Thursday, February 01, 2007
Mopping the Floor and Giving God Glory
Do you want to know a secret about me? I do not enjoy mopping. We have a lot of tile in our house. A little less than one half is tile,about one fourth is hard wood and the rest is berber carpet in the bedrooms and playroom. The stone-like tile is in the kitchen,family room,breakfast room,large wide hall going back to children's rooms,laundry room,and powder room. This makes up about 2000 square feet of living space. It is a large area of tile. We,also,have tile in all of the bathrooms. I can usually just allow the girls to vacuum it up or sweep the crumbs up in the main area...it does not look bad very easily. The tile is the color of dirt and sand! I intentionally picked out this color! But,I do need to mop it really well about once every 2 weeks. I did that this morning,while still getting over whatever I have had; I still have a stuffy nose!
It is the mundane things like this that really get me thinking about God's plans for my life. I have been given very important responsibilities in this life. And,it does involve mopping floors. Years ago,when my 2 biggest girls were little,we had a sweet lady come in and clean for us once a week. It was nice,because on this one day,I would come home to a completely clean house! But,I became convicted about this. Please do not misunderstand me...I'm not saying it is a sin to have someone clean for you! But,I was looking at my God given responsibilities in being a home keeper and how much I was really doing. I was enjoying the children and leaving the harder stuff for someone else to do. And what was I teaching my girls about keeping a home? That really bothered me. We have been through lots of heart changes in our marriage...and this was a big one for me. I had not been taught from a Biblical point of view about being a keeper of the home and what all that involves. I did not have a servant's heart-desiring to serve them (my family) by all that is involved with being a stay at home mother and godly wife...I just wanted to do the fun stuff. It was a very self centered focus.
Thankfully,God has changed my heart and helped me to see how to love others by serving them and by seeing God's plan for Biblical womanhood. I still have a lot to learn in this area.
We have a larger home now and it is hard to keep clean because there is more to clean!!!! My bigger girls do most of the cleaning by having one life skill they do each day. Then I have jobs that are just mine. It all gets cleaned,just not all on one day like it used to!
Now,back to my lovely dirty floors...Is God concerned with how my floors look? No,I don't think that is the issue...He is very concerned with how I mop the floors. How,as in,what is my attitude when I am mopping floors.
I really thought hard as I was doing the task I like to do the least this morning. To do all things for God's glory means to obey His word with the mundane things He has for me to do. Having the right heart before Him in all things...not complaining or arguing (in my heart) while doing what He has called me to do. I have to work on that and meditate on His Word. His Word is what convicts me and causes me to change my heart. I can't drum up all my goodness to have a good little heart while doing my daily tasks.
No,I must seek His Word and simply obey it. I must have joy in all things...not just outward joy for my children to see,while this does keep me accountable,too...but it is the hidden person in my heart that God sees that must stay pure and right before Him.
I prayed as I mopped today. I,also decided that to obey is better than to sacrifice. I decided to have joy while mopping...and I did. I was thankful that the Lord in His goodness has allowed me to have this beautiful home where tiny (and big) feet trod. Little feet that come running out of baths with their teeny feet still wet,those are the feet that leave footprints on the floor. The spills and stickiness comes from children who are in my care that have been blessed with healthy bodies who can enjoy all things--what a blessing. The crumbs are the leftovers from delicious and wholesome foods we have been blessed with day after day after day. The gooky goos (that I had to get down on my hands and knees to get up) are from small children's hands dropping play-doh and drops of glue while learning to make and construct,and while learning it is just fine to be little children.
Isn't it beautiful what the Lord can do in our hearts as we change our minds (repent) to find joy in all things with a thankful heart? It is all about the heart...isn't it? May your heart be encouraged today to find JOY in the things God has for you to do.
I do fail so often,especially in the area of attitudes and heart rightness before God...but it is my desire. I will continue pursuing it with all my heart! Will you pursue it with me?
It is the mundane things like this that really get me thinking about God's plans for my life. I have been given very important responsibilities in this life. And,it does involve mopping floors. Years ago,when my 2 biggest girls were little,we had a sweet lady come in and clean for us once a week. It was nice,because on this one day,I would come home to a completely clean house! But,I became convicted about this. Please do not misunderstand me...I'm not saying it is a sin to have someone clean for you! But,I was looking at my God given responsibilities in being a home keeper and how much I was really doing. I was enjoying the children and leaving the harder stuff for someone else to do. And what was I teaching my girls about keeping a home? That really bothered me. We have been through lots of heart changes in our marriage...and this was a big one for me. I had not been taught from a Biblical point of view about being a keeper of the home and what all that involves. I did not have a servant's heart-desiring to serve them (my family) by all that is involved with being a stay at home mother and godly wife...I just wanted to do the fun stuff. It was a very self centered focus.
