Today as I was working on laundry and regular household chores, I missed the days I had a housekeeper. When I worked full-time I hired a full time housekeeper/nanny to stay with my then baby boy. One day at lunch I came home crying in despair over some event that was taking place in my life. I asked my housekeeper, Bertha, to pray for me. At that moment she showed me something I will NEVER forget. In her broken English she told me, “Shonda, I pray for you and your family everyday.” Then she walked me over to where she had the ironing board set up with clothes ready to iron. She said, “Every day as I iron your clothes, I pray for you.” She walked me over to the dishes in the drainer and said, “When I wash your dishes, I pray your meals be blessed.” She walked me to the bathroom and showed me that when she cleaned it she prayed for us. She walked me over to the bed and said, “Each day I make your bed, I pray for your marriage.” She opened the closet and said, “Each day I put your husband’s shoes away, I pray for him and his work.” Everything she did in my home was prayed over! I realized that the Lord has blessed me with a full-time intercessor in my home. I knew I could never pay her what she was worth. But each day that I did not have other commitments at lunch, I came home to have lunch with Bertha. I learned so much from her.
Well the time had come five years ago that the Lord answered my prayers to be a full-time stay at home mother. Bertha had been preparing to go into full-time Christian counseling. This season for both of us was over. I had learned from the best intercessor how to take care of my home.
So back to what happened today. I started to feel overwhelmed with all the laundry, ironing and mundane household chores. Then I remembered what I learned from Bertha. I realized earlier and was reminded today that this is a ministry. I am blessed to be a full-time intercessor in my home. Today I prayed over my husband’s laundry, the boys’ laundry, the towels, over the dishes, the groceries, when I made the bed, and when I prepared the meals. I will strive to pray for my husband and children as I work in the home. This is the ministry work the Lord has entrusted to me at this time and I should perform these duties with joy in my heart.
Scriptures for thought:
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
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8 gracious comments:
Shonda,
What a powerful post!! Thanks so much for reminding me that I can and should intercede for my husband as I move through our home. I pray for him each day but this reminded me to pray for him without ceasing.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving words of encouragement for me. I look forward to visiting on your blog more.
In His Hand,
Leah
www.thepoint-leah.blogspot.com
I too get overwhelmed with all the work of the house. Sometimes I ask the Lord to show me why I do this stuff again? I could go to work, we'd have more money, and I wouldn't have to take care of all this junk. That's when God gently tells me that I do this because He's asked me to. I have a purpose in staying home, and He has a plan that is being put into action. Sometimes it is hard to embrace the 4 loads of laundry that await me with loving arms. But by God's grace and a little elbow muscle, I get it done and feel better for doing so. Isn't that just like God to take something we grudgingly do and use it to make us smile and feel good about ourselves? He is so awesome!
I must admit that I am a bit of a slacker when it comes to praying over ironing. That is my most dreaded chore. I tend to tackle it and just do my best to get it done. I think slowing down and praying for my husband while ironing would not only make me appreciate his sacrifices more, but would bring me closer to both God and my husband. Thanks for the idea sister, you're an inspiring woman!
I love your post on this and my blog. I needed this reminder tonight as I caught myself complaining as i picked up toys for the thousandth time!! I got behind on some clothes this week and it took me like two hours to get them done...but i did get to talk on the phone w a girlfriend and boast in the Lord!!
Great Post Shonda, I'm completely floored by the great blogs I've found through Livingproof.
Prayer has been a big thing for me this past year. Maybe when we get to the end of ourselves it makes perfect sense.
Princess Shonda! coming over from "the point", and wanting to see what my siesta is up to! I love your post! I have struggled the last couple years with being a stay at home mom, but I have seen so many answers to prayer after accepting that intercessory prayer is a calling..and a high calling! I will never understand how it moves God's hand, but I know it does, I know that HE delights in it! Praying over chores seems to make it sweeter!
Princess Darla
hey! thanks so much for your post on my blog! you are such an encouragement! i love your blog too, glad we met :)
Your story is very inspiring. I should do more intercessory prayer.
Sometimes I am so bogged down with stuff that I don't spend the time I should praying. But I realize you can talk to God ANYTIME! He doesn't care if you are cleaning the bathtub or washing the car you can talk or pray or praise Him anywhere and anytime. I try to remember when I'm busy I can at least praise Him. You can just sing Him a little song while you work.
Sometimes when I'm doing chores or something I don't particularly like I am reminded of the scripture in Colossians 3:23.
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. (Amplified)
If I tell myself I'm doing it for God, as an offering to Him I seem to enjoy it more. I want to do things for the Lord and want to please Him. It also makes me want to do it well. As if He was the one receiving the ironed shirt or the clean bathroom or clean sheets. I do it unto Him.
Wow! You know, I've had a housekeeper, but she quit and I hate to clean! I have a blog about that. But your post is SO powerful. The Lord has used you, my sister in Christ, and He has spoken to my heart. Thank you.
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