coming home

I went to a wonderful conference yesterday: Belgrave Heights Women's Convention. Ainsley Poulos gave some great talks on Colossians, and I had the privilege of helping Heather Reid with a seminar on motherhood (more about that another time).

But it's the coming home I want to tell you about today.

My wonderful husband excells in looking after our 4 children on his own cheerfully and competently. So I left them in his hands without worrying.

I came home to find dinner started, the house pretty tidy, the children bathed and in their pyjamas ready for bed. Oh prince among men!*

But I was amused to find how many little tasks were left around the house, signs of a busy day:

- bottles of bubble mixture on the front verandah;
- rows of toys along the edge of the bath;
- a huge pile of dirty clothes on the floor near the laundry;
- bathers scattered around the house from Lizzy's dress-up game (don't ask me!);
- puzzles and games on the table;
- cups and plates next to the sink;
- shoes and socks in odd places;
- the remains of a one-child picnic in the hall.

Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to show for my day. What have I been doing all day, at home with my 4 children?

But there they were, the signs of all the little tasks I do, without even noticing, as I care for our home. Clearing the table for dinner. Washing the clothes. Picking up some toys as I pass them in the hall. Tasks which make our family and our home a happy and welcoming place to be.

Are you a mum at home? Take a moment to reflect on all the tasks you do every day. Not to pat yourself on the back, but to remember what a valuable thing it is to be a mother serving your family.

* Please don't compare your husband to mine at this point - unless it's a positive comparison, of course! Like yours, there are tasks my husband does, and others I would like him to do; strengths he has, and weaknesses too. See loving my husband.

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