Becky Kopitzke

Devotions for Moms

Nobody Notices When I Sweep the Floor

“Great job on the siding, Bob!” We stood in our neighbor’s driveway admiring his new vinyl  exterior. A small crowd of friendly faces had wandered from summer yard work to enjoy an impromptu chat. This time of year, the conversation often centers on home improvement jobs.

“Hey, Joe, I saw you put up a new play set. How do the kids like it?”

“How big is that pool you installed in your yard, Dave?”

“Is that lumber in the garage for your deck expansion, Chuck? How’s that going?”

And I got to thinking of all the projects my husband does around the house—noticeable projects. The finished basement, the fresh stained fence. Brick landscape edging and a tidy cut lawn.

“My husband repaved the driveway, and all the neighbors commented on how nice it looked,” a friend told me recently. “How come nobody congratulates me for folding laundry?”

Amen sister. Why doesn’t a woman’s work get the same kudos as her man’s?

Don’t get me wrong—I realize some of you ladies sweat over glorious flowerbeds or climb the roof to hammer shingles yourselves. Bravo if you do.

But for many of us moms, our usual household contributions are a little more obscure.

Nobody notices when I sweep the floor.

Nobody applauds when I mix oatmeal for breakfast.

Nobody drives by our house to admire my sidewalk chalk drawings or the rebate forms I filled out and stuck in the mailbox.

Just once, I want my kids to say, “Mom! You did a fantastic job grilling this cheese sandwich! You are one seriously talented woman.”

But why?

Why do I need praise? Does it give my labor greater significance? Does it prove I’m a good mom?

Well, let’s consider this picture in Matthew.

“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River,” (Matthew 4:23–25, NLT).

Wow. Talk about a hot topic in the neighborhood. Jesus displayed supernatural healing powers and drew swarms of followers everywhere he went. If anybody had the right to boast, Jesus surely did.

But do you know what comes immediately after this passage?

The Beatitudes.

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. . . . ‘God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth,’” (Matthew 5:1–2, 5, NLT, emphasis mine).

Really? Jesus just performed a spectacle of public miracles, and then he delivered a lesson on humility. Not praise. Not power or validation.

Humility.

What does that say about how we should approach our work?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving,” (Colossians 3:23–24).

Praise from people doesn’t make our work more important. Knowing who we’re working for does. And God doesn’t just pat us on the back—he promises a reward! An inheritance! Can a friendly neighbor’s compliments come anywhere near as cool as that?

So let those men have their repaved driveways and their shiny green lawns. The Lord sees our laundry. He sees our grocery shopping and our scrubbed bathroom floors. Next time you flip that grilled cheese, ladies, tune your ears to imagine this—the Lord of the universe is cheering you on.

My child! You did a fantastic job!

Thank you for serving me today by taking care of your family.

You are one seriously talented woman.

I know—because I made you that way.

* * * * * * * *

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, The Mom Initiative, Momma Notes, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, Wifey Wednesday, Wedded Wednesday, Women Living Well, and Things I Can’t Say.

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Comments

  2. It’s so hard to fight that longing for appreciation. 🙁 Thanks for the reminder that humility is the goal, not a pumped-up pride. Jesus should get all the appreciation!

    • Maybe that longing for appreciation is by design…so we can find it in the One who loves us best. Thanks for reading, Lisa!

  3. This is something I’ve been trying to do more intentionally, Becky. In fact, I have a sticky note beside my desk that reminds me, “Am I pointing to Christ? The REST doesn’t matter!” But again, I’m reading your words, and soaking up the insight (love how you noticed that shift from miracles to humility in Jesus’ actions/words) and it’s giving me an extra boost in the right direction! Thanks for being behind that sweet nudge!

    • Great sticky note, Beth! In reading your blog regularly, I can attest that your words ARE definitely pointing to Christ, and I love you for that!

  4. I was having a pity-party along these lines just last week (why am I always the one left to clean the mess?). I was reminded of humility in the midst of it too, Becky. I’m still practicing.

  6. {Melinda} What an awesome post. I’ve gotten more and more involved in ministry over the last two years and this is so true. We HAVE to work for the Lord, because often we just get discouraged by the feedback we receive from men. Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder.

