When we are serving our family, we need to remind ourselves that is Our Lord that we are serving. We are not working for the praise of others, but for the glory of God.
When we are doing something that we do not enjoy and we have a bad attitude about it……we need to change our perspective and remember that we are doing it for Him. And the more we dislike it, the more graces we can receive for ourselves and others…hey that’s a good deal! 🙂
My sister-in-law has a special verse on a little plaque above her sink saying, “For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things.”(Phil. 4:8, Dhouay Rheims)
It reminds her of what her attitude should be when she is doing something as mundane as dishes.
The following is from Darlene Schacht, The Good Wife’s Guide
What Will They Take Away?
As my children are growing and watching every move that I make I’m careful to put my best attitude forward.
Whether it’s about waking early or hitting the books, I strive to reflect a level of enthusiasm in hopes that it might ignite a fire, and spur them on to embrace a good attitude of their own.
The first thing I’ve had to do is change my sleep patterns. We’ve gone from enjoying the lazy days of vacation to a structured school day all within a 24 hour period.
This transition hasn’t been easy since there was so much to do. I had to start getting up earlier again, getting four lunches made, and helping with homework.
On top of that, my mom’s been sick so I’ve been helping out over there a lot.
Life can be chaotic at times, but I’ve recently discovered that the key to controlling this chaos is sacrifice.
Why sacrifice?
Let me explain. The World English Dictionary defines “sacrifice” this way: a surrender of something of value as a means of gaining something more desirable or of preventing some evil.
The truth is that I don’t want to go to bed earlier, and I don’t want to get up early either, I’d rather lie in bed and enjoy the warmth of those incredible blankets for a little bit longer.
But when I surrender my attitude and my desires to do the best thing for my family, I gain structure and discipline which work to calm the chaos.
It offers us more time in the morning to get ready for the day. Everything that I present to my family is a reflection of my heart.
I can either show them that I value them by giving of myself with joy, or I can do it begrudgingly because it’s something that has to be done.
Either path that I choose will be a learning tool that my children study as they grow. That’s why I have to stop and ask myself, What is it that I want them to see? And then live accordingly.
Am I smiling? Am I affectionate? Do I show love, honor and respect to their father?
Am I living a life of faith that they will be compelled to follow or one that will chase them away?
Some of those questions may appear to be minor considerations, while others are vital questions that we all need to consider.
These are, after all, lives that have been placed in our care. What do I have to offer them, and what will they take away?
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