We have recently instituted a new schedule around our house. We begin the day with chores and spend the afternoon hours doing our school work. This has been a marvelous change. We are much more motivated to do our housework in the mornings, and it seems that we are getting so much more accomplished in the mornings than we ever did in the afternoons. Our school time is also greatly improved because our vivacious two-year-old is down for his afternoon nap while we're working through most of our school day. The peace, quiet, and undisturbed lessons have been an incredible blessing.
There has been another side benefit of the new schedule, though. I greatly noticed it this morning as we were working through our chores. Sweet little Steven is exceedingly anxious to help! Not only does he desire to participate in the chores we are performing, but he is even learning to seek out opportunities to create chores for himself! I must admit, I'm incredibly shocked that a two-year-old is able to be so greatly involved in household chores. In fact, I have just recently been able to get my seven and five year olds to be actively and regularly involved in the household maintenance without expending twice the amount of energy I would have expended in doing it all on my own. Yet, just today sweet Steven gathered trash cans from throughout the house so I could empty them in preparation for trash pickup tomorrow. Then he asked for a broom so he could sweep my living room. Now, I must honestly confess that he didn't truly improve the condition of my living room floor, but he enthusiastically tried!
So, what's the difference? Why didn't Olivia dive in to chore participation with such enthusiasm when she was two? Why is Angela so delayed in her involvement? As I watched Steven this morning, it dawned of me that perhaps it has nothing to do with age. Perhaps it has more to do with fellowship. It is always said that the younger children learn more quickly than their older siblings simply because they have someone to watch. What wisdom! What intelligence is found in those who presented such an idea!
It occurs to me, though, that the idea might not be so novel or original...
...and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb 10:24-25 (NASB)
Many question why they need the fellowship of the church. Churches are full of people who are so different that their opinions and methodologies tend to clash and create issues as the church attempts to accomplish tasks. Hmm...sounds like siblings! My children do the same! But, somehow in the midst of it all, my sweet daughters are teaching my precious son how to participate in the family's responsibilities. And in the process, all three are accomplishing great things and helping our family accomplish the task of being good stewards of the things with which God has greatly blessed us. Can we not accomplish the same tasks as a church? Can we not encourage and teach one another, despite our differences? Do you think it possible that our differences are intended for the purpose of stimulating one another? Could it be that you could possibly reveal things in me that I never would have perceived on my own? Could it be that I could see in you talents that you never knew you had? Could it be possible that we could teach each other techniques and lessons that we would never have learned on our own?
We are a family. Just like my children teach each other and grow together, so we as a church family learn and grow through our interaction. Our success does not simply lie in a clean house. It lies in seeing a lost world redeemed. Let us be a family. Let us not simply assemble to worship and then move on with our daily lives separately. Let us join together to truly be able to watch one another and learn from each other. Then we'll be ecstatic when we see our two-year-olds excitedly walk up to someone to tell them about how much Jesus loves them!
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