Karla’s Korner: Teamwork and Appreciation

Teamwork and Appreciation….

It’s Friday evening, I am tired from a busy week filled with everyday obligations, work, Bible study, church meetings and more and all I really want to do is sit down and rest; better yet just go to bed. I know, however, if I stop and rest I will still have my weekly chores, including laundry on Saturday, the only day we will have to spend together without obligation as a family. My husband, however, wants me to stay with him on the sofa and spend the evening watching Food TV and being together. As torn as I am I leave to finish the laundry and few undone chores so that I can sleep in and enjoy the following day. In between fluffing, folding and putting away clean laundry I stop at my computer and find the following posted on my Facebook page:

“As you line the laundry up to wash week after week and I step over it, thank you Karla Robey. You know I help when I can. But we all should appreciate the unappreciated.”

My heart smiled a bit as I read those words; I was encouraged to keep fluffing, folding and putting away. With the last load whirling around in the dryer I decided that at almost midnight I was going to crawl into bed and call it a day. In my opinion life is pretty good.

Thinking back over the past 24 years of marriage and 20 years as a mom I have always considered myself a pretty good homemaker. Everyone has always had clean clothes, a clean house and three meals a day. I have never done it all by myself. Oh sure I have had moments where I felt that I was doing more than my fair share but truth be told, there are times when I am not. But isn’t that the way it should be in a marriage, or a committed relationship?

In our world today there are no such things as the woman’s job or the man’s job in a family. With more and more families having to have both work outside the home it becomes more important than ever for everyone to pitch in and do what’s necessary to make it all work successfully. While I am the primary laundry do-er in the family my husband is the primary lawn mower. He pays the majority of the bills while I keep the pantry stocked with groceries, pack lunches and keep the house clean. And while it can sometimes seem like I have more “jobs” to do let it be known that he is the first one to empty the dishwasher, cook dinner, clean up the kitchen and keep the trash can empty. But once in a while we find ourselves doing something to help the other one out. We are a team and we do whatever is necessary to make our life run as smoothly as possible. All too often relationships end because couples do not take the time to look after one another; be a team.

My husband and I have always tried to show our appreciation for what one another does for our family. That attitude of gratitude has trickled down to our children. Each night when our son leaves the dinner table and puts his dishes in the dishwasher he thanks us for dinner. Every morning when he leaves for school he encourages me to have a good day and tells me he loves me. And while our daughter is not home every day she still conveys her gratitude to us and enjoys the time we have together as a family.

Showing our appreciation for one another and lending a hand when necessary is important. Nobody wants to go through life feeling unappreciated. Whether it is our spouse, life partner, children, co-workers, family, friends or the school bus driver, saying thank you or offering to help out in some way when someone needs a hand instills a sense of appreciation and value to those who share our lives. I encourage you to have the attitude of gratitude and show your appreciation to the people in your life. Saying thank you to your children for helping with chores, loading the dishwasher, taking out the trash or walking the dog will not only make them feel appreciated but will encourage them to offer to help out again. Thanking our spouse or partner for their contribution to the workings of your household is important and instills ownership in the relationship.

For me, I am grateful that I have been blessed with a husband who is truly my partner. Tackling life without him by my side would be rather difficult. Knowing that he appreciates all that I do makes taking on those tasks a bit easier. To say that I am grateful for all he does for me and our children would be an understatement. As we prepare for our future I know that as partners who support one another in all we do will get us through whatever life throws at us. We are a team and together we will continue on in the game of life hand to hand heart to heart.

Peace,
Karla

I am proud to introduce a new column to Madame Deals! I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Check out all of Karla’s Korner articles for more thought for the week here. Also, please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

Don’t forget to check out our collection of yummy and easy to make Recipes, if you have kids get them into the kitchen with our Recipes Kids Can Make!

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