One Good Thing Every Day: March 9, 2013
Galatians 6:2-5 NIV
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
"I rob myself and others if I assume their daily problems and needs. When I do for others what they can do for themselves, I keep them from learning life skills and gaining the resulting self-respect." from Joan C. Webb's It's a Wonderful Imperfect Life
After everyone left the house this morning, I thought about going upstairs and making my sons' beds. I knew they would appreciate tucked sheets and smoothed spreads. But, I stopped myself. My motive for making the beds was wrong. I knew I would be doing it for myself. The appreciation I desired was not theirs. It was my own in seeing the beds made the way I wanted them made.
Making their beds and keeping their rooms clean are part of their daily chores. Each one has household chores over the course of the week. Even though I could assist them by doing these simple tasks for them, today I knew I should resist and insist they complete these chores with their best effort. My assistance--at first met with resistance at my insistence they amend their initial feeble bed-making attempts--came in the form of firm explanation of proper procedure while providing encouragement in helping them de-clutter their rooms. In the end, it was a team effort and learning experience for all.