The Everyday Things
The chicken was hissing and spitting in the olive oil, the rice was simmering gently.
I walked over to the fridge for the lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and soft avocado. I began chopping on the wooden board, decorating the plate with salad, keeping half an eye on the stove.
The recycling had to be taken out, the table had to be set, and soon there would be dishes. It was 7pm on a Tuesday night and I was struck by the routine of it all.
So much of the day is taken up by the little things. The mundane things. The necessary things.
It largely goes unnoticed, unless the smooth running breaks down. No socks in the drawer, no milk in the fridge.
It’s repetitive too. Tomorrow, the bed will need to be made all over again, and there will be a whole new stack of dishes to take care of.
As I drizzled vinaigrette on the salad, and pulled knives and forks from the drawer, I thought about all of this, and before I let a bad attitude sneak in, I challenged myself not to let that happen.
As colourless as the everyday work may seem, I thought about how it is infinitely valued by God as my family is cared for, and my home is a haven.
As tempting as it is to begrudge it sometimes, I know that God is looking for my heart to see that ultimately, it is Him I am loving through these little, routine, everyday things.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men ~ Colossians 3:23
Colossians is my favorite book of the bible.
That’s so cool. Why is it your favourite?
His fingerprints are in the mundane gritty moments of my life. i just need to look for them.
Yeah, that’s so true, just being aware of Him in everything.
“No socks in the drawer,”
That one drives me crazy. Especially since I went out and purchased 30 something pairs of socks and I STILL have the same problem all too often.
Yeah, it’s the weirdest thing, huh.
Colossians is my favorite because…
1. It was one of the first books of the bible that I decided to read on my own with a Sunday School teacher or parent telling me to do it.
2. I love the imagery of the things that we choose to put on and take off of our lives.
3. The cloak of love is mentioned (3:14) as something that is to cover all things. My dad always called me his Snow-Bunny because the winter weather was made to play in and I would spend hours playing in the snow. So I picture that love is like my winter coat, gloves, snow pants, boots, hat and scarf. Without those things playing outside in the snow would be miserable. But with those thing I can enjoy myself. So without love wrapped around us the world is a harsh and cold place. But with the cloak of love on we can go out in this world and still enjoy life.
There is just a ton of wonderful stuff in that tiny little book. I love it!
I love this post and this blog.. I’m glad I found you. It was like a new manna to me today. Hope you don’t mind me love connecting you today.
Awesome word Birgit.. We need to find Him in everything!!
Hi @ngie - thank you so much for describing why Colossians is your favourite, it really has inspired me to read this book more closely. I thought what you wrote about love being a cloak was absolutely beautiful. It really painted the picture so well of really wrapping ourselves up in love as we go out into the world. You have a real teaching gift - thank you.
Hi Heidi - it’s so lovely to hear from you, you are very welcome any time, thank you so much for your encouragement too. I look forward to reading your blog as well, God bless
If I catch myself getting frustrated by the tedium of it all, I thank God aloud… i.e. “Thanks God that I have a child and her bowels work and I have a loo to flush this down and a washing machine to take care of this load of nappies…” until I actually do feel grateful.
Hi Ruth, what a great perspective! And a great way to move from frustration to joy! Gratefulness to God - I love that, thanks so much for this! lots of love to you and all the family
Aaww Birgit, what a sweety you are - you are welcome, and thanks to you as well. You made me smile when you noticed the teaching.
Have a blessed day!
You too @ngie