logic, and all you who love making your beds, keep it up. However I can't say that for me, making my bed would redeem a bad day. I have other habits I do daily that can, chiefly starting my day reading my Bible and praying. That is a habit I can fall back on when everything else crashes.

So if you're a lover of neat beds, keep it up. Please don't judge me for not being. But either way, I hope you find some personal habits that can make even a bad day worth something. For me, it's starting with some God time.