Tuesday, October 19, 2010

"Do you think the Lord put me here to clean up after you???"



Is this all I'm good for? Cleaning toilets and making lunches, and doing laundry? Really??

Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever feel like no one appreciates the things you do to keep your home running smoothly? You spend all day washing and folding clothes, and all you hear is "why didn't you do my pink shirt?"
or maybe this one:
You spend an hour and a half fixing lasagna and fresh bread for your family and your son says "But, I wanted hot dogs!"
What is your first thought when this happens?
"HOT DOGS!!!! I'LL SHOW YOU HOT DOGS!!"
Unfortunately, this is often my first thought. But of course, that is not the right attitude. We can explain to our children at this point that we worked hard to make a nice dinner to nourish their bodies, and share some special time together. We can use it as a teaching opportunity.

...Too bad they have to be taught, right? Wouldn't it be nice if they came to the table and said "Mother, you have made us a splendid dinner, thank you for all that you do."

Holy cow. I'd probably fall out of my chair.

If your children and husband are anything like mine, that is not how it goes. So, I go through my day feeling unappreciated and undervalued.
However, that is where I make my mistake. I am not unappreciated, and I am not undervalued. I am a treasure in the eyes of God the Father. He sees all that I do for my family, for His family. He sees me caring for His children and training them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).
If I can keep my heart in the right place, I'll know that God is in the laundry, and He is in the lasagna. I am doing His work by feeding my family healthy food, and caring for their home.
If I can keep that in mind, I won't feel quite so bad. Then maybe, just maybe...I'll make hot dogs tomorrow.


6 comments:

  1. Great post Leslie, I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i totally understand. your blog is lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. haha I like this post!

    My husband is always trying to teach our little girls to be thankful and appreciative on my work, they are still little so maybe I have hope for them LOL But am very thankful for a husband that LOVE being serve :-)

    Self sacrifice is never unseen by God, as your motive and your heart, so remember Psalm 139 :23-24 "test me O Lord and know my heart, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way everlasting"

    Blessing
    Mrs Stam

    ReplyDelete