So we were doing a Deep Clean this morning (translation: deep stress) and the little ones were whining about cleaning their bathroom, and “Why do I have to pick up these toys”. My 13-year-old ran off after our dog, who had also just run off (aware, no doubt, that it was a Deep Clean day). And I was left to scrub the entire home with three whiny girls and a mop (this could be a good sitcom title). Tempers began to rise (certainly not mine) and after about a half hour of joyousness I said, one too softly, That’s it, I don’t think we can go swimming today. It got results, but then quietly, silently thoughts from my scripture reading the previous night inconveniently floated into my mind.
I’d been reading in the New Testament, in Mark, and two phrases in chapter 10 really caught me. “And he took them up in his arms, and put his hands on them, and blessed them.” I definitely wanted to put my hands on them, but not with the same thought. That phrase, “And he took them up in his arms,” was so lovely. Then I skipped down a few verses where the pompous young rich man comes and says, basically, I’m awesome and I’ve done everything I’m supposed to, what else will it take for me to get eternal life. You can just picture this smug kind of guy, standing there in total riches while everyone else is living pretty humbly. The verse reads, “Then Jesus, beholding him loved him and said…”
Wow. Most of us probably would have rolled our eyes at him. But he beheld him, and then loved him. That says to me: gentle, kind, without judgment, I’ve got to tell you how it is, but I’m going to do it with love.
So, I girded up my loins and approached the matter with gentleness. I focused on praising consistently and biting my tongue on expressing frustrations (twice particularly with said son—I may never eat again). Honestly, the mood changed. They still weren’t thrilled but they got it done and I found them helping each other as I helped them finish their work. And as an added bonus, I even felt motivated to clean out my husband’s office as a surprise for him.
That’s why I love the scriptures—simple truths that change your life. And with a few simple phrases you are brought back to what matters and who matters most.
All Best,
Connie
