Cleanup is not my favorite Christmas ritual. Twenty-five big and little people make lots of messes, so I cleaned the kitchen six times on Christmas. Tom took the last shift. He also bagged wrinkled wrapping paper and vacuumed before I tided up the house.
I decided this year to approach the obvious with an attitude of ritual. The seasons, patterns, and decor of holidays vary, but the ritual of cleanup remains. Recognizing it as part of the holy in the “holyday” creates a place for honoring Christ in the mundane part of the celebration.
A. W. Tozer once said, “It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, but why he does it.” Approaching the kitchen sink as holy ground cradles my work in a positive perspective. Sitting to rest my back every so often also helps.
I don’t know what my job assignment will be in the new heaven or new earth, but my resume will definitely list: “Exceptional Maid, Cook, and Bottle Washer.” I hope it also notes, “Works with a positive attitude.”
In Him together, Susan Gaddis
This Post Has 4 Comments
I am finding that my attitude towards everything these days is THE determining factor on whether I’m happy/content/peaceful or NOT!!!!!
I know that what I focus on I ‘become’, but it certainly needs an incentive to get me there…..and realising that my attitude affects my dispostion, my personality and my influence on others, does it for me!!!!!
I mean, who on earth wants to be around a whiner????
I don’t even enjoy my OWN whining!!!!!
See, it works!!!!!
And besides, I am ALWAYS the chief bottle-washer and cleaner-upper at Christmas……I actually enjoy giving that kind of support.
I like to think that cleaning up other peoples’ mess is a God-given talent…….I know, I’m odd!!!
That’s good Susan … I want anything said about me to also say ‘works with a positive attitude’! Not always easy.
Moria, what a wonderful insight–to know that we have the ability to control our own attitude. I also find, like both you and Carolyn, that adjusting my attitude isn’t always easy. My selfish nature just wants to have center stage most of the time. I’m glad to know that I am not alone! Thank you both for sharing.
Thank you for the reminder..getting ready for taking down the tree. You are right.. the putting up and taking down can be part of the ritual. It is an important skill to learn and to pass on..the joy of doing the job set before us. Life is so much better when I enjoy what I have to do that day. Learning to enjoy the everyday work is an aquired skill. Remembering the day..the looks on peoples faces..the funny little things that people do that make them who they are..these are the things I like to go over when I am doing the dishes or picking up. Its like tucking a few extra memories away that I might not have had if I hadn’t taken the time to stop and remember. I find that I move from impatience to be done to something close to caressing things, pulling out memeories. I love getting older..my priorites have changed!