As another mother and I walked behind our two girls heading into dance class this evening she commented on the energy they had this point in the day. The girls were skipping, running, and dancing their way into the class room and I said I wished I would have that kind of energy when I got home this evening as I still had much to do; cleaning, cooking, helping with homework, etc. The other woman remarked that their enthusiasm and bounce probably came from the fact that they loved what they were doing and were just excited to be there. I then said maybe that's how we should approach our tasks, love what we're doing and just be excited to be there. She looked at me strangely and said "Yeah you let me know how that goes for you."
But as I sit here this evening I wonder "Why can't I approach the tasks I have with enthusiasm and bounce?" I did once. When my husband and I first got married I remember being excited about everything I did in our new home. I cleaned it with gusto, not often because I don't really like cleaning and it really wouldn't be in my nature to do it too much, but when I did I worked my hardest to make our home sparkle. Now I do only what needs to be done and even that I do why grumbling and complaining. Most of the time wishing I had a bigger house with more room and a places to hide all our junk. (For some reason I have this vision of me in large home mopping the floors in my nice clothes and heels with a smile on my face, I may have watched one too many Pine-sol commercials.)
I cooked with eagerness and joy too. I made every kind of bone-less chicken breast you can imagine; chicken with cranberries, Chicken Marsala, Cajun chicken, herb chicken, chicken quesadilla, and the list goes on. And my wonderful husband ate everything I made. It wasn't until we had be married for almost 10 years that I learned he didn't even really like boneless chicken breasts, luckily by then my cooking repertoire had expanded, not only to new entree's but I even started making some sides. I still like cooking but by the time the task comes around in the evening I'm usually less than excited about it.
Even when my oldest went to school I attacked homework with passion and cheer. I couldn't wait to sit down with her and see what she was learning, how she was progressing, and what new things I could be of help teaching her. Now homework is a battle fought most evenings. But maybe it doesn't have to be, maybe part of the problem is that I dread it before they are even off the bus.
And so this evening I sit and wonder why shouldn't my attitude be better? Isn't this what I wanted. I came to my husband when my oldest was a baby and we were expecting our second and asked to stay home with them. To care for them, to lead them, to teach them, and to be there when they headed out to school in the morning and to be waiting when they came home. Though being a homemaker may not be quite what I expected, because even then I pictured myself in heels doing chores, happy children helping, fancy meals simmering on the stove, and all while I smiled with joy (again I might have spent too much time watching 50's TV shows). But even as life is I can still meet each day with joy and eagerness. I will focus my thoughts on Proverbs 31 and I will challenge myself to be more enthusiastic, to have a more joyful attitude and to remember that all of this I do for the benefit of my family and the glory of God. And I'll let you know how it goes.
Of course going to bed before 1AM might help too.
