Chores aren’t generally something I think of as joyful. On my worst days, I tend to grudgingly wash dishes, do the laundry, and sweep the floors. However, I know that isn’t how it is supposed to be. God doesn’t want us to do our duties like a grump. Here’s what the Bible says about it.
Colossians 3:23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Do You Perform Your Chores with Joy?
When is the last time you washed the dishes with a smile on your face? How about sang a praise song while vacuuming the rug? Well, I’ve been convicted.
Recently, we began partially using Easy Peasy Chores with my daughters (which I love, by the way!). It’s a little old for them, but we’re using a lot of the concepts.
Anyway, they would do their chores, but had the exact look on their faces that I tend to put on when I’m working. I told them to straighten up and change their attitudes, but I ended up realizing they were only imitating me. If I can’t have a good attitude while I do my chores, why should I expect their attitudes to be any better?
Changing Your Attitude When it’s Time for Chores
That’s when I decided to make a change. I try (really, really hard!!) to be upbeat when chore time comes. There are days when I feel like all I do is do chores, but even on those days, I try to be cheerful about it. And when my girls are working with me, it’s easier to be joyful. We sing and dance and have fun working together. In this video, I share one of our favorite songs to sing. If I start to notice a bad attitude coming, I just start singing this song and follow with other praise songs.
Here are some other ideas to get you doing your chores joyfully!
1. Turn on the radio or a good CD. If you don’t feel like singing, let someone else provide the music!
2. Set a timer. I know that if I only have to work on something for 15 minutes, I’ll be done and feel great afterwards!
3. Pray first. When I talk to God, I’m reminded of how He is in control and everything I do is for Him. Then, there’s no need to be grumpy about anything I do.
4. Work with a team. My team is usually my two girls, but on the weekends or in the evening, my husband will be my teammate. Working together makes everything more enjoyable.
5. Reward yourself at the end. Work while the cookies are baking and promise yourself one as soon as the kitchen is clean. Schedule a movie night that will start as soon as the bathrooms have been scrubbed. Tell yourself you’ll go get a pedicure after spring cleaning is complete. We use motivation all the time with our children, why not use it with ourselves?
6. Picture what it will look like when it’s done. My son’s room was SUCH a mess. It had become the dumping ground for everything. When he started sleeping in there and I started nursing him in there every night, it gave me an opportunity to envision what I wanted it to look like. Then, when I was working, I was able to get excited about the finished product.
So what about you? Do you enjoy singing while you work? How to you make sure you’re doing your chores “heartily”?
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That was so sweet! I love doing chores with my kids. Thanks for sharing the song you sing with your girls. I was impressed they knew when to come in on the song. Smart girls. May your house always be filled with joy. God bless.