My boy is three. Today he helped me hang out the washing – I tied the peg apron around his little waist, and asked him to hand me the pegs as I needed them. He was so eager, engaged and so very cute! “Oh, here you go mummy!” He would say with such pride as he handed me the pegs.

As as I have thought more about it, I realise as with so many things that The Lord is teaching me a little bit about the  Way Of Things – my son relished having a task to complete that was achievable and just the right size for him. His work was joyful, full of meaning and purpose.

There is a twofold lesson – what are the tasks that have been set for me by our Heavenly Father? Am I listening for them each day? I confess that a lot of the time I do not, and as Martha did I often resent my burden of work and certainly don’t go about my tasks with much enthusiasm. Secondly, with regards to child rearing, it seems to me that it is so important to give our children achievable chores to do as this sets the godly rhythm for our lives of God – given, satisfying work.