Solid virtues

I love being a stay-at-home mum. In fact, the only job I would rather right now is being a stay-at-home mum in Africa. However, there are certain things about home making that cause a sneaky question to creep into my mind: "Does this have any eternal benefit?"

It's usually times like when I finish cleaning the dishes, only to turn around and find the sink full of dirty dishes again. Or when I've finally folded the last pair of socks from a mountain of clean laundry, only to find the laundry basket full of dirty clothes by nightfall. I recently came across a quote that has greatly encouraged me as I go about the less-appealing-jobs of home making. It was written by a man who gave spiritual direction by letters in the 15 & 16oos, Francis de Sales. In one of his responses to a mother writing him about her concerns of the never ending tasks of home making he wrote:

"I remember you telling me how much the multiplicity of your affairs weighs on you, ... [This] is a good opportunity for acquiring the true and solid virtues" - Francis de Sales

It is not the only answer to the sneaky question that pops into my head, but it has certainly been helping me combat grumbling (as I clean the toilet) with thankfulness, absent mindedness (as my hands are plunged into another soap filled sink) with prayerfulness, and doubt (as I go about the lesser tasks of the day) with peace. If I wasn't faced with these - and bigger challenges - how could I practice the true and solid virtues? It's easy to be thankful when I'm going about the enjoyable tasks of the day!

So even the small things can be used to learn that "to live is Christ". May the Lord help me to die to myself and live for him in all my tasks and my attitudes.