I hate to dust. My house is in constant need of dusting since we have many animals who live inside. I think my house is the dustiest one in the world, but Mom and Dad’s house runs a close second. Perhaps it’s because they live in the woods or simply because they have lots of carpet. Either way, their house is always dusty, too.
When I still lived at home, tackling the dust was one of my chores. I must have used hundreds of cans of Pledge and the smell can transport me back in time. Although I no longer use a product for dusting (a simple damp cloth or a Swiffer is the tool of choice now), our amazing Tammy uses it every other Tuesday at Mom and Dad’s house.
I call her amazing because she is everything this house needs. She walks in with her loud, boisterous announcement of “Good Morning!” to everybody within earshot. Tammy is energetic, talkative, and so loving to Mom and everyone else. She is pure joy.
Cleaning house is my least favorite domestic chore. I’m not crazy about cooking either, but that’s a story for another day. Tammy approaches her job with enough excitement and enthusiasm for me to believe cleaning is the best thing in the world. She dusts, sweeps, mops, vacuums, and cleans bathrooms all through the first story of Mom and Dad’s house. She laughs, talks, encourages, and spreads such happiness the whole time she’s there. When she leaves, the house almost sighs with regret.
The Bible has much to say about dust. The first verse that pops into my mind is that “dust unto dust” section that is used so often at funerals. It’s from Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground. Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Mourning was indicated by putting dust on one’s head and wearing sackcloth. Matthew, Mark, and Luke have an admonition to “shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them”, those people or places that didn’t receive or listen to the disciples. I also think of a host’s responsibility of washing a guest’s feet after they have traveled the dusty roads. I am certain dust was a constant part of life and the rules of housekeeping were much more relaxed concerning it.
The verse I consider while watching Tammy is not about dust, however. It’s Colossians 3:23 – 24: “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance for the Lord as a reward.” Although dusting is a part of Tammy’s job, what she is really doing is caring for us. Yes, cleaning houses is her job, but her focus is on the people whose houses she cleans. She loves Ruth and Dwight Bunn. She hugs Mom and calls her “Sunshine.” Tammy and Dad pick on each other and tease relentlessly. She brings such energy into the house and we all glow from her attention.
Perhaps I don’t like to dust because I don’t work at it “with all my heart.” I do it halfway because I know all my effort will not show in just a short few hours. I guess I need to change my mindset and do it “as working for the Lord.”
I’ll give it a try. Excuse me while I go clean house!
