Monday, February 15, 2010


I just love this photo. It makes my heart smile, reminds me of little it takes to
be content, to fill one's heart with pleasure. I never see a picture of colorful
bubbles without thinking of my Mom. She taught me something that truly
changed my life; enabled me to see the best in everything, enabled me too,
to make even chores seem pleasant.

When I was a young girl, around nine or ten (not sure which), I was told to
wash dinner dishes. I hated washing dishes. Of all I might be asked to do, dishes was the chore I hated most. So I dragged my feet, found one excuse after another as to why they were not done.
   Mom, after telling me for the fifth or sixth time to "get it done,"asked
why I hated doing them so much. I recall shrugging my shoulders - saying |
 "I don't know."
  "Let me show you something," she said. She took a glass, filled it with dishwater, put her hand on top of the glass and shook it. Then, moving her hand back just a little, she let all the water drain out of the glass, then held it up to the light. "Now look." she said.
   The once dirty glass now shimmered with colorful bubbles inside. She
handed the glass back to me, and said, but not angrily, "Now get these dishes
done, okay?"
  I got them done, but let me tell you it took me a long time. I had such fun
washing those dishes, mostly because I kept filling a glass with bubbles in-between washing everthing else. I never minded doing dishes after that. I
always found myself looking for ways to make my other chores more enjoyable.




Mom believed in me when others didn't. We all need to  have that, the
knowledge that somebody believes in us. I pray we can begin within our homes,

with our children and spouses.
    
I would like to encourage you too, to believe in yourselves; to not forget that you are more stronger than you believe yourselves to be. If you doubt that, take a backward look at your life, at how far you have come- at all you have accomplished, all you have overcome.

Here is something I read that I took to heart and it serves me well. If
If you apply it to your lives, I believe it will serve you well too.

"Get still; tell your heart the Truth;
act on it; leave the results quietly to God."

Have an awesome day.
Love you much.

Barb

6 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a wonderful memory of you and your Mom. It is so true though if we can find a way to make our chores more fun, it seems the job is much easier to do. Having someone around to boost your spirits can really make a difference. I know that from experience as I am by myself most of the time. So nice to have you back blogging!
'On Ya'-ma

Anonymous said...

BARB, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION.
BEST NOT ALLOW CHORES TO PILE UP.

SO EASY TO PUT A FEW DROPS OF 'DAWN' INTO A DISH OR CONTAINER AND FILL WITH HOT WATER AND WASH IT THEN AND THERE.
NO PILE UP IN THE SINK. WITH A FAMILY OF COURSE IT IS DIFFERENT. THEN FILL THE SINK WITH SOAPY WATER TO RECEIVE ALL THE DISHES OF THE MEAL.

MORE FASTIDIOUS ONES WILL RUN THEM ALL THRU THE 'DISHWASHER' TOO WHICH IS OK AND REALLY NOT NECESSARY. WHO AM I TO SAY THAT ? sam

Rose said...

Our mothers always had a way didn't they> I am beginning to get to the point in my life where I am becoming the one people turn to for encouragement. I feel so blessed to be trusted by God in this role.

Barb you are a blessing in my life and I am thrilled we are back in touch! I'll look around for some graphics but I am on a new computer, BUT I still have my old journal so I'll look around in it...besides it will be fun to go back in time in that old friend!

xox Love Rose

Martha said...

What a beautiful inspirational post! Thanks Barb, just what I needed :-)

LaVern said...

My day is always uplifted when I see a post from you. So glad you are able to blog more frequently again. Your blogs mean a lot to me, and many others, I am sure. Much love to you, Barb. Your friend, LaVern

Amanda said...

YEAH!! Barb! Missed you! I so love your inspiration and insights... you are amazing!