Housework and Thankfulness

This past week I went to a ladies' Bible study and we got on the topic of cleaning the house and discussing what our motives for accomplishing a clean house are. Are we just wanting to clean up so that no one will say something negative? Do we clean because we want to impress or be praised?

As women shared various thoughts I began to think about how I learned to do housework growing up. My mother instilled in us at a young age that cleaning is something to be thankful for. I remember her telling us on many occasions, "Be thankful that you have food to eat and dishes to wash. Many people are not so blessed." In fact we used to have a little poem posted up near the kitchen sink where we could see it as we worked. It read:

Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a story to tell
While others may be hungry, we are eating very well
With home, health, and happiness, I shouldn't want to fuss
By this great stack of evidence, God's been very good to us.

I remember my mom saying that while you wash the dishes and fold the laundry you have a very good opportunity to pray. We also learned the Bible verse in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that shows what attitude we are to have in all things:

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

So we do not clean and mop because it is the drudgery that just has to be done. We clean our homes for God's glory. Keeping a proper attitude of thankfulness will make it so much more enjoyable to do our housework. Imagine how much more others will be blessed. Especially our families who see how we do the work that we do. If it is with a grudging heart, they can see it. If it is with cheerfulness and a smile, they will see that too, and that is what our children will learn.

I am so thankful for these great lessons that my mother taught us. These are the things I want to teach to my children too.