~Chores: A New Perspective
A HOLY PRIVILEGE
There were three women together washing clothes. As they talked to one another, a stranger passed by. He asked what each one of the were doing. A reply from the first woman was that indeed she was washing her laundry. The reply from the second woman was that she was just simply doing her household chores. The response from the third lady was that she was doing what all mother do; and that was to do all that involved taking care of her family physically, spiritually, and emotionally. She considered "the washday" part of that "total picture" describing her duties as a mother. She was not just considering her work as a duty....but rather a "Holy Privilege".
ON HOUSEWORK
As I go about my housework Let me see each job I do,
HOMEFIRES
I gaze upon an unmade bed and see a tousled curly head
Be grateful for dirty dishes - it means you have food.
This site updated 17 NOVEMBER 2001
As a service for my King And a way of loving You.
Let me wash away my judgments Of others right or wrong,
As I wash up the dishes Place within my heart a song.
As I clean up little fingerprints And lots of muddy shoes,
May I remember how you cleaned the feet Of the loved ones you did choose.
As I mend up torn pajamas And sew a button on,
Show me where I need to mend a breech That's gone on far too long.
Let me tidy up my thoughts As I tidy up the toys,
Let me sweep away my fears Like the dirt from little boys.
May I be just as quick with my forgiveness As I am with mop and broom,
Sweeping up the clutter In my heart and living room.
May I rinse out pride and ego As I rinse the bathtub out,
And while we are at it Lord Let's take care of anger, hate and doubt.
Please remind me often Lord That the way I'm called to serve,
Is an honor given me And not below what I deserve.
You know Lord, as I look At all the work we need to do,
I think we'd better house clean At least each day or two.
With sparkling eyes and tiny hands that hold a mountain of demands
And then I look around to see ten messes staring back at me.
I'm tempted to sit down and cry but I'll wait until the towels dry.
I wander on from room to room with mop and rag and corn-husk broom
And finish just in time to find the dishes still a day behind.
I stand beside the kitchen sink and feel a need to stop and think.
I wonder why I labor so and wish that I could somehow know.
I feel another presence there and smooth my husband's tangled hair;
I breathe a sigh from deep within and match his soft good-morning grin.
And slowly I begin to see the Father's hand stretched out to me,
And notice in my loved-ones' eyes the simple truth to all the whys.
I have a Christian home to keep that's more than meals and floors to sweep;
More than laundry, tubs, and walls, more than rugs and tidy halls.
Making home a haven for my family is not a chore,
For they will see the Father's love in hands adorned with rubber gloves.
I can show His heart to them and turn their tender hearts to Him.
This home will shield us from the storm as I keep the Homefire's embers
warm.
Be grateful for laundry -- it means you have clothes.
Be grateful for cleaning the house -- it means you have shelter.
Be grateful for picking up after the husband and/or kids -- it means you have a family.
Be grateful for having to go grocery shopping -- it means you live in a place where you can choose a variety of foods and have the money by which to pay for it.
Be grateful for cleaning toilets --it means you have indoor plumbing.
......
Can you think of any other ones to add to this list? Be creative, silly or inspiring!