Grumbling and Complaining - Who ME?

As I mentioned in my profile, I have three little boys.  Their ages are 4 (just turned 2 days ago), 23 months, and 4 1/2 months.  As you may imagine, they keep me busy, and sometimes I can forget to reflect on all of the blessings in the midst of the busyness.  For instance, the little voice in my head (No, I don't hear voices. Notice I used the singular form, referencing my own thoughts) will say things such as, "Didn't I JUST clean this up? You've got to be kidding me!"  Or, "Nothing I ever do seems to stay done.  All I do is laundry, dishes, diapers, cooking, and cleaning.  When do I get a break?"  Unfortunately, sometimes those thoughts escape my brain and come out of my mouth too.  I've even found myself spending the first several minutes of car rides (in which I was the sole parent getting the boys out the door) asking my sons' forgiveness for being impatient.

So, why the online confession?  Because God has been working in my heart, reminding me of some truths that should transform my spirit as I do His will.  I know what I'm doing as a wife and a mother IS His will because Titus 2:3-5 says:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

When I read through that text, my purpose is described - loving my husband, loving my children, working at my home, but also, the attitude I'm supposed to carry as I fulfill that purpose is explained.  I'm to be sensible, pure, kind, and submissive, with the purpose of honoring God and His Word.  Another passage that has been coming to mind is the simple, but pointed Philippians 2:14-15:

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.

Why should it surprise me when my 4 year-old complains about cleaning up his toys, if he hears me complaining about cleaning up the dinner table?  I have 6 little eyes and 6 little ears witnessing all that I do and say, and that should motivate me to make sure that they are seeing and hearing Christ in me as I cook, clean, change diapers, etc.  I don't want to forget the amazing privilege it is to have these three little disciples in my house, whose lives God has trusted me with the opportunity of shaping.  No singular person will influence them in the way that I can!  That's mind-blowing when you really think about it!  I continually remind myself that Christ came to serve, not to be served.  He washed His disciples feet, and not only did He wash them, He offered to, without complaining, but with beautiful humility and love.  I have had plenty of opportunities to wash my three little disciples feet too (and a whole lot more), but did I have that same spirit of serving with humility as I did it?  

Instead of feeling sorry for myself for the myriad of tasks that each of my days contain, I want to embrace my 'To Do' list with gratitude in my heart for the opportunity to bless my husband and my three little disciples.  I don't want to see my home life as tedious and repetitive, but as a journey for my family, where God has given me the opportunity to lead my children into wisdom and godliness - and what better way to lead them than by my example?