I was reading and praying this morning, and wanted to share something God has been convicting me about as a parent.

Diligence- what does it mean?

• Earnest and persistent application to an undertaking
• Attentive care, heedfulness
• Careful and persistent work or effort
• persevering, painstaking effort

What does the Bible say about diligence?  An author I am reading suggests several verses that speak to this character trait.

Proverbs 15:19

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

Romans 12:11

¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

When I work at tasks around the house, sometimes I do not do things with joy.  Sometimes I am tired and don’t want to be on my feet cooking in the kitchen, or doing dishes at the sink.  Sometimes I don’t want to clean the kitchen floor even though it is dirty.

I catch myself grumbling, complaining, feeling sorry for myself.  This morning, when I was reading this book my Mom gave me called “How to Raise Good Kids” (ok, totally lame title but FANTASTIC book!!!) by Barbara Cook- I was very convicted by some things she shared about diligence.

We are to work with a joyful spirit, one that does not complain or mope, but attacks tasks with enthusiasm- why? 

Because we are an example to our children.  We are teaching them how to respond to situations in life that call them to work hard, and to work when maybe they would rather play or do something else.

How can they learn and understand the value of hard work and the discipline of following through to the completion of a task, if we don’t teach it to them? And if our words and our example are not consistent…

So it is just as much about our attitude when completing tasks as it is the completion of the task itself.  That was convicting and motivating to me- something I can pray about and be aware of as I work around the house through the day.

I hope that these thoughts inspire you to work with diligence today and to be conscious of your attitude and persistence in following through with the tasks set before you.