As I look over my lived-in, messy house, dreading getting up to clean up, I came across this in a book, "Service without spirituality is exhausting and hopeless. But in the same respect, spirituality without service is barren and selfish. We need to unite the two and do it all 'as unto the Lord.'"
What a powerful statement. I have just wrapped up a week of work, proceeded by a week of work and VBS, proceeded by ending the school year, proceeded by leading our youth at church thorough a Leadership program, etc, etc, etc.
While it all started out with spirituality leading me to do these things, sometimes that part of it gets lost in the hast to make sure it all gets done well. But, as Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk discovered, even kitchen work can be spiritual. He joined a monastery in hopes of spending his days in prayer and mediation. Instead, he was assigned to the kitchen, cooking and cleaning. But, he eventually discovered that when he focused on the love of God, and used His grace to do his work, he grew closer to God even while mopping the floors and peeling potatoes. *
So, my challenge for you and me today is this: instead of looking at household chores and daily work as undesirable tasks, look at them as opportunities to grow closer to God, and to help those around you feel God's love through your positive attitude. We're not perfect, we won't do it perfectly, but a little better today than yesterday is a step in the right direction!
*Quote and story borrowed from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Weaver, Joanna, Waterbrook Press, 2000.
I highly recommend this book, keep reading through it, the beginning is hard to hear, but the message unfolds beautifully!
What a powerful statement. I have just wrapped up a week of work, proceeded by a week of work and VBS, proceeded by ending the school year, proceeded by leading our youth at church thorough a Leadership program, etc, etc, etc.
While it all started out with spirituality leading me to do these things, sometimes that part of it gets lost in the hast to make sure it all gets done well. But, as Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk discovered, even kitchen work can be spiritual. He joined a monastery in hopes of spending his days in prayer and mediation. Instead, he was assigned to the kitchen, cooking and cleaning. But, he eventually discovered that when he focused on the love of God, and used His grace to do his work, he grew closer to God even while mopping the floors and peeling potatoes. *
So, my challenge for you and me today is this: instead of looking at household chores and daily work as undesirable tasks, look at them as opportunities to grow closer to God, and to help those around you feel God's love through your positive attitude. We're not perfect, we won't do it perfectly, but a little better today than yesterday is a step in the right direction!
*Quote and story borrowed from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Weaver, Joanna, Waterbrook Press, 2000.
I highly recommend this book, keep reading through it, the beginning is hard to hear, but the message unfolds beautifully!
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