Prayer of a Homemaker
Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those
unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable
last night. I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for the bathroom,
complete with all the splattered mirrors,
soggy grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
they are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator
that needs defrosting so badly; it has served
faithfully for many years. It is full of cold
drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely
must be cleaned today; it has baked so many things
over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass
that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking...
we all enjoy the yard.
Thank you Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me
says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do
them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when
the alarm rings, Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the
morning light as long as possible, thank you , Lord,
that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when
socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short,
my children are so loud, thank you Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like
Martha Stewart's and the menu is at times not balanced,
thank you, Lord for the food we have. There are many
who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.
There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day
and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you,
Lord, for life.
> And all God's people say...Amen!
