Job 7:1
Job spoke, saying:
Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?
During a conversation with my good friend Kaye, I told her, “I just have better things to do than clean my house.”
And now, I’ve embarrassed my grandmother to death with that remark.(and reminded Kaye of how cluttered my house can be!)
I’ve never been one of those women who just love cleaning house. Sure, I love it when my house is clean, but I can always find so many other things to do to occupy my time. Like reading …. or teaching Rachel to read, and reading books to the boys. Teaching Rachel to write, or expressing my creative side with my own written words. Running, and enjoying the fresh clean air … although with the ever growing belly, that’s a challenge these days.
Instead of getting mired in the doldrums of housecleaning, I’m trying to stay more positive. Tackling Mount Laundry may be a task of drudgery, but I’m serving my family when I provide them with clean clothes. Picking up toys for the millionth time may drive me to the brink of crazy, but I’m sure it makes my husband breathe a little easier to come home to a clear path.
I’ve written about Saint Zita before on Saints and Scripture Sunday. After reading more about her in A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, I’m reminded that a negative attitude about mundane chores can spill over into other areas of my life, spoiling things that should be beautiful.
As we approach Lent, I’m going to challenge myself to have a better attitude in serving my family. I’ll be adding this prayer to my list this week:
Charitable Saint Zita of Lucca,
you spent your life working for others and serving the poor.
Please help us to carry out our chores with love,
with care, and with a positive attitude.
May we look for opportunities to consume less
and ways to share what we have with those who are in need.
Intercede for our loved ones who are struggling with illness, debt or anxiety.
Help them, and all in our family, to know the constant love and compassion of God, our Father in heaven.
Amen.
How’s your attitude about household chores? Are you positive, or like me, need some work? Be sure and leave a comment to share.
Looking for more faith filled link ups? I'll be sharing my stories at:Scripture and a Snapshot, Sunday Snippets, Spiritual Sundays, Hear it on Sunday, Playdates with God,Titus 2sday,On Your Heart Tuesday,Domestically Divine Tuesdays,Gratituesday,Word Filled Wednesdays, Walk With Him Wednesdays, iFellowship, Planting Mustard Seeds, Good Morning Girls,and Journeys of Faith Fridays.
“Doldrums” – That’s exactly where I tend to live every February! I really like this prayer, though, and I’m adding it to my morning routine.
I know …. I thought of the weather … and how gray and nasty it is around here now. Since we’ve had such a mild winter, I’m really antsy for summer.
Funny, I thought you spelled St. Zita wrong for St. Rita until I looked it up and saw that there really was a St. Zita! I love that prayer.
I can’t say that I get doldrums when it comes to housecleaning, except when it comes to picking up toys. I absolutely despise picking up toys, so I have been working diligently on getting my son to pick them up himself! (Not an easy task when dealing with a six year old, though!)
Oh, I’ve been known to misspell PLENTY of things here!
I ran across St Zita last year during research for Saints and Scripture Sundays. The section in Lisa Hendey’s book is really good … that’s where I found that prayer.
I’m going to do a 40Bags in 40 Days for Lent — I’m hoping that will help with the toy situation.
Thanks for coming by and linking up!
Oh Dear—I am SO not a housecleaner! A semi-miraculous two Saturdays in a row now we’ve vacuumed and She-Twin complained mightily, “We’re NOT going to do this EVERY Saturday now, are we?” Little dirt and dog fur makes us stronger….and more time to be happier. 😉
Your kids sound like mine 🙂
As I was leaving today, I reminded the children that they needed to pick up their toys before bedtime.
Thomas said ….. “Oh, no! That’s not fun!”
Well, no, but it’s necessary 🙂
So glad to have you stop by!!
I have trouble keeping the clutter at bay. I’ll have to try using prayer. It probably works like the old Benedictine saying: Ora et labora. The cleaning should probably be offered as prayer also. I’ve been told that cleanliness is next to godliness.
today worked a little better than normal, I’m glad to say!
I DO need to offer it up …. I’m bad about forgetting to do this.
Thanks so much for coming over!!
I am laughing at your statement: “I just have better things to do than clean my house.” It so describes me. But I do tackle it because I hate clutter and dust. I would rather be giving piano lessons to beginners than cleaning house. Or any of the other things you mentioned. Once a cleaning lady I had said that she just loved cleaning. I couldn’t identify with that at all.
It really baffles me …. those folks who LOVE to clean. I don’t get it at all.
I’m trying to keep a positive attitude …. today, I put away about 3 baskets full of laundry with the help of my oldest son. I could do it faster without the help from the children, but it’s important to get them involved, too!
Thanks so much for coming by!
Oh, I thought I was the only one who hated to clean house. Now Laundry that is a necessary task, but vacumn – oh no!
that is a lovely prayer. i need it too. thank you for sharing,
hugs, peggy aplSEEDS
I’m totally negative about housework, so than k goodness I live in the Philippines where we have help! I’m working on my attitude towards salespeople, especially the ones who take so long on the phone. I realize it’s their job and they’re having a hard time! I could make their lives easier!
I don’t like cleaning, because no matter how much I do, I’ll have to do it again, and again, and again……….. I know it’s good discipline for me, but still, I’d rather just read a book, you know? I’ll have to join the 40 bags for Lent. i did that last year and it went splendidly! I’ve got a few bags piled up already that I’ve procrastinated taking to the mission, so I guess I’ll wait a couple more weeks whilst piling up more bags…..now I’m not procrastinating, I’m Planning Ahead.
No, my attitude needs work too. I try to remember that I am serving God when I serve my family, even (especially!) in those mundane tasks that make me crazy but are necessary to our home running smoothly.
Oh, friend, now I know why my heart connected with yours so quickly. This. is. my. song. There is always something so much more…more! than housecleaning that I can find my way into. I struggle with laundry and the clutter. my husband is full of grace when it comes to these things and I am so grateful, but I have resolved as you do here. Rejoice always. Trying. I”ll pray for you if you pray for me 🙂
Attitude has so much to do with everything we do, especially those things we don’t enjoy doing very much. I’m not crazy about house cleaning either. I’m thankful my hubby helps a lot with that since he retired a few years ago. Especially when we have small children at home we need to spend a lot of time with them and it might cut into our cleaning time a little. But believe me, before you know it they will be grown and you’ll have plenty of time to clean.
Thank you for sharing on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Such a nice prayer.
“Carry out our chores with love.” I am far from that. Thank you for this encouragement!
Oh sweet friend…with three little ones, I’m sure your laundry is never ending….my attitude toward cleaning has changed since I became a Mom…and now, I am training my children…so, it changes….from doing to teaching/training! Thank you for joining again today!