How to enjoy your chores this week

I admit to being a type of neat freak. I hate clutter, dirty dishes, dirty clothes, and dirty bedrooms (just ask my kids about that one!). Some days I wake up and just wish I didnt have to do any chores, and daydream about the sweet idea of a magic chore-fairy visiting my home.

I often feel like I live in my laundry room, and have even considered putting a television in there. No matter how many times I load the dishwasher, the sink always seem to be full of dirty dishes. I hear the words “whats for dinner” every afternoon, sometimes even before lunch. The carpet always needs vacuuming, the shoes always need to be picked up, the bookbags are always scattered everywhere, and the mud from outside always seems to get tracked in, right after I mop and wax the kitchen floor, of course.

I guess if I focused on the daily chores all the time, I would end up a very grumpy camper, but usually I just operate in autopilot mode and keep plugging along.

However, there are “those days”, when my autopilot shuts off and my not-so-wonderful-chore-frustrated-nobody-ever-helps-me-do-anything-around-here mood seems to overtake my personality. Not a good day, I promise you.

Recently my sister forwarded me an email about our daily chores, and a different way to look at them. I typically delete any email that looks like it has made its way around the world twice and is now just making it to my inbox, but this one made me stop and think.

So I want to share it with you today. It gives light to a new perspective about how we should really look at life, instead of only through the eyes of a tired super-mom.

My prayer for this week is that I will remember to pray these short, little prayers each day, instead of focusing on the overload of mommy duty. Each day holds a certain challenge for me, and I hope God will use these prayers to mold me and shape me into a chore-champion!

Monday is WashDay
.
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility Through the week ahead.

Tuesday is Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years, so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday is Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday is Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday is Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday is Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday is The Lord’s Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the Rest of my life in your presence.

Lets get to work! Are you with me?!

4 Comments

  1. Joyful on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Tracie, I think the doing of those weekly chores could prove to be just as difficult, but so needed as we desire clean homes, but God desires clean hearts. Man looks at the outward appearance…the Lord looks at hidden, deeper dirt.

    Thanks for sharing these daily challenges.

    Blessings,
    Joy



  2. Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 4:23 am

    I am a neat freak also…and it is a daily challenge. Hope you will stop by my blog. I am a new blogger, that has a lot to learn. This is my second month in the world of BLOG. I have a great give away this month. This drawing will be the last day of April. Just leave a comment and you are in the drawing.
    This NEW blogger was so touched by all the comments I received on the Blog Party (over 300). I have decided to make this a monthly GIFT… I so loved reading every comment.
    In May, there will be some fun blogs coming from Disney World. I hope to blog every night, in case you like a good trip report. There will also be a Disney giveaway. I am so thankful for all my new friends.



  3. Sandra David on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Keep on Tracie the lord is your strength and my strength and everybody’s strength.



  4. The Kahler Family on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    What a great “chore” list!
    That may end up being more difficult than the actual chores themselves, just because our hearts tend to wander to the “Why can’t they turn their socks right-side out and empty their pockets before throwing their clothes into the laundry?”
    I know you weren’t asking, but I’m a complete neat freak also and I have a hard time with feeling down and disgusting if my home isn’t in order (my home is kind of like my hair… let it go and I don’t feel my best!). I came across “Fly Lady” a while ago, a friend introduced me to her. She has a website flylady.net and she wrote a book “Sink Reflections” that really helped me to stay on top of things!
    I loved your devotion from today!
    Angie in AZ



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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