Thankfully,God has changed my heart and helped me to see how to love others by serving them and by seeing God's plan for Biblical womanhood. I still have a lot to learn in this area.
We have a larger home now and it is hard to keep clean because there is more to clean!!!! My bigger girls do most of the cleaning by having one life skill they do each day. Then I have jobs that are just mine. It all gets cleaned,just not all on one day like it used to!
Now,back to my lovely dirty floors...Is God concerned with how my floors look? No,I don't think that is the issue...He is very concerned with how I mop the floors. How,as in,what is my attitude when I am mopping floors.
I really thought hard as I was doing the task I like to do the least this morning. To do all things for God's glory means to obey His word with the mundane things He has for me to do. Having the right heart before Him in all things...not complaining or arguing (in my heart) while doing what He has called me to do. I have to work on that and meditate on His Word. His Word is what convicts me and causes me to change my heart. I can't drum up all my goodness to have a good little heart while doing my daily tasks.
No,I must seek His Word and simply obey it. I must have joy in all things...not just outward joy for my children to see,while this does keep me accountable,too...but it is the hidden person in my heart that God sees that must stay pure and right before Him.
I prayed as I mopped today. I,also decided that to obey is better than to sacrifice. I decided to have joy while mopping...and I did. I was thankful that the Lord in His goodness has allowed me to have this beautiful home where tiny (and big) feet trod. Little feet that come running out of baths with their teeny feet still wet,those are the feet that leave footprints on the floor. The spills and stickiness comes from children who are in my care that have been blessed with healthy bodies who can enjoy all things--what a blessing. The crumbs are the leftovers from delicious and wholesome foods we have been blessed with day after day after day. The gooky goos (that I had to get down on my hands and knees to get up) are from small children's hands dropping play-doh and drops of glue while learning to make and construct,and while learning it is just fine to be little children.
Isn't it beautiful what the Lord can do in our hearts as we change our minds (repent) to find joy in all things with a thankful heart? It is all about the heart...isn't it? May your heart be encouraged today to find JOY in the things God has for you to do.
For it is God who is at work in you,both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,among whom you appear as lights in the world. Phil 2:13-15
I do fail so often,especially in the area of attitudes and heart rightness before God...but it is my desire. I will continue pursuing it with all my heart! Will you pursue it with me?
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
30 Comments:
Hi Kim
I really love your site and your posts. This one is good because I have been struggling with keeping the house clean. New baby, homeschooling, working a part time job from home, involved at church, etc.. you know the list never ends. I have been asking my husband if we could have a cleaning person to help out with the "unfun" stuff. Thanks for new insight so I can rethink that request....Now I'll just thank God I can mop my floors and thank him for blessing me with the job of being home and teaching my kids how to keep home too. Thanks again for the great post!
Kim,
I too do not enjoy the housekeeping part of my job. But one of my Sunday School teachers gave me one of her brooms that she paints and it has a verse on it. "Do all your work wholehartedly." Colossians 3:23. For some reason using my pretty broom make me feel better about my job. The broom is called "No Ordinary Broom" she also made one for Molly and she usually helps me when I am sweeping. Her website is
www.NoOrdinaryBroom.com
So here's to making our ordinary task into extraordinary.
Jayme
Those are adorable,Jayme! Thanks for the website!
Dana, I won't say it is bad to never receive help...there are times and different seasons of life that help in areas of your home can be quite refreshing. I just knew for me...it was all for the wrong reasons. Thanks for your encouraging comments!
Great insight Kim. I too often have to remind myself about "Who" I am serving and the attitude that I have about serving, especially when doing 'not-so-fun' chores. Thanks for the encouragement!
I think along with toilets, that floors are my least favorite chore as well. Thank you for a little perspective today!
Blessings,
Did you write this just for me today? Even if you didn't, I'm going to pretend like you did. Thanks!
Keeping the house clean and neat is a big issue for me. I am trying to have the right attitude about it, but sometimes it is just so hard. Thanks for reminding me that it is a blessing to be home and be able to take care of my children and home! I want to pursue God in everything I do and that includes my home as well! Blessings!
What sweet perspective. I have been struggling with this issue for quite some time, annoyed with the monotiny of it all. This post really convicted me. You're right. If the floors STAY dirty despite all my hard work, I'm going to start thanking God that I have a healthy sweet family to cause all that mess!
Great post, Kim. I can say that I've felt really overwhelmed this week, so your words help me to realize what a blessing it all is. Ofcourse, I know this, but sometimes we just all need to be reminded.
