I am going to do something I've never done before, and that is a series of posts. These are topics that I have been pondering, simply because they are my life, day in and day out. We moms are multi-faceted creatures, and the balancing routine we perform everyday is intricate and intense. I'd like to explore the many hats we wear, in hopes of better defining and discovering the roles we play in our vocation.
Today's hat is that of Housekeeper, or Homemaker, if you prefer. I'm thinking more in the context of that lofty position once written about in old England. Not demeaning, but vital to the integrity of the household. Not as a maid, but more as a manager.
I must admit I am not the most meticulous housekeeper. In fact, one lamentable aspect of our new house (besides the daunting 3000 sq. ft) is the fact that our ceramic tiled floors in the main part of the house are cream. A most emphatic I-need-to-be-mopped-every-day kind of cream. The probability of this task being completed on a daily basis is nil, and it is only through the valiant efforts of my DH that the floors look acceptable most of the time.
Surprisingly enough, there are aspects to housecleaning I do enjoy. Vacuuming is one. Never mind the fact that I am unable to hear the children fighting and therefore do not have to assume my role as referee (more on that role at a later date) it is a satisfaction to me to walk through the house on freshly-vacuumed rugs. However, our rugs are light brown. See previous paragraph for cleanliness routine.
In my opinion, there is a two-fold redemption to house work. First of all, it is our duty. Shirking is not an option. Neither is setting unrealistic expectations. Nor neglecting to prioritize. We as the managers of the house must set the example here. We must realize that children thrive better in orderly homes, but obsessing over the orderliness leads to an imbalance in priorities that elevates the house over the child. This must be avoided. We live in our homes. It is okay for our homes to reflect that.
This is not to say that we should just "let it go" completely. For our own sanity and for the sake of the child's self-discipline, we need to require cleanliness and order from ourselves and our children. They need to learn to contribute to the order of the home, all the way from picking up their own toys, to helping a younger sibling pick up theirs, and eventually assisting mom in the bigger chores of mopping and vacuuming and folding laundry. This teaches responsibility and satisfaction in a job well done.
The most important redeeming quality of homemaking is our attitude. Is this a chore? Or can it be a prayer? There are days when I fly through my duties with a song in my heart and a smile on my lips. But most days, I am cross and annoyed. "They left their shoes in the middle of the floor again?!? Argh! Who ate crackers in the living room where I just vacuumed?! And who put the peanut butter knife in the carton of oatmeal?!?! " etc.
You get the point.
The beauty of making our work our prayer is that we get a double blessing. A clean home and the graces for our family by offering up our duties for them.
Houses become homes when we live in them. May we live fruitful lives and holy ones in our daily duties brimming with love and joy. Always thanking God for our blessings.
:)
6 comments:
I am so looking forward to this series, 'Meg.
Just last night, had you have stopped by my house, say, around 9:00 p.m. or so, you would have found me lying in a pool of tears with my husband standing helplessly by. The reason? You're going to laugh. The toilet seat had been left up yet again, and I was convinced it was ALL a hopeless battle.
"It" being the maintenance of my home, of course.
I am not an organized person by nature. I am a creative, take-lots-of-stuff-out and leave-it-laying-there type. I am also a sentimental saver. I am "Maggie of the Many Piles."
Well, coincidently, I am in the middle of a major decluttering right now, right this very afternoon. We have an appraiser coming by tomorrow and this is the perfect excuse. I'm sure you can relate to this process yourself, having recently moved.
I am tired of not seeing the forest for the trees or, in this case, the peaceful home for all the piles.
PS. And what you said at the end is just lovely: "May we live fruitful lives and holy ones in our daily duties brimming with love and joy. Always thanking God for our blessings."
That's the hard part, really seeing the blessings past the cracker crumbs and left-up toilet seats... But, you are so right, it can be such a blessing to us all if mom's spiritual attitude is adjusted right. Thanks for such a thoughtful post! Looking forward to the rest in the series.
Nice post, Meg.
I have a difficult time walking the line between teaching and nagging. I suppose it's all in the tone, and my tone frequently takes on an edge. You know that one that comes when you grit you teeth and repeat the same request that you have repeated every day for the last, um, 18 or so years? The little blessings never learn. Maybe they will finally hear me (or the echo of me) when it's their house?
What I imagine my home to look like and what it is are two very different things. Once in a great while it looks pretty darn clean, bright, and decluttered. That however, never lasts long and frustration sets in for me. God blessed me with 5 children, a husband, and a dog. IF our home was immaculate all the time then we would never have any fun. AT least that is what I keep trying to tell myself.
Finding BALANCE ... that really is my cross.
Thank you for this post. I'm looking forward to reading more!
Great post! I agree with and love the balance idea. We teach, we model, we teach again, and we grow in the virture of patience through it all. :-)
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