Two Words…

I MOPPED.

(waiting in silence for the applause)

Sad as it is – mopping just doesn’t happen much at my house. Not that there’s no need. Trust me – my floors are GROSS – but it’s the one household task I hate to do (ok – it’s one of the ones).

So today as I mopped I was thinking about how silly it is that I procrastinate so much with my floors. I mean, seriously, it takes a total of 10 minutes to get them sparkly clean and smelling fresh. And you should see my husband’s face when he walks in the door after I’ve mopped. He inhales deeply and smiles in sheer delight. If for no other reason, I should do it more often just for that!!

I also heard the words spoken softly in my mind “Deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow me.” I just read a devo this morning that related to this verse, but God was making this one personal to me.

There are so many opportunities for us to deny ourselves as moms. When I don’t want to mop: deny yourself. When I want to sleep in: deny yourself. When I’m working on something that I want to do and my kids ask me to play: deny yourself. When I know what my husband wants tonight and it doesn’t involve going right to sleep: deny yourself.

Denying yourself doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by choice. And do you know what I imagine each time I make the choice to “deny myself”: the smile of Jesus, the applause of heaven, a little bit more of me looking a little bit more like Him.

It’s worth in. Every time. How can you deny yourself today???

***ok, I’m laughing. While I am writing this Haley comes down stairs to get a snack and says, “Wo mom – did you just mop or something?”. Then a few minutes later Rylie comes down and says the exact same words. Seriously – now you know how seldom I mop. That is funny!!