Did you have any assigned to you? Chores.
Did your mama and daddy give you chores to do around the house and yard? Mine did. So did Gary’s parents.
Once, Gary’s dad told him he was sorry that Gary didn’t have any fun chores like feeding calves or farm work like he had when he was growing up in Oklahoma on their land. Gary’s chore was the dreary job of taking out the garbage. He did it. “I knew I had to, so I just did it. I kept the dog fed, too,” Gary said, remembering.
Mama gave me chores to do while she was at work and daddy was off running that train he drove. To me, chores were a burden, but I did them. It seemed like it weighed me down, especially in the summer when I wanted to be free, free, free! As soon as I did my assigned tasks, I felt good and ready to go about my horse riding, swimming and playing.
I felt responsible for getting my job done well and not disappointing Mama when she came home from work.
Lots of times I had to sweep the porch and clean up around the front door. Mama always said you could tell a lot about a person when you looked at their yard and especially around the door. Was it clean, neat and taken care of? I also had to sweep the driveway.
Lots of summer days it seemed like leaves blew right back where I had swept, so I just keep swishing away until I got it done.
I kept my horse fed, watered and curried. That was fun.
If Mama was happy with my work, I was happy. If she wasn’t, I got to do it again.
We gave our boys chores and taught them how to do them. They had to know what was expected to do the work right. I’m afraid we struggled and struggled about putting up toys and keeping their rooms neat. Other jobs were more fun for them.
One day, they were going to mop the kitchen floor. I heard a strange “whomp” sound and came to see what was going on. They had sort of mopped — the floor was wet and, obviously, they had used some cleaner. There were bubbles and foam all around the kitchen. The two boys were in their underwear running through the dining room, dropping to the floor at the kitchen door and sliding across the floor to the washer and dryer where they slid into, them causing the mysterious “whomp!”
“Look how clean!” I couldn’t be too mad since I was laughing so hard.
We have chores as Christians that are good for us and others. Our responsibilities as Christians are not a burden but a joy and privilege.
After his resurrection, Jesus said, “... Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 27:16-20
We are blessed to have a part in His work! How are you doing on your spiritual chores?
Get ready! Scissors, glue, construction paper, cookies, juice and Bibles!
Yes, Vacation Bible School is all around us. How wonderful!
Fun activities, games, crafts, stories, singing, playing, refreshments, learning and sharing — and dedicated volunteers gearing up to be teachers and leaders.
I remember helping with VBS when I was young and in Girls in Action (a girls’ Bible- focused missions group).
I remember doing outreach VBS in neighborhoods of my hometown, and all the children coming to have fun and drink cold Kool-Aid and eat cookies and chips. We taught fun songs and did crafts with them as we taught them Bible stories and how to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
As you drive around and see VBS signs, take a minute to pray for the children and the families they come from. Pray for the workers — some very young and some old hands at VBS and all that goes with it. Pray for the pastors who support and help. Pray for the mamas and dads who get their children up and ready to go and have fun and learn about Jesus and the Bible.
There are children who don’t know much about the Bible, God or Jesus, who come. Some are from Christian families and have a good biblical background. Some are rowdy and have a hard time listening and following directions. Some have trouble learning. Some already know most of the Bible stories and characters. VBS is open to all and is a mixed group with different needs and abilities. Pray that their needs will be met.
Pray they will get a glimpse of the great love of God! They will see the simplicity and need of the Gospel. Pray they will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and set their young lives on the right path. Pray about how you can be a part of VBS.
