Monday, October 4, 2010

The Valley


Faith is not just about following Jesus in the big, exciting moments.

It's about following Jesus in the valley . . . the ordinary . . . the day-lies . . .

It's about serving God and family when I clean the bathroom every Monday morning; vacuum the carpets on Tuesday, mop the kitchen on Wednesdays, sweep the hallway on Thursdays . . .

It's about serving God and family when I do the laundry -- repetition in fabric and water and soap. Turn the dial, pull them out, up the stairs, down the stairs, fold, put away. It's a gift to have a family to care for. It's a gift to have small children who get clothes and towels and sheets dirty . . . throw up, wet nights, blow-out diapers, chocolate ice cream, a box of sand.

Monday: towels, Tuesday: boys' clothes, Wednesday: bedding and kitchen towels, Thursday: our clothes.

The schedule helps the valley to keep its rhythm -- like the rising and setting of the sun; the circle of the seasons.

"The batterings always come in commonplace ways and through commonplace people . . . the little "I am" always sulks when God says do." --Oswald Chambers

I guess the ordinary -- the valley -- can be tedious or beautiful.

I choose beauty.
At least for today.




No comments:

Post a Comment