Spring Cleaning
OK, enough of the immigrant problem! I'll leave that to the politicians to figure out. I think I've expressed my outrage and ire at the unfairness of paying my fair share of taxes that end up paying for the services of those that do not pay, while my own parents, who worked and paid taxes all their adult lives, have to fight to get even the simplest of benefits. 'Nough said!
No, today my thoughts are much simpler. I was up before dawn this morning even though it's Saturday and I didn't have to be. I was restless and had a headache, so I got up, put the dog out and was grateful that the forecasted rain has held off for now. While drinking my tea, I watched the sun rise and produce a soft rainbow that quickly melted away. The cat jumped in my lap while I read Psalm 117: "O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord." So I sipped more tea and my thoughts wandered to how I will serve and praise Him today. That thought led to cleaning my home office, which has been sorely neglected for the last 4 months or so. I then questioned myself, "How does cleaning a room in the house bring any glory to God?" Then it was as if a light was turned on. Sometimes, it's the simplest things we do in a faithful and obedient and others-serving way that bring Him the most glory. Simply doing what is good and right, day in and day out is what He wants and needs from us. To serve my husband and family is my goal for today, second only to serving God. Thankfully, I believe that keeping the house in good order, clean, neat and efficient, serves my family AND my God at the same time.
When I first got married and we had three kids in three years, I was frustrated and tired all the time. I couldn't wait until they got big enough to change their own pants! Praise God that he gave me some moments when I was nursing a baby or rocking a child with a fever, that I could see clearly that this was why I was put here on earth and would give thanks for those moments while they were happening. Because He imprinted those special, soft moments with my kids, I can look back with tenderness to those days gone by. There are days when I wish I were back in that young woman's skin, when I watch one of them jump in the car and drive off to a date or a movie with friends, but mostly I savor my newfound time to reflect and reacquaint myself with that wonderful warrior I married so long ago. I can look forward to grandchildren -- someday. I can take long walks with him and not worry about leaving the kids alone. Yes, my kids still come home and want their Mom to cook mac 'n' cheese or just come up and say, "goodnight" sometimes. Most of the time, they only want to borrow my car, but sometimes they're still my babies.
Case in point: the other day, my daughter went for a shot at the doctor's office alone. I don't know if she'd ever gone before without her dad or me. She called me at work to let me know everything was OK like the young adult that she is. But for one brief moment when she was getting ready to hang up the phone, I saw my baby girl again when she said, "Mommy, I didn't cry…." These are the times when I know that my paycheck doesn't mean that much and my work is not who I am. This is when I know that being Mom to those kids is the most important thing I've ever done, even when the glamour isn't there and you're cleaning dirty bottoms and wiping runny noses, or as things go now, loaning $20 for gas and fixing a plate for the kid that won't be home until long after I'm in bed.
So now my pot of tea is drained and it's time to get dressed and attack this messy house. Time to serve this family the way God designed me to serve -- in the everyday, not so glamorous, humdrum role of house cleaner.
Have a great day in your own service to Him!
No, today my thoughts are much simpler. I was up before dawn this morning even though it's Saturday and I didn't have to be. I was restless and had a headache, so I got up, put the dog out and was grateful that the forecasted rain has held off for now. While drinking my tea, I watched the sun rise and produce a soft rainbow that quickly melted away. The cat jumped in my lap while I read Psalm 117: "O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord." So I sipped more tea and my thoughts wandered to how I will serve and praise Him today. That thought led to cleaning my home office, which has been sorely neglected for the last 4 months or so. I then questioned myself, "How does cleaning a room in the house bring any glory to God?" Then it was as if a light was turned on. Sometimes, it's the simplest things we do in a faithful and obedient and others-serving way that bring Him the most glory. Simply doing what is good and right, day in and day out is what He wants and needs from us. To serve my husband and family is my goal for today, second only to serving God. Thankfully, I believe that keeping the house in good order, clean, neat and efficient, serves my family AND my God at the same time.
When I first got married and we had three kids in three years, I was frustrated and tired all the time. I couldn't wait until they got big enough to change their own pants! Praise God that he gave me some moments when I was nursing a baby or rocking a child with a fever, that I could see clearly that this was why I was put here on earth and would give thanks for those moments while they were happening. Because He imprinted those special, soft moments with my kids, I can look back with tenderness to those days gone by. There are days when I wish I were back in that young woman's skin, when I watch one of them jump in the car and drive off to a date or a movie with friends, but mostly I savor my newfound time to reflect and reacquaint myself with that wonderful warrior I married so long ago. I can look forward to grandchildren -- someday. I can take long walks with him and not worry about leaving the kids alone. Yes, my kids still come home and want their Mom to cook mac 'n' cheese or just come up and say, "goodnight" sometimes. Most of the time, they only want to borrow my car, but sometimes they're still my babies.
Case in point: the other day, my daughter went for a shot at the doctor's office alone. I don't know if she'd ever gone before without her dad or me. She called me at work to let me know everything was OK like the young adult that she is. But for one brief moment when she was getting ready to hang up the phone, I saw my baby girl again when she said, "Mommy, I didn't cry…." These are the times when I know that my paycheck doesn't mean that much and my work is not who I am. This is when I know that being Mom to those kids is the most important thing I've ever done, even when the glamour isn't there and you're cleaning dirty bottoms and wiping runny noses, or as things go now, loaning $20 for gas and fixing a plate for the kid that won't be home until long after I'm in bed.
So now my pot of tea is drained and it's time to get dressed and attack this messy house. Time to serve this family the way God designed me to serve -- in the everyday, not so glamorous, humdrum role of house cleaner.
Have a great day in your own service to Him!
posted by Priscilla49 @ 9:25 AM
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