The Ordinary Things

Yesterday's storm has passed, as expected. I never did figure out what it was that was bothering me. I just did a lot of praying and continued with my normal routine and today I feel better. Perhaps that's all I needed...a little re-focusing so that my day to day routine involved Jesus. It's nice when I find my thoughts drifting towards Him while doing what seems to me to be "ordinary things." Meals, dishes, and laundry are all necessary parts of my day, but they don't have to weigh down my spirit if I do them in love.

As I have mentioned before, some days I don't feel like doing the ordinary. Even on my worst days though, I'm glad to look back on the day and see what was accomplished. The way I look at it, I'm not just doing these things to take care of my children. I'm also setting an example for my children and enabling them to be responsible for themselves one day. That's why it's important to involve them in my chores and give them chores of their own.

Teaching them the skills is not the hard part. They are watching my attitude as well. Sometimes that can be a scary thought. I was watching my girls play house the other day and everything was "sweetie" this and "sweetie" that. I thought it was pretty cute. (I must call them sweetie a lot.) My point is, they pick up on my moods not only by what I say, but how I say it! All the more reason to do things with a cheerful heart!

I like the way the Message puts it in Philippians 2:14 - "Do everything readily and cheerfully, no bickering-no second guessing allowed!" From now on, there will be no second guessing about how important the "ordinary" things are in life for this mom. : )