Comments on: The Blessing of Work

By: Margaret L. Been

Margaret L. Been — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:07:44 +0000

I agree that “work” is a blessing! There’s something especially rewarding and creative about a home maker’s “work”. (I use parenthesis because I’ve always considered “home keeping” to be a kind of play.)

As a child, I loved keeping order in my bedroom, desk, drawers (was that a strange child, or what?), and surroundings–creating pleasant, serene spots in which to read, play with my paper dolls, and dream.

Although keeping the order and serenity was much more of a challenge when I raised our large family and kept an “open home” for family members and their friends, the challenge made it all the more exciting and rewarding.

I still get letters from friends of our children, now adults in their 40s, thanking me for the fun and hospitality of our home.

Home is where people are nurtured, nourished, refreshed, and renewed to deal with all life has to offer. So precious and important!

Yes, and being laid up with illness is frustrating–especially when you hear arguments and things crashing around in the kitchen! Now I look back and chuckle at some of those memories, but they weren’t very funny at the time!

By: Carol Blair

Carol Blair — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:23:38 +0000

Two quotes about work:

“Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle never know.”
–Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), English clergyman

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.” –Jessica Guidobono

By: Elizabeth Platz

Elizabeth Platz — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:36:12 +0000

Hey Ingrid – I used to get migraines a lot. Then it escalated during pregnancy. I’ll pray for that – I know how it can shut you down for a while. Let me know when I can drop off the baby stuff. My talk went well at the seminar this weekend… appreciate your prayer on that. Talk soon, Love, Liz

By: Mrs. Collins

Mrs. Collins — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:03:14 +0000

Wonderful post! Each night, when my husband prays over our meal, he is always mindful to thank God for the strength and health that each one of us were blessed with that day, to do all that needed to be done. Or on those rare occasions when we all have breakfast at the same time, his gratefulness once again is mentioned in his breakfast prayer, expressing how thankful he is that each member of the family was able to get up out of bed and greet the day with strength and health.

I’m always thankful for his prayers, reminding me of how blessed we are, that we are able to “do”, and my heart joins his, in his prayer of thanks. Daily tasks are much easier to tackle with that in mind.

Now, on this glorious morning, I am going to go tackle that sinkful of dirty dishes, leftover from Sunday, with a thankful heart!

By: Sherry Goodwin

Sherry Goodwin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:53:45 +0000

How often have we heard the phrase: “It’s all in a day’s work!” When you are retired or afflicted and getting older, it gets harder to just do the daily things. My husband decided to replace our two bathroom stools. He’s a heart patient and 71 years old. I knew I needed to be available to support him in his project, although I have fibro, can’t lift, carry, push, pull and arms and legs are weak. The first one was installed two days ago. I woke up to banging and pounding downstairs and knew immediately what was happening. I p-r-a-y-e-d and went down to see what I could do. He said he started before six in the morning and it was nearly nine o-clock by the time I got downstairs. I got in on the last bit of the job, picking up towels and tools and telling him thanks for such a good job! Today, we began the second one upstairs: I sliced my finger with a razorblade knife right away trying to trim some carpet for him; the newest bowl turned right over onto the top of my foot and I ended up sitting with an ice bag on it the rest of the morning. But you know what? The new one is installed and taller and that is off his mind. I am thankful it’s done while we can still do it. He said it would have been at least $200 to have one installed. Thank You, Lord, for making willing hearts to accomplish what needs to be done. . .good post, Ingrid. We take so much for granted–I know I do!

By: akaGaGa

akaGaGa — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:05:57 +0000

The Lord has taught me this lesson well over the last couple years, as I’ve tried to deal with fibromyalgia, tendonitis, IBS, thyroid problems, severe arthritis – and lots of pain that keeps me from doing much of anything.

I feel so helpless when I watch my husband doing the laundry or changing the sheets on the bed. God bless him, I literally don’t know what I would do without him at this stage of my life.

By: Lorrie

Lorrie — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:04:07 +0000

I get migraines and know exactly what you mean about how things fall into disarray when we moms are sick. It is wonderful to get better and return to the normal household routine. Hope you continue feeling well!

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:28:40 +0000

Thank you so much for this post. I really needed to hear that. Just last night I was crying to my husband on how hard it is being pregnant with a just one and three year old. Well, back to the laundry!
Thank you

By: Anjelle

Anjelle — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:13:19 +0000

Such a beautiful post!! Thanks for sharing sister Ingrid you are a blessing.

By: Lisa K

Lisa K — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:04:50 +0000

Ingrid this post means so much to me right now. With unexplained burning abdominal pain from my gallbladder surgery back in October I have lamented many times about not being able to make a decent dinner for my family or for not doing all those mundane chores we not only take for granted when we feel well, but sometimes dread. I would love nothing better right now than to be preparing a homemade dinner for my family. We take the everyday things for granted don’t we?
I also wanted to comment that I took a page from your book on how you researched your fibromyalgia, since I’m at my wits end with the myopia of the medical profession in dealing with pain. They either subject one to more invasive procedures or inappropriate medication – both of which have made me worse. I’ve told my dr what I found in research over the internet and while he agreed with my findings, he couldn’t come up with a solution.
Anyway, thanks for this pleasant reminder about how the simple things are sometimes the nicest things in life.