Relief for the Housework Impaired
If a messy home is a happy home, mine’s about to split a gut. I could hardly contain the ‘happiness’ one morning as I was cautiously maneuvering my way through the obstacle course we call the family room. I had successfully cleared six tennis shoes, a math book, two trucks and a soccer ball. But as I strategically managed my way past the checker board, I stepped on an undercover action figure. It must’ve had some sort of automatic ninja-chop action because I think it left a mark past noon. As I sat and rubbed my ninja-ed foot, I looked around at the wreckage. Why is it that while some families have a ‘rec room,’ mine seems to be more of a ‘wrecked room’? What? Are we housework impaired or something?
Hmmm. I wonder if household impairment might be a legit disability. Could it be covered by my insurance? Maybe I could make a case for a government subsidized housekeeper! Maybe if all of us who are a tad, shall we say, “domestically disabled” organized, we could apply for minority status. Of course, that might prove to be a problem. What if we’re really the majority?
I know this sounds oh so weird, but I sometimes hope they never come up with a complete cure for sloboholism. There are days when I actually enjoy my impairment. For one thing, expectations stay low. I can hardly even disappoint myself.
OK, I’m joking around a tad. I realize caring for our homes is important. But it’s also important to find that tricky balance between a total lack of discipline and focusing on the things that really count.
Paul was all about doing the right things. He had a passionate enthusiasm in regard to doing what he perceived to be the work of God. But it took a blinding encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road to show him that he was completely off-target and that his focus needed to be on Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” (NIV)
Focus on Christ and everything else will fall into line. You may end up with the shiniest house on the block. Or not. There may be times when you’ll find you need to let the dishes sit and leave the beds unmade for a bit while you sit down and play trucks. Priorities fall into place as we focus on ‘knowing Christ Jesus’ more and more.
As for the house, I’m a little worried about my kids following in my footsteps -- ninja-ed as they are. When I asked Andrew to clean his room the other day, he told me that we should hold off on that. He said the carpet would last longer in his room if we left its protective layer of clothing covering it. That’s my boy.
Rhonda Rhea juggles her writing and speaking ministries around chasing her five children and running to keep up with her husband, Richie, pastor of First Baptist Church of Troy. Her book, Amusing Grace, is available at your local Christian book store, or you can pick it up through her website at www.rhondarhea.net. Watch for her new book in 2004.