Working Together At HomeSample

Sean woke up to his little sister shouting, “NO!”

Through the door of his bedroom Sean could see Riley stomping her foot in the hallway. She was naked except for a diaper. Sean’s stepfather was standing above her, holding out a pink dress. Riley was hugging a pair of fuzzy pajamas to her chest. 

“NO!” Riley screamed. “I DO IT MYSELF!” 

“Sweetie, you can’t wear fleece pajamas when it’s 85 degrees outside.”

“I DO IT MYSELF!” Riley yelled back.

“Look, let me you put this dress on you. I have to go soon. I’m working today.”

Riley screamed, “NO! I’M WORKING TODAY!”

A toddler can be loud while she works out what her job is. Parents can get loud and frustrated, too, when a kid slows down the work of the house. In all this noise, you might forget that work is a good thing. But everyone, toddlers, kids, and grownups, is made to work. Everyone wants meaningful work to do. God designed you this way.

When God made the first person, God gave him a job. Genesis 2:15 says that God put Adam in the garden “to work it and keep it.” God also gave Adam the job of naming all the animals. God created them, and Adam named them. Together they worked as partners.

A home should be a partnership too. Imagine your family is a work team. Each one of you has different skills, different likes, and different things that are hard. God put you together for a reason. 

Try this: Parents and kids, name one thing you do at home that makes you feel proud of yourself. It could be a skill like cooking a tasty meal or putting together a cool outfit. Or it could be something you do for the sake of the household like raking leaves or washing the dishes. Whatever job makes you feel proud, say, “God created me to do  ______. When I do ______ I’m helping my team, and I’m partnering with God!” 

Prayer: God, thank you for making me the way I am. Help me see the importance of the work I do at home today. Help me see the work of those around me today. Amen.

For More: Print this worksheet to take inventory of the work each member of your family does today.