If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
It is easy to do in love what we love to do, isn't it?
Spending time with a spouse or a best friend. Reading to our children or grandchildren. Taking a long, leisurely walk in the woods with our dog.
Writing poetry. Composing music. Singing. Dancing. Playing. Praying.
Whatever it is we love to do brings us such joy, peace, contentment.
Blessed and sacred times . . .
But, what about the things we don't love doing? How can those dreaded, but necessary, chores in life be accomplished in love?
Be moved by love from profane to profound?
For ages, I view housework as a drudgery. I detest it. But, I desire a clean house, so I do it.
Joylessly. And, certainly, not in love.
But, all that has changed . . .
Because, the "why I do it" has changed.
Before I pick up the dust rag or grab the mop or arm myself with Windex and paper towels, I focus on the love I feel for Danny, for our family, for our home.
That love brings a smile to my face. Puts a spring in my step. Helps me center in the moment.
To see what I once decried as a banal waste of my time with fresh awareness. As worthy a testament to love as a kiss or embrace.
Because, the care I show in doing this work reflects the care I have for others.
No more resounding gongs or clashing cymbals.
Just a sweet, sweet melody in the key of love.
~
Are you doing things in love today?
Will you pray with me?
Help us, Father, to do all things, even the ones we find difficult or trying or boring, in love. Make us aware in all our undertakings of Your great and steadfast love for us. Remind us that it is because You love us that we can love at all. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 95, 102 or 107:1-32
Exodus 2:1-22
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
Mark 9:2-13
I love doing the things I love but there are moments when I have to do the things I hate.... I perform a lot of those during the training program. I try to distance myself from the things I hate doing ( emotionally) thus making or hoping it would make my task less complicating.
ReplyDeleteThat makes perfect sense, Savira. If we can't find a reason to do something in love, then taking an emotional retreat from it might be the answer in getting it done. So much better than having our hearts contaminated by "hate", don't you think? :)
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings to you!
Sometimes the things we like to do the most are also the things we take so much for granted that they quietly go to the back-burner while life moves on in super sonic speed. Its imperative we do not forget that...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by today, Kriti!
DeleteSuch a great observation here. Yes, sometimes the very things we love doing are the ones we put off because of life's demands. Sad, but too true.
Blessings to you!
I too like a clean house..and I too do feel it is drudgery and boring to clean it day in and day out. Now, you have given me a new perspective. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in today, Janaki!
DeleteWow! Glad this post gave you a fresh perspective on house cleaning. Just spent all day Wednesday tackling mine with my brand new attitude. :)
Blessings to you!
Being as sick as I've been, almost anything I've done this past week, sadly has been not done in any kind of love but rather other feelings because I am sick & tired and although I want a clean house and all that other stuff my body is telling me no,lol. Most things though, I usually try to do in love, especially when it is for others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by today, RoseAnn!
DeleteI hear you! When I'm sick, which, thankfully, is rare, I don't feel like doing one darned thing. I just let it all go until the strength and energy returns. :)
And, we should always do in love what we do for others - great thought!
Blessings to you!
I don’t like chores either Martha. That’s because I’m a Mary, not a Martha ;-) Truly I am a Mary who enjoys nothing more than sitting at His feet. It feels so unproductive to dust, for instance, because only minutes after you’ve polished the wood, those particles come back full speed. Same with the bathroom and the floors… a never ending war!
ReplyDeleteIt is an never ending war, especially with this monster pollen we have just had fall on us. What really helped me turn this corner, and I need to tell her, is something Jessica said in one of her posts about being "mindful" and "living in the moment". Made me realize that all tasks, be they menial or dull, can be accomplished with love and joy.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings always!
Well worth thinking about this bible verse as a call to look at everything you do to "exist" or maintain your household, is testiment to your devotion to the teaching's of Christ and God.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
David
Great to see you here, David!
DeleteChanging my attitude really does make things so much better. As I worked my way through the house this past Wednesday, I continually reminded myself that this was a labor of love.
Thanks for coming by!
Blessings!
Writing, taking care of people esp. children, cooking, music and art ~ these things make me alive... while relating to people I'm not fond with, this make me cringe :P I know that this is God's challenge to make me aware of my own biases when it comes to loving.
ReplyDeleteI pray with you...May we be steadfast also in loving the way God loves all of us.
Thank you, Melissa, as always, for stopping by!
DeleteGod does have a way of showing us our shortcomings if we let Him. It's not always comfortable, but it will make us better people in the end.
And, yes, may we strive to love others the way He loves us!
Blessings!
Ah, thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever thought of housework or at one point cooking this way, but now that I think about it my attitude towards cooking has changed (housework... not so much). Now that I think about it I enjoy cooking for my family and I love spending time in the kitchen with my girls.
I am going to pay closer attention to my attitude... I'm wondering how much of my 'attitude' transfers to my kids; I am sure it cannot be positive.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Amy!
DeleteIt is amazing how our children will pick up on and imitate our attitudes; I became readily aware of this when raising mine.
Glad you love to cook and use that time to spend it with your girls. That's a great way for them to learn a skill and enjoy mom at the same time. :)
Blessings to you!