Teachable Moment: More Tasks Mean More Blessings

Kuya Ross was complaining about the Penmanship drills that his Papa prepared for him. He was frowning and whining while writing lazily.

"Kuya, do you remember when Mama used to complain why I had to do so many household chores while chasing your baby brother the whole day? Did you like it when Mama was behaving that way?"

"No, Mama."

"I also don't like it when you do that. I feel so sad."

"Me too, Mama."

"You know what, when I was grumpy, I ended up not finishing anything because I wasted so much time complaining. I didn't even consider your feelings when I whine. I changed my way of thinking because I realized that I should be thankful because God made me a stay-at-home mom. I could take care of you, Papa, and Bunso. I work from sun up to sun down, do tasks that I think I couldn't do all at the same time. I also have a business to take care of despite the fact that I have so much work to do as a mom. There are so many things to do yet so little time! Doing more tasks means we are productive. Through these tasks we learn something new everyday. We have to be happy and thankful that we have a chance to work harder. That means we are blessed and we have a purpose."

"Mama, what makes you happy and thankful that you have so much work?"

"When I see that everybody's happy with what I do, it makes me happy too. Imagine, I am not paid for what I do here at home. I don't dress up like office girls do and get paid with money when I take care of you. But I still do it Kuya. Hindi lahat natutumbasan ng pera, anak. Masaya ako at naaalagaan ko kayo kasi mahal ko kayo. When we love what we do, others would feel it. It gives us more drive to do so much more. Kaya ikaw, Kuya, you have to be thankful that your teacher gives you so many assignments. That means she loves you and she wants you to learn. Show her that you love her  by doing your best. When you do your best, something good will happen. Trust me."

He kept quiet, then continued doing his drills. I kissed him on his forehead and did my motherly duties. I knew I left something for him to reflect on. I prepared a glass of cold orange juice and baked macaroni as a reward for his hard work.

I took this photo after our brief heart to heart talk.See how he did his Penmanship drills dutifully!