At the Well - The Value of Housework

• Do you ever wish that you could keep something in your house clean for more than 2 minutes?
• Do you ever wonder why the kids can't keep their sticky hands off of the walls or their muddy shoes off of your newly mopped floor?
• Are you ever incredulous as to why your husband has to rifle through the neatly organized sock drawer looking for a pair of socks that were on top to begin with?

It is so easy as we attempt to keep our home to focus on the daily work that is there day in and day out. Today we are challenged to look beyond the chores that must be done around the house and look for the blessings and rewards of keeping a home.

The woman of the home is usually responsible for the bulk of the household tasks, the cooking, cleaning and maintaining of the home. What a lot of work and what a lot of responsibility, but oh, what a great opportunity to minister to our family!

How we view our daily chores can greatly affect our attitudes about our home. I know that no one "enjoys" housework, but if we begin to train our mind to be thankful as we do these chores, they become less of a burden and more of a blessing.

As I wash the never ending pile of clothes, I am thankful for a husband who has a job to go to, children who are active and healthy. As I prepare meals, I can reflect on the blessings of good health and hearty appetites. While keeping the house clean, I can create habits that will affect my children's view of cleanliness and order in the home. Remember, cleanliness is next to godliness!

Perhaps you can reflect on how many of your memories of home as a child center around the way the home ran. As children we learned the value of working at home by doing things in a comfortable, family routine. We learned what tasks had to be done growing up and then added our own flair and style of running a home once we got our own home. Now we can pass along these valuable life habits and work ethic to our children.

We can also pass along the most important part of work - the attitude of doing a good job. If we go about our day with grumbling or complaining, our family picks up on that. If work is done without complaining and is viewed as a part of daily life, a good work ethic is birthed in the hearts of our children. Letting them know that work is a part of daily life and it is to their advantage to do the best they can do is a trait that will always be an asset to them. Of course this will not always go over well and you may hear the complaints of "all we ever do is work" or "I have to do EVERYTHING" from them, but a consistently positive attitude of doing a good job will impact them in the long run.

When we look past the dirt and dig in to keep a tidy house and instill a positive attitude towards our work, we can be reminded that our work is not in vain, but is part of cultivating a heart of worship and obedience to the Lord.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17