Purifying

Years ago, in church, someone told a story that I have not forgotten. The woman said that she asked her mom what she thought about as she was doing the dishes and laundry, and all of those other mind-numbing chores we do all day. Her mother said that she liked to just think about the things of God.

Woah. What do I think about?
Kyle has a soccer game Saturday and he has been wearing his soccer shirt two days already this week. How dirty is it? Do I need to bring treats? I really need to cut his hair. What am I going to make for dinner? Will the kids ever learn to shut the door? I've gotta get the laundry done. What am I going to make for dinner? I wonder what the weather's going to be like tomorrow. I need to water the garden. I sure hope the plants grow. I love listening to those two laugh. I really really hope the baby sleeps well tonight. What do I feel like cooking tonight? Rob's gone, maybe omelets again etc. etc. etc.

How do we purify our souls? I like this idea so much because it isn't just happening during moments of quietness or prayer. Heavens knows there are not a lot of those moments for a stay-at-home mom. It is while kids were running in and out. While work is getting done. Although those moments of meditation and prayer are essential, just as important are the snapshots into our mind throughout the day. Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, said, "What we think, we become."

If spend my time thinking of stuff I need to do, naturally, I become busy. If I spend my time... even the washing dishes and laundry time... thinking of purity and love, I become purity and love.