A couple of weeks ago we had a huge ice storm that brought down trees and branches, scattering them all over the yard.  Then the weather decided to dump snow on top of the ice and the frozen branches stuck in the ice.  And I promptly forgot all about the mess that lurked beneath the nice crisp white layer of snow.  I love that about winter where I live.  Just when things turn ugly and dead looking a nice thick white blanket of snow comes along and covers everything over making it look clean and new.

This weekend the weather warmed up.  The snowbegan to melt.  And then rain began to fall, which effectively cleared all of the snow.  And revealed to us once more the horror of the branches.

We knew that the warm weather would not last and so we had to go out and drag all the branches away.  Chop up the larger limbs with a chainsaw and drag them off.  We made a big bonfire in the backyard in our firepit. 

The kids had to pitch in and help, or rather they were expected to help.  There wasn’t a long debate or discussion with them.  We presented it very matter of fact at the breakfast table.  And they were more than willing to get outside and help.  I have to think it was more than just the lure of roasted marshmallows and hot chococolate when they were done.

This is the pay off of doing chores.  I have seen children of my friends fall into the trap of thinking that they do not have to help out ever.  That they have every right to refuse.  That chores are somehow optional, not to mentioned completely antiquated. 

Sure, there have been times when my kids have bickered over a job, or failed to do it properly and I had to go over it with them again and again.  Really, is cleaning a toilet THAT difficult?  Times when I have thought that it would just be easier, and more peaceful, to do it myself.

But then I would have missed the most important part lesson that having chores teaches.  And that is the attitude of service.

So stick it out.  I swear there is a pay off coming.  Probably when you least expect it.