The Tension of Tidy: Uncovering God's Perfect Grace for Your Imperfect Space

by Hilary Bernstein

Overview

"Hilary's compassionate heart for homemakers . . . shines through the pages of this book." —Erin Odom, founder of The Humbled Homemaker® and author of More Than Just Making It

Dear homemakers, your home being messy doesn't mean you're failing. You're human. And you're not alone. If you're drowning in the stress of motherhood, people—pleasing, or social media's standards, The Tension of Tidy gently reminds you that your worth isn't measured by your home's tidiness. What you really need isn't another checklist system but rather a reminder of God’s grace.

Author and mom Hilary Bernstein knows the tension firsthand, and she offers you a refreshing perspective: often the messy moments are exactly what God is using to sanctify us. Inside you’ll find

• Scripture quotations directly from Psalms,
• "Tension Tamers" to ease your stress, and
• personal anecdotes from the author.

The Tension of Tidy isn't another how—to on housekeeping. Whether you're knee—deep in laundry or buried beneath expectations, Hilary's devotional reflections will meet you right where you are. Peace doesn't come from finally getting the house clean but from trusting the One who holds all things together.

"Are you longing for a peaceful, tidy home? Hilary shares how to best accomplish this with true rest and beauty." —Jami Balmet, creator of Finding Joy in Your Home and author of the Finding Joy in Your Kitchen cookbook series

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825448720
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	01/28/2025
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Hilary Bernstein is the women's ministry director at The Chapel in Green, Ohio, where she brings a wealth of experience from her roles as a blogger, newspaper editor, and columnist. A prolific author, Hilary has recently published Prayerful Living and twelve other impactful devotional books.

Editorial Reviews

Hilary's compassionate heart for homemakers who are living in the tension of keeping a tidy home while trying to maintain an eternal perspective shines through the pages of this book. Hilary's words—and, more importantly, the Scripture she weaves throughout this book—will be a balm to every tired homemaker who has struggled with feeling like she just can't keep things tidy.

Erin Odom

As a homeschooling, work—from—home mom of three, I resonate with the struggle of wanting to keep a tidy house but always falling short. This book is a gift to all those like me. It holds out freedom and joy to women who've strived not only to have a tidy house but to present a tidy, perfect life to those around us. Hilary reminds us what truly matters in The Tension of Tidy.

Christie Thomas

In the nitty—gritty of our everyday lives, The Tension of Tidy helps us recognize this difficult but undeniable truth: perfectionism equals grace rejection. Through Scripture and story, Hilary serves as our candid—yet—kind guide to receiving and resting in God's comfort—in our homes, our hearts, and our relationships.

Cheri Gregory

As Christian women, we dwell in an in—between land. On the one hand, we desire our homes to be a place of rest and rejuvenation for our family, filled with peaceful and beautiful things. On the other hand, we can struggle with idolizing the perfect home and chasing after the Instagram—worthy house of our dreams that's just too far out of our budget. Hilary gets straight to the heart of this tightrope walk with relatable stories, biblical wisdom, and godly advice. Are you longing for a peaceful, tidy home? Hilary shares how to best accomplish this with true rest and beauty.

Jami Balmet

The description of Hilary's college dorm room captured my attention, and I plunged in to read more about this burden—filled journey we call perfection. Her passion to direct women to the Lord and his written Word is evident, allowing her readers to recognize there is genuine freedom in Christ. The Tension Tamers at the end of each chapter provide an opportunity for the practical application of God's Truth to our hearts and lives.

Brenda McCord

Most every woman deals daily with tension caused by the demands and expectations of home, work, family, and just living life! But warmly—with relatable anecdotes, practical inspiration, and biblical encouragement—Hilary Bernstein guides us to take all that tension we're so good at clenching and release it to our grace— and peace— and joy—giving heavenly Father.

JoAnne Simmons