The Tension of Tidy - by Hilary Bernstein (Paperback)

About the Book

"Discover peace in imperfection through God's grace. Busy moms trying to juggle work and family life need a resource to gently remind them that their homes don't need to look like the perfectly staged spaces they see on TV and social media. God's grace abounds, including in homemaking. With a biblical viewpoint, Hilary Bernstein assures readers that it's possible to ease the tensions that arise from maintaining a comfortable home. The Tension of Tidy invites readers to reflect on the Psalms and allow God to shape their perspective about their homes. Rather than continuing to run on the hamster wheel of the world's changing trends and expectations, readers will realize that life can be a balance of work and rest fueled by God's unchanging grace. As a women's ministry director, Hilary Bernstein provides a valuable perspective through relatable topics, action steps, practical and biblical teaching, and a realistic approach to keeping the home tidy. At the end of each chapter, readers will find encouragement with "Tension Tamers" that offer thoughtful questions or gentle pushes to make changes in how we deal with our own imperfections"--

Book Synopsis

"Hilary's compassionate heart for homemakers . . . shines through the pages of this book."
--Erin Odom, founder of thehumbledhomemaker.com and author of More Than Just Making It

Are you feeling the pressure to keep your home looking picture-perfect amid the chaos of work and family life? Well, take a deep breath, because Hilary Bernstein has a message just for you. In The Tension of Tidy, she gently reminds you that your home doesn't need to mirror the flawless spaces seen on TV or social media. With a comforting biblical perspective, Hilary assures that God's grace extends to your homemaking journey.

Instead of encouraging the chase after elusive perfection, The Tension of Tidy invites you to pause and reflect on the Psalms, allowing God to reshape your outlook on homemaking and say goodbye to the constant pressure of keeping up with ever-changing trends and expectations. With these Scriptures, you'll discover that life can find a beautiful balance between productivity and rest, all fueled by God's unwavering grace.

Drawing from her experience as a women's ministry director, Hilary offers practical advice, relatable anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, and action steps to help you maintain a tidy home without losing your sanity. You can let go of the stress and embrace the grace-filled journey of homemaking.

"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
"This book . . . 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, author of Little Habits, Big Faith

Review Quotes

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, author of Little Habits, Big Faith (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

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, creator of Finding Joy in Your Home and author (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

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, founder of thehumbledhomemaker.com and author (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

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, coauthor of You Don't Have to Try So Hard and Overwhelmed (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

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, author of The Overthinker's Devotional (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)

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, founder of Discover God's Truth Ministries (6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM)