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When the Holy Spirit prompted me to write this devotional today, I had one of those cringing moments. My calling is to share my life through stories and look for God in the every day. I try to keep myself (and my own sins!) out of it for the most part (sorry Trey!).
But today, when this verse popped out at me, I knew it was time to air my dirty laundry, er, I mean, dishes. You see, I hate doing dishes. I mean, I REALLY hate it. When I was single, I would leave the dishes for... well, you don't need that much information. Just suffice it to say that my idea of satisfying work runs more along the lines of working out in the yard than in the house. Unfortunately for me, my husband's primary respect-language, is a neat, orderly home. Sigh. You see where this is going, don't you? Lately, God's been putting it on my heart (thanks so my husband's loving honesty) that I should have the kitchen neat and cleaned up when my husband comes home to work. Can I just say, I'm not some Suzie-homemaker, whipped, bare-feet-in-the-kitchen kind of wife. God created me a powerful, strong, brave, outspoken, truth-speaking woman. So don't go down that road that I'm turning into a doormat. Just sayin'. I'll confess, since it's just you, one reader, that I have a bad attitude about cleaning. A really bad attitude. In my mind, I need a wife of my own. But lately, as Tom's homecoming creeps closer, I get this compulsion to get that kitchen clean. And it ticks me off, because I hate doing it. So I've been saying a lot of 'Lord, please forgive my bad attitude, Please help me to put Tom's respect-language need before my own desire to _____ (fill in the blank).' The other day, I was doing the dishes, saying my prayer, and the following verse popped into my head: Whatsoever ye do, labour at it heartily, as [doing it] to the Lord, and not to men...Colossians 3:23 And it keeps coming back, those words echoing in my mind each time I begin to feel the grumblings coming on... And I'm fine now! I can do those dishes with a cheerful heart and a respectful attitude. Um... Okay, I'm working on it. What I AM fine about is the truth Jesus is teaching me: that each task I undertake, if I can keep my focus on my purpose, my goal of becoming like Jesus, I can look forward to a reward. See, the second part of the verse goes like this:"...since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:24 What's this inheritance he's talking about? I'm no bible scholar (if you are, and have good input on this, heck, chime in!), but my heart tells me that this inheritance is the gift of being like Jesus. Is there a task in your life that has you gritting your teeth? Today, be encouraged - over time, disciplining yourself to keep your relationship with Jesus at the forefront, any task becomes a catalyst that God can use to help change your attitude, your mindset, your focus - your life. To help you become more like Jesus. And isn't THAT ultimate goal, our purpose?
9 Comments
Holly Eisaman
1/27/2012 03:40:19 am
I have to laugh- I think your devotional was supposed to be seen by me. I think God was trying to show me its my attitude toward housework needs to be changed. I hate dishes and my hubby's words were"maybe you can tackle the kitchen today". On his to do list was the bathroom which I told him I could complete. When you clean the bathroom - you have a clean room for days. Kitchen seems to be the endless pit of dirty dishes and clutter.
Rosalyn
1/27/2012 07:31:14 am
Holly,
Emily
1/30/2012 11:20:03 pm
So many memories for me....resentment comes to mind. I used to think my husband had it lucky when he could go off to work and I was left in the kitchen with the kids and the mess. When I realized the stem of my discontent, I realized I was allowing a foothold into my life robbing me of the joy and peace that God intended for me. Resentment also clouded my ablity to see all the blessings He was giving me each day. It's all relative because I had very wealthy friends that could afford help and all the "toys, etc, (yet they still were unhappy and complained)", while others thought I was weathly, but I was comparing.myself to my rich friends. Instead of realizing I had the privilage to be at home, when many women had to work at a job and then come home to the laundry and dishes and.... oh, that must be so hard...my heart goes out to them! Anyway, I began to see that my husband's job required him to repeat the same tasks every day, driving an hour each way in bumper to bumper traffic, dealing with the politics of the work place, etc., YET, he did it everyday without complaining. He did it to put food on the table for me and my family, to pay the mortgage for the roof over my head and to pay for some of my hobbies that brought me pleasure. But the clincher for me from the Lord was....okay, whatever, you can go to work and get a job and pick up your kids and then do food shopping and then go home and make dinner and do dishes , etc. Me?? Work?? Well, did my husband have a choice?? When the Lord challenged me with those thoughts, I thot, "Please no, I don;'t want anyone else raising my children, I enjoy a little time to stop and have lunch with a friend or sister or my mother...when would I see them"? So from an older women who had a similar experience, I realised my focus was not on appreciating what I had but on what I didn't have and that robbed me of joy, peace and contentment which I believe is a strong part of the reward we recieve from our inheritance, along with eternal life, a relationship with God, who I can talk with anytime, and who gives me wisdom and conviction that guides me to make the right choices....., which inheriently gives me joy, peace and contentment. Isn't that what Jesus often says, "I come to bring you peace that you may have joy and rest in your spirit". He said,, "You will have tribulations but be of good "cheer" for I have over come the world." I also learned that Happiness does not come from without,, it comes from within. God did not put us on this earth to be happy, as our egos are convienced,....., but on the path of obedience we find happiness, and ultimately, peace and joy. Somehow, we believe the lie that we are put on this earth for our happiness. However, we are here to serve God by serving others. I think there is no greater prison then to just live for our own happiness, to just worry about myself and how happy I am. I have experienced that serving others and giving to others has no greater joy.
Heather
2/1/2012 03:00:31 am
Wow....that was definitely directed at me ;) Even the conversation afterwards ;) I also hate the dishes and the laundry! Uggh....there's only three of us and wow....where does it all come from. I also have had bad attitude thoughts of my husband and others, Yeah, he gets to go to work and just leave it all for me :( (though he does help quite a bit) Right before reading this, my devotion was entitle 7 Ways to Practice Peace. It's amazing when I accomplish my tasks of the day, how much better attitude is and how peaceful I truly am. I am so thankful for my husband allowing me to stay home and providing all we need. I'm thankful for my son and him being here today and healthy (well most of the time). But overall I'm thankful when I get distracted by nasty things or thoughts of the world, how our amazing God can direct carefully back to Him. Praise you God for how you work ;) Thanks for sharing Rosalyn!
Andrea
11/15/2012 12:51:36 pm
Wow! So I've had the worst attitude at work lately! I'm completely miserable! My managers upset me on a daily basis and I constantly feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick. It hit though, yesterday, that you know what...I'm not working for them! I'm working for Christ. No matter how "unfair" things may be in that office there is no excuse for my sour face. I feel so ashamed and I know I've let the Lord down so terribly. God is so gracious to me, yet I still grumble! May God forgive my soul and give me strength to become a better version of myself through Him. Thank you for this article! It was the first thing that came up for "God help me with my bad attitude." It was exactly what I needed to read. God is so just and pours out so much grace to his beloved. So blessed!!!
Rosalyn
11/16/2012 01:37:08 am
Andrea,
Rosalyn Price English
12/6/2020 06:44:08 pm
Hi Becky! Glad you found us! Leave a Reply. |
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