I remember there was a time when all I would drink was milk. Now I enjoy milk, but I really liked it then. I kept exclaiming, “I can’t believe I’m drinking this much milk. I’ll just drink one huge glass at a time.” Now I know why I enjoyed milk so much....

Sometime ago, the Lord impressed upon me how wonderful it would be to spend a whole day focused on Him. Life is so busy. I make time for eating, sleeping, exercising, even shopping and vacations. But could I take a whole day off from my normal responsibilities and focus totally on the Lord?
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I told my family about the idea and they were very excited. It occurred to them, that if I was very sick for a day, they would all manage without me. They liked the idea so much, they even offered to deliver meals and snacks upstairs to my bedroom!

“Children, it’s housecleaning day!” Mother’s cheerful words struck dread in my seven-year-old heart. Ever since I could remember, I hated to clean our home. Even the suggestion of a cursory tidying of the living room nearly sent me into convulsions; and if one should mention deep-cleaning my disaster of a bedroom, I would venture very close to death. However, my mother gently reminded me of Colossians 3:23, which says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Housecleaning certainly fit in this category! Over time, the stirring truth of this verse slowly dawned on my mind, and I began to realize I was definitely not performing my duties “unto the Lord.” I was, at best, a grudging worker who half-heartedly executed the minimal requirements so I could skip outside and play. As I focused my energies wholeheartedly on my housecleaning responsibilities, I discovered a satisfaction in joyfully fulfilling my tasks in a way that pleased and honored the Lord. And, ironically, I found that I actually enjoyed some aspects of housecleaning! I do still occasionally struggle with keeping a glad heart during chore time, but I try to remember the reward the Lord gives a cheerful attitude, the reward given on this earth and in the world to come. I would like to share with you the method I used to finally conquer my dusty room and beat the cobwebs into submission.  

What do you think of when you picture a faithful person? The thought comes to mind of one who continually goes on doing what is good and right, in spite of difficulties or trials. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes faithfulness as
“Firm in adherence to the truth and
to the duties of religion; firmly adhering to duty;
of true fidelity; loyal; constant; not fickle.”