Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Finding the Holy in the Mundane


We often let the big ideas, the majestic vistas of salvation, the grand visions of God’s work in the world, and the great opportunities for making an impact in the name of Jesus distract us from taking with gospel seriousness the unglamorous ordinary. Eugene Peterson

Let’s face it, sometimes life is just mundane. The young women are in college where life is a series of sitting in class, going to meals and completing projects. The young mothers change diapers and build block towers for their toddlers to knock down. By the time their child is in middle school, their time is spent in a vehicle, aka taxi cab. When the nest empties they putsy around the house and spend extra time on a new hobby. By then the hair is white, the step slow, and doctor visits occupy a vast amount of time. Is there ever time for the holy?

Daily life is just so “daily,” yet we have a place in our soul that cries out for the holy. It’s the place where God abides – the place from where He is constantly inviting us to come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest (Mark 6:31). For many of us a prolonged rest just doesn’t work. In those times we need to find the holy in the middle of our mundane. 





Steps to Finding the Holy

1. Obey Philippians 4:11

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. When our thoughts are pure and just, the holy can be found in a sink full of dishes and an unmade bed.





2. Extend Grace

The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34:6-7). When your husband is late for the meal you lovingly prepared – extend grace. When your child spills another glass of milk – extend grace. When your teenager’s room displays all the attributes of a tornado – extend grace. When you burn the pan of cookies – extend grace. Extending grace doesn’t negate the need for correction and guidance. It does mean responding in kindness, and in the kindness we find the holy.




3. Sneak in the Holy

The Holy Spirit will teach you what you are to say (Luke 12:12). Talk about Noah’s obedience over animal cookies and milk. Tell the story of the Good Samaritan while bandaging cuts from a skate board accident. My Aunt Posie told me stories while she was ironing. Sing on the trek between the house and soccer practice. Tell the story of David and Goliath with Lego men. My friend, Anne, refused to allow me to help with the dishes after a recent meal. “Doing dishes is a time for me to pray.”

Don’t fall into the trap of mundane day after mundane day. When we strive to reach into our soul’s “God’s place,” we will hear whispered words, Take off your shoes, the ground on which you stand is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). 




Elizabeth Barret Browning penned these words:

Earth’s crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries,

And daub their natural faces unaware...


We have to be waiting in our heart’s meditation, offering grace, and sneaking in the holy moments. And maybe, in anticipation, we can slip off our heart’s shoes, knowing that when we do our part, God sends the holy.


Linked to:
Women With Intention
A Little R & R Wednesday
Thought Provoking Thursdays
I Choose Joy!

19 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Beautifully written !

Marissa Writes said...

I love how so many writers are able to give new perspectives on His truth so that we might see more of Him. Thank you for sharing from your heart.

Marissa

Reading List

Rebecca said...

Yes!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh yes. I love this. I learned in houseful of 5 teenagers that if I was going to make it through with any kind of sanity or holiness left in me, I had to find the holy in a sink full of dishes...and there was a lot of that kind of holiness at that point in my life. ;)

MomMaven said...

So true. Especially when I was raising my boys I 1. tried to avoid the mundane and 2. was constan ly looking for the Holy so I could show it to them.

Godly Homemaker (Andrea) said...

even in the cleaning? :D

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

#1 - so good! I need to reflect on this scripture a lot more and always make sure my mind is align with it!

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

#1 - so good! I need to reflect on this scripture a lot more and always make sure my mind is align with it!

Unknown said...

Lovely. So many good ways to connect with the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.

Jelli said...

I absolutely loved your ideas in #3. I will track down animal crackers next time we have a little extra in the food budget, and by golly next time my kids beg for Dora bandages on their nearly invisible owies, they're gonna get a dose of The Good Samaritan. Why didn't I think of this? Love it, Pamela!

Unknown said...

I just love this--so beautifully written! Thanks for all the great ideas--as a mom of 3 boys, there are plenty of opportunities for mundane!

Unknown said...

I love this post! It's good to be reminded to those things that I really do need to take time for! Thank you for this post!

Unknown said...

You are right that life is mundane. Too often I forget to look for the holy! Thank you for that reminder and challenge!

Melanie B. said...

Thank you for sharing this.

Unknown said...

Love this and the picture of the red high heels! These are great thoughts to think about!
Cathy

Marie said...

Yes, there is also JOY in the ordinary!

@spreadingJOY

Debbie Kitterman said...

Thank you for such a fresh new perspective of adding the Holy to our everyday! I love your ideas in an easy 1-2-3. :) Blessings, your neighbor over at Thought Provoking Thursday.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful perspective of holy living. Thanks for sharing!
Matilda

Sharon said...

Oh this was just lovely, Pamela! Such truth, and I just loved it! I chuckled a bit at the part about us empty-nesters. Just lately my hubby and I have had our share of doctor visits. Sometimes it's just so tedious.

But life with our Lord is a grand adventure. And even when we're not *speeding down the track* - we're still on the Narrow Way!!

Reminded me of this verse:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

Yes, indeed.

GOD BLESS!