My blog post today is the result of a study done by Cambridge University. The study found that men who do a fair share of household chores are happier and more content. When I asked Jim to take the trash out, I was able to honestly tell him that I was only asking because I want him to be more content, happier, and fulfilled with his life. He didn’t really buy it, but I have proof now. Cambridge University says so. I’ve made the study a link, because I want to make certain that all of you can go to the website and print out the proof you need to put your feet up and say, “You do it.” I’m hoping this post will earn me significant points with my new daughters-in-law. I did my best – but my boys didn’t really inherit my “clean genes.” I was lucky if they chose clean jeans. My younger sister, Lori, who happens to be a professional counselor, has informed me I am borderline “OCD” when it comes to cleaning. My family would probably agree. I like things clean. Really, really clean. I think that is why I don’t want a dog. They can’t be taught to flush, vacuum and wipe off counters. Dogs eat stuff off the floor . . . but then, so did my two-year olds. But my two year-olds probably could eat stuff off my floor. Ok…I am a little OCD.
Here is the point. We want our men to be happy, content and fulfilled. If they KNOW that housecleaning will lead to all of that, I’m certain they will want to do a little more around the house. I have often said, “Nags are not born. They are created.” I usually said that to whomever I was nagging at that moment. But, just in case the Cambridge University study doesn’t produce your desired results, I’ll include a few biblical verses that prove this point.
1. Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” This verse gives you permission to get a maid because if you give up that money and hire the work done, you will be content. If that doesn’t work, tell them that God will never leave them, you on the other hand, will be home in a couple of weeks. THAT ought to help!
2. Psalm 16:2 – “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Tell your husband that this verse will be displayed on your bathroom mirror unless he starts chipping in with the chores. He may want to be considered “a good thing” too!
3. If all else fails, THIS has to work. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Tell him that biblically speaking the commandments are the whole duty of “man.” Therefore, “thou shalt not murder” has a loop-hole for women. I’m thinking your house should be cleaner in just a few hours!!!
Feel free to forward this blog post to anyone you feel needs the “wisdom” and perspective these words offer. (But do me a favor and leave your pastor and Sunday School teacher off that e-mail.) My by-line on the website is “Focusing on God’s Word.” Needless to say – my “focus” was more the “use” of God’s word as opposed to the actual “theology” of it. Come to think of it – how do I take Jim off my blog list today???
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