It goes against almost every chromosome in our human DNA.
Upon being asked to vacuum, my 9 year old rolls his eyes back in his head and grumbles, "It's the worst part of my day. Vacuuming. Ugh."
Upon being asked to unload the dishwasher, my 8 year old slumps over the kitchen table and mumbles something about, "so tired ... too many forks ... takes forever ...".
Upon being asked to match socks, my 5 year old loses her ability to find similar colors and patterns and claims to be unable to, "make those parts twist together. I can't do it!"
Upon being asked to carry Baby S's polka-dot bag, my 3 year old crumbles to the floor and moans, "I not do it. I too little."
What my sweet kids are learning as they vacuum the stairs, stack plates and bowls, partner socks and lug miniature backpacks is that there is a double-blessing nestled in each act of service. We experience the joy that comes with giving of ourselves for the benefit of another. And better yet - when we give of ourselves, our human DNA is transformed just a smidgen ... to make us look a bit more like Jesus.
Serving you means I'm blessed, too!
"God, please help my children develop servants' hearts,
that they may serve wholeheartedly,
as if they were serving the Lord, not men."
Ephesians 6:7
I like that saying... may have to remember that one!
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. I asked my 9YO to help me clean the van to which she replied, "I will, if it counts as a chore!" She then got a lecture from me about serving and when I told her dad, she got a lecture about helping out. She hasn't done that again!
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