Great reminders! Only our God would delight in glory given to Him through the mopping of the floors! He is amazing!
Yes! I just posted something similar about my week. It's the attitude of the heart! Oh, how I loved this post!
You are truly an inspiration, Kim. I'm not a big fan of mopping either and my hardwood floors are whining for a thorough cleaning as I type.
Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed this perspective and plan to re-read this post frequently to remind myself of the truth contained here.
Thank you.
Oh, and I would love to chat with you further at some point on the topic of life skills. Could you maybe post a list or email me with the examples of what you consider life skills for Gracie and Abigail? My Libbyline is the same age as Abigail, and I'd love some direction on what to expect of her at 11. Thank you, Kim : )
Kim, I absolutely loved this post - and thank you for the reminder - it's all about attitude. We have the power to change that, if we tap into the right power (HS). Today is my 'pay bills and clean' day - so this was perfect for me. I too have mostly tile, and hardwood and am not in love with cleaning it, but praying while I do it - theres a solution!
WOW!! I really needed that this morning. I have a hard time with laundry. I hate it. So thank you. I will do laundry today with a servant heart. To serve the family God has blessed me with. With thankfulness that I get to be home to do it.
What a beautiful post...As a stay at home mom, it once seemed to me that so much of my life was comprised of the "trivial": mopping as you described, changing diapers, laundry, making grilled cheese, more laundry...Until I realized that God wants even the mundane to be done in His name and for His glory!
Let every detail of your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Col. 3:17, MSG)
Hi, I came over from Share the Love Awards. Congrats on the nomination, by the way!
You do have a very lovely site!
I see you're adopting a girl from China. Just wanted to write and say "all God's best to you" - while in process and when you bring your little girl home. The very same is near and dear to my heart (& DH's), but the funds are not near our bank accounts, unfortunately. :(
I'll have to come back when I can stay longer! :)
God bless!
Ok, you just rocked my world with the idea of getting rid of a cleaning lady to take care of your home. Before I had children I had a cleaning lady, once I quit work to make some babies, we had to put our finances toward other things (like diapers). I've always just believed that like the virtuous woman, I would again have maidservants (cleaning ladies) to plan the day of. Hmmmm...I'm going to have to think about this one. Great Post!
Ah.....again, so true! I am constantly reminding my kids (and myself) that we must do our work with a joyful heart! It doesn't give God the glory if we don't. And it's not obedience. My whole top floor of my house is hardwood, so I do a lot of mopping. I find myself remembering that I must do it with joy.,..all the time! Thanks for the post- VERY true!
Janet
Hi Kim,
I really enjoyed your post today. It's funny because mopping is my least favorite chore too, but God has changed my heart dramatically over the last few years. I find such joy in being the keeper of our home. He has had plans for me, that I chose to ignore for a while. I'm now blessed with such a content and happy heart, even when I'm mopping. Thanks for posting such a well written entry.
"To obey is better than sacrifice," so you DID obey and you did so with JOY--great application. I would think of the mopping as the sacrifice. . . .
Your blog is just beautiful.
What a joy.
Kim, you so beautifully articulated the attitude I try to maintain when tackling all the "icky" stuff of homekeeping (for me, it's scrubbing bathtubs with a bad back).
Drop me an e-mail some time and we can share adoption stories!
Becky
chinamama4@netzero.net
That is a GREAT post! The funny thing is....is that mopping is one of the WORST chores! I always put it off until I absolutely HAVE to do it. Now I will think of it differently. Thanks! ; )
Very well said...and something I needed to hear. I also do not care for mopping at all. As a matter of fact, it is my least favorite chore. We have laminate wood floors in most of our house, which means a lot of mopping here too. I did get them swept this morning. I really enjoyed reading your blog.
Kim, just wanted to pop in and say thank you for your encouraging words and prayer, I am humbled that so many people care and take the time to pray and comment.
I love reading your thoughtful and challenging posts too, so thanks for that Kim.
Hey Kim! I hope this doesn't sound extremely arrogant, but I was so excited to see that you added me to your list of links that I clicked on it but it doesn't work. Is that horrible or what??? HA! I just love your blog so much and thought that you'd want to know that it didn't link back. PLEASE don't think I am as tacky as this sounds! ; )
Thanks for a great post.
Wow! You actually made me want to go and mop my floor right now! Thanks for your honesty. You put into words, something we all feel!
Hope you have a great week!
Oh thank you for this piece of insight! Yes, we must glorify Him in ALL that we do - even the mopping! (or the dishes or the laundry.)
This is a great post, and a great reminder to me!! Thank you so much for writing it!
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