Toddler chores

It seems at this age my children love chores. Maybe it's because they are with me all day long and see me doing so many neat things like washing dishes and sweeping the floors that they think it's interesting (feel free to soak in the sarcasm). Or maybe they just want to do grown up things. Maybe they just want to play in the water? Who know? All I know is they love doing things along side of me, which for now can cause more trouble than help. However, I'm striving to teach them to see things like washing dishes and sweeping the floor as fun things we can do to praise God!

1 Cor 10:31 tells us we should do all things to the glory of God. Which means washing dishes, brushing our teeth and folding laundry should all be done to glorify God. Have you ever thought about what it means to brush your teeth to the glory of god? Even better, have you ever tried to teach it to a 2 year old?

And Phil 2:14 instructs us to do all things without complaining or grumbling. What great verses to be teaching my children. What a great verse to learn myself! It seems the things I'm trying to teach them are the same things I struggle with!!!!

I think God has a great sense of humor. When He created marriage and parenthood, I can imagine Him smiling playfully. He knew they would bring great joy, but they would also do more. Marriage and parenthood are the mirror in our lives that demonstrate the sinfulness of our hearts. I realized when I married Larry, that I had someone that could see the real me every day. Who you really are and and your sin nature can't easily be hidden from your spouse. Now I have children to add to that mix. They watch and mimic me all the time. What a huge responsibility!

It sunk in the other day that I have 2 sets of eyes watching me all day, every day and that my attitude towards life and God is shaping their hearts. I can't just say, we should do all things for God's glory, I shouldn't say not to grumble and complain to my children then turn around and do it myself. I have to LIVE it out in front of them!!! I have to ask myself on a pretty regular basis if I'm living out 1 Cor 10:31 and Phil 2:14 in front of my family. This parenthood thing is hard, but so very very good!