The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry Do you have the worst chores to do at home? Do your parents leave long lists of things for you to get done?
Is there anything you can do besides complain and refuse?
I’ve done some K.P. (kitchen patrol) and G.D. (garbage detail) in my day, so I know it is not very fun or exciting. If you cannot get out of it (I never could!) the only other decent choice is to learn to be good at them. If you really want to shock your rents, do little things like picking up and tidying, putting away the clean dishes, and make your bed … without being asked.
Learning to like your chores is not crazy talk, I promise. It is about accepting the fact that we need to work. It is about learning how to work. It’s about contributing to the family as a whole and later in life it is about contributing to community as a whole. It is also about doing things for the right reasons with the right heart. It comes down to our attitude and the way we look at life. It is about doing things for God, like Ephesians 6:7 says, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Doing your best in the little things is the way to get ready for bigger and better things in life.
When I was younger, I would so often fight the things in life that had to be done. I would procrastinate, complain, carry on a subtle tantrum (or a loud tantrum, I’m sorry mom and dad!) or even try to bribe a brother to do them for me. Once we learn to accept that chores and working are a part of life, the better off we are and the better life is. There comes a time when we even enjoy work and getting jobs done. It can be gratifying. This is not crazy talk again, I swear! It is at the beginning of a job that it seems boring and unimportant, but by the end of doing a task or assignment, the momentum carries you along on a natural feel-good attitude that you are capable, you are dependable.
I learned the hard way.
Once, many years ago, I complained and whined about having to clean the bathroom, I didn’t want to touch the toilet scrubber. My dad handed me a tooth brush.
My point is, don’t complain. It could always be worse.
Nice job Lindsey, I guess that those kinds of chores are the start of young people learning how to work. It is a basis for when one starts their journey into the grown up working world. In most cases, a young person does not get to start at the top of whatever their field of work might be. By learning and doing well the more menial chores is a pathway to more rewarding enterprises. If your goal is to do things as to God, it really helps with ones attitude, and gives a person incentive to do over and above what is expected of them.
GENE! Hey, thank you for reading!! Awesome to see you here. Yes, we all start out at the bottom and if we can’t get that right … we’ll be there a while. Thank you again, means so much to me that you take the time to read here.
Lindsey, Awesome to find out what happened to what I commented on your article about “WORST CHORES”. It did not show up where I expected it, and I could not find it. Now I find out that your stories go with WordPress. Surely got to be one of those “PRAISE GOD THINGS”. I have a blog on there also.
LOL – funny Gene! Ya know, a person almost needs a map at times for around these parts.
You’re the best for following up, thank you so much. PTL
Lindsey,
I hope it wasn’t your toothbrush that he handed you! That would really make one clinch a toilet scrubber. Thanks so much for sharing this. God bless.
LOL — that’s funny. Thanks for having me here to write, it is a honor and privilege for me. Bless-
Your dad is definitely creative :). Nice article, Lindsay. I was reminded of Jesus washing feet. My rather strong-willed daughter has often inspired me (once I’m done being annoyed). Insisting on a chore was my job…but once she gets on a task (even if she hates it), she finds a way to make it fun. I love that. Off to do one of my chores now! Have a great day.
My dad was great. Tough, but great. Thanks Billie Jo for reading and commenting — you have a great day too, my dear! 🙂 (hugs)
Billie Jo,
Hope you aren’t having to use a toothbrush to do those chores. 😀
Hee hee 🙂 thankfully, no!
Great article Lindsey! Very well put. My favorite saying is “It could be worse” also taught my Dad
Thanks Sarah!
I definitely see a correlation in young kids today between having responsibilities at home and not following through on their assignments. Chores at a young age can be so simple and they make a tremendous impact in a positive way. Thanks for sharing.
I agree Renee. Chores are a good teaching tool and developes character. I know I gained lots of character by scrubbing toilets and such. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I love that verse from Ephesians. It’s such a motivator!
I do too! It might be one of my favorite verses to spout off to people who grumble. 🙂 Thank you so much for reading Em, and for commenting. Hugs to you!!
nice. my mum tells me it could be worse as well. but I was looking foyyffgbvghnnbbbbnn
Listen to your mum.
Stay well!
Lindsey, I loved your article! When I was a teen I worked at a Christian Church camp, and my job was; you guessed it; cleaning toilets, and I also washed dishes and mopped floors. My parents had taught me to work hard and to not despise the most menial tasks. I can’t wait to read your other publications!
Thanks!! Dennis