By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” (Proverbs 31:17)
When our children were young and before we began to home school, I did what I could to bring in a little extra cash for our family. Money was tight back then, so it was important for me to help bridge the financial gap in any way I could. As a stay at home mom, God provided opportunities for me to babysit during the early years. During the few years our kids were in the school system, I began cleaning houses to help ends meet.
Some might argue that scrubbing toilets is not very glorifying work, but I would have to disagree. Speaking from personal experience, mopping floors, dusting furniture, and scouring away grime in a potty is not only honorable work, it’s satisfying as well. It’s all in how we approach each job and the attitude through which we operate.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
While it is true that I like to clean (I’ll take cleaning over cooking any day), the delight I experienced while carrying out these services for others went beyond something I enjoyed. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment to know that I was helping another mom manage her workload at home. My small contribution would allow her more time to focus on her family, and it brought me great joy to think about her walking into her sparkling home after a hard day at work to find it smelling clean and fresh.
Whenever I took on a new client, I would meet with them to determine their specific needs. Some clients needed only the basics, while others requested a more in-depth cleaning service.
At each cleaning appointment, I tried to go beyond my client’s expectations, even leaving a pan of freshly baked cinnamon rolls with a kind note. It brought me even greater joy to know the family would enjoy a mouthwatering treat for dessert.
What about you? Are you doing your job to the best of your ability? Are you going above and beyond what is expected, or are you barely scraping by with minimal effort?
As Christians we are called to give our all, no matter the job God gives us to perform. May we carry out all jobs to the best of our ability and treat every manner of labor with integrity and character. After all, we are representatives of the King.
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)
Whatever you do… work at it with all your heart!
