A few years ago, three of my friends and myself, joined forces and had a cleaning bee.  Each week one of us would look after all the children and the other three visit one house and clean together (we rotated each week).  The aim was to get some of those yucky jobs done.  Yucky doesn’t seem so bad in good company!

My house was first up.  What a blessing it was.  By the end of 3 hours my house seemed to shine.  We didn’t get everything on the list done but we did a lot and it was noticeable.

Having my home just that little bit shinier was so motivating – I just had to get up and go and keep it extra clean and tidy.

But….. I have four children!   This in itself can be a very un-motivating thought.  

Even today, my kids and I work so hard as a team, the house shines, and then….. and then ….. It doesn’t!    I can get so disappointed and frustrated when this happens.  It seems such a repetitive, thankless task.

This is a verse that has helped me… Proverbs 14vs4 “Where no oxen are the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox.”  My interpretation has kept me in balance as I enjoy my home but love my children more so,  “Where no children are the house is clean, but much joy comes by the blessing of children”.