Everybody's Working for the Weekend

Most of us, whether we have a paying job or not, spend quite a bit of time every day working. Even the first person in history wasn't immune from having to work. About as soon as he arrived in the Garden of Eden, Adam was charged with taking care of it. The Bible doesn't say what his attitude about work was, but I can't imagine him sighing heavily as he prunes the trees, wiping sweat from his brow, complaining to Eve that he just needs a break and a cold drink in the shade.

Fast-forward many thousands of years later, to my daughters. It must be tough to be nine and have your parents realize that you are now capable of taking on more and more household chores. The latest one that my husband and I added to their poor burdened lives is cleaning the litter box. Though they adore our cats, they do not adore this new job. We encourage them to head upstairs and get started. They grab some scratch paper and draw out their feelings for us to see.

We all have a good laugh, then send them upstairs to get the job done. One more drawing, and the slow walk of dread begins.

I wish they would just do their jobs without complaining about it.

But I don't do that myself.

I get so tired of doing the same things over and over... laundry, cleaning, making lunches, getting up early every day and getting ready for work. Planning meals. You know how it is.

And a lot of times my attitude kind of stinks, like the faces in the line drawings my kids did. I'm pretty sure it doesn't bless my family when I'm whining about making dinner.

That's why I'm drawn to Colossians 3:23(NIV):  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Whatever I am called to do, I want to serve wholeheartedly. Lord, please forgive my attitude towards the things that I don't enjoy doing. Help me to see how those things can be a blessing to those around me. Help me to serve uncomplainingly and to find joy in that service.