be happy in your work & joy in serving others

Growing up,

there were a few phrases that were repeated quite often -

"be happy in your work"

was definitely one of them.

My sisters and I were raised watching wholesome movies like Shirley Temple, Musicals, Disney movies and John Wayne movies. This particular quote came from The Bride Over The River Kwai - "Be happy in your work" was the motto the Colonel Saito who encourages the bridge builders to take on the same attitude.

Being a biblical statement - it puts a smile on my face to repeat it in my head through the day. I can hear my mama's voice also encouraging me to take on "said" motto when she would find me rolling my eyes at her for asking me to take out the garbage or go feed and water the horses.

I can remember dad saying it to me one time and then he went on to give me one of his dashing mindful smiles (similar to the one above)

when he was trying to drag me out to go out and cut wood with him.

I'm sure I just rolled my eyes at him and then got in trouble for it. He'd remind me to say "Yes, dad." and we'd go on our merry way.

I'm sure this is something I'll repeat to my kids down the road when they are giving me trouble for keeping up with their chores - already I'm trying to teach them to say "Yes, mama." and every time I say it, I grin.

I find myself repeating "be happy in your work" to myself, daily.

When I'm dragging my feet to change a poopy diaper,

or rolling my eyes because I have to pick up my husband's pocket change, receipts, knife and business cards for the million trillionth time

or

unload and load that darn dishwasher that no one else seems to know how to do.

My husband works with the public quite a bit.

He speaks with lots of mamas who volunteer for him and just generally want to be involved in "the mission"

and it always astounds me how many kids some of these gals have!

One in particular, I believe has 7 kids -

her husband works for a family business.

She doesn't have a fabulous house, car or all the latest

top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, but some how

she has found a joy in serving her family.

A joy in embracing her day to day.

Ben had never heard her say a cross word out of frustration to

her husband or kids

(note: Ben was not telling me this story to "line-me-out", not this time any way :)

Ben had asked her one day how she keeps up with all of them, just kind of giving her some recognition and letting her know he admired her efforts and that he was seeing what she did for her family but then also turned around and gave herself to help volunteer, too.

This is when she disclosed to him that she has

found

joy in serving.

Serving her husband.

her kids.

others.

This simple but crucial message has effected the way that Ben looks at his

day to day

as well as

my

day to day.

I've noticed that implementing these two ideas I have found my heart to be at peace.

My home is more peaceful,

thus

carrying on to our family.

I think we can all apply this in

our

day to day

whether we are making french fries at McDonald's.

Changing diapers, answering phones or putting up with a cranky boss.

happy in your work

&

joy in serving others.

I think I'll make myself reminders and put them around my house - How about you? Do you have anything you say to yourself to remind you to keep a positive attitude throughout your day?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23