Saturday chores. Working in the yard. Washing the car. Spring cleaning, or any other season for that matter. Every home requires a baseline of maintenance that can feel like work – even on a day off. Is there a way to accomplish these household items AND build a spiritual sense of purpose into the day?
Consider Paul’s comments about a few of his friends. In 2 Timothy 4, Paul encourages Timothy to come to him quickly, for Paul is in desperate need of help. Demas left to pursue worldly things. Luke is still with Paul, but Paul tells Timothy to “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
What a wonderful way to be mentioned in the Word of God! Helpfulness implies both an awareness of someone’s need and a willingness to get involved with them to meet that need. Saturday chores take on a different feel with an approach of helpfulness.
Raking leaves produces a pile that young and old can jump in. Put on those swimsuits when washing the car, anticipating that a brief water war will erupt. Pulling weeds together can open a door to talk about things in our lives that need to get “pulled out” in order for us to grow. Doing these chores together and helping each other with each task can create moments of fun and meaningful conversation that extend far beyond the work of the day.
But don’t stop there! As a family, build the needs of others into your agenda for the day. Take a walk around the block and see if a door would open for you to stop and provide a bit of help for someone else. When done to bless and to serve, chores quickly turn into an opportunity for ministry, and helping together as a family builds spiritual maturity into our lives at any age.
How can you be helpful to someone in your family today? How can your family be helpful to someone else on your street this week? Over time, your family might be remembered as Mark was to Paul – as people who showed love simply by being helpful to others.
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