  7. I just had to read this post when I saw the title because I walked around my home this morning lamenting the fact that the floors were dirty once again after having just swept and vacuumed them yesterday! Even as I grumbled out loud, I knew my attitude was wrong and my frustration misplaced. But it’s true – often being a mom is a thankless job and one of much repetition. When we read through the purpose driven life years ago, I learned that even the most mundane household tasks like washing dishes can be an act of worship. Thanks for reminding me to worship today rather than complain. 🙂

    • Worship, yes! And you’re not alone. I sweep four times a day and by bedtime the kitchen floor still carries new crumbs. I’m trying to look at that as part of the blessing of family life. I love my crumb-producing kids so much more than a clean floor.

  8. Oh, you nailed it for me today friend– and convicted me to stop complaining about how mowing the yard (my man’s job) AT LEAST is a job that LOOKS DONE when it’s finished. Unlike sweeping the floors. My twelve year old just gave us all a lecture on complaining today- humbling to hear her wise words, fresh from the Apostle Paul and to wonder if the lecture was really for her mom. UGGH.. Thanks showing up here every week!

    • Sounds like you’ve raised your 12-year-old well, my friend! Love to see your pretty picture here in my comments box!

  9. As someone who sometimes announces things like, “Did anyone notice how clean the shower grout is?”, lest no one notice, which, believe me, no one would, I really got a chuckle out of this post. A chuckle and a much needed reminder that seen or unseen (by man), all is seen by God. He knows and he loves when we serve Him by lovingly serving our families in ways that sometimes seem so mundane and unappreciated – like dusting and mopping and washing dishes.

    • Ha ha – that’s hilarious, Laura. I can just imagine those little household announcements. When my husband read this post, he started teasing me. “Honey, the laundry looks great!” Awwww, thanks for noticing. 🙂 You’re so right, though – how we handle the mundane tasks says a lot about our faith. I could definitely improve in this area.

  10. Dear Becky
    Yes, not only did our Lord shy away from the people’s praises, He was later even betrayed by those He so selflessly served! And as He was looking down at humanity as He was hanging on the cross, He still asked our Pappa to forgive them for they knew ot what they were doing! This is true love and humility.
    Much love XX
    Mia

  12. Becky,

    Well said. Check out “The Invisible Woman” on Youtube. It’s a glorious AMEN to your post. Visiting from Hungry for God; Starving for Time today and glad I did.

  13. The good and faithful things are often not noticed. Once we realize that those are the things God is actually interested in, then we can finally relax and start being obedient instead of noticed.

  14. When we do our family helps … we sing it LOUD “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men.” Col 3:23 More for mommy than most anyone else.

    Thanks for joining the melody this week. I would be delighted to have you add your voice each week. I jot some momma notes on Monday … but its a post whenever you can during the week kind of link up. I get the filled to the brim momma schedules.

    Happy day,

    Sarah

    http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/05/momma-notes.html

  15. I have to admit that sometimes, I do want that pat on the back, that recognition. Because even though no one really notices when I DO my jobs around the house- they certainly WILL notice if I stop! 😉

  19. This is such a GOOD post!! Too often I want praise, doesn’t anyone notice the house is clean?! Instead too often I get a comment, “Mom, why are you washing that floor?!” LOL!! Humility is really how we are to learn to walk. That is what the Lord has been speaking to my heart lately, not wishing someone would appreciate my work. Still learning after all these years to walk a little closer to the Lord, not man.

    • Me, too, Judith. Always learning to walk closer to the Lord… and that’s a beautiful pursuit, even when it’s messy.

    • Oh, I think about that often. Sometimes the Bible seems to gloss over scenes that must’ve been so full of detail had we been there to see it. Thanks for navigating here from Splashin’ Glory, Gina!

  21. Thank you for these encouraging words, the reminder that God sees us, that image of God “cheering us on”. Awesome!

  22. Yay, Becky! Way to go writing this–and folding that laundry, and sweeping those floors, and flipping that grilled cheese! Glad you know who you’re working for!

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