All in a Day’s Work
courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
I usually clean my house and do the laundry on Fridays. But if someone suggests something more interesting (and fun) such as a walk, lunch out, or a movie, well I’ve been known to drop the dust rag, stash the vacuum, and leave the dirty clothes in a pile–with a promise to catch up later.
But last week no one came to my rescue! As I busied myself in each room I received an unexpected invitation–from God! I felt prompted to pay attention to what I was doing instead of simply going through the motions. I took time to look at each photo and painting and piece of furniture and to enjoy mopping the hardwood floor and polishing the dining room table that I love.
In the living room I stopped in front of my glass-front cabinet and admired and gave thanks for the many family treasures it holds, from baby shoes to an old bible, a quilt my husband’s mother made eons ago, a dictionary from my grandfather on my eleventh birthday and many others. It’s easy to weep at such a sight and all the memories these lovely things represent.
As I left each room after brightening it up I felt lighter and brighter too. I was reminded of Brother Lawrence, a Christian lay brother of the 17th century, who lived in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. He was assigned kitchen duty and at first he dreaded it but then in his desire to serve God he found that every bit of straw he swept and every pot he washed became an act of love. Mundane tasks were suddenly more important to him than daily prayer time in the chapel.
I’m still thinking about this, days later. Could every one of my thoughts, words, and actions–from morning till night–become an act of love for God? What a life I would have. Hmmm! Can I do it? I want to.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)
And while I’m at it, I could give my soul a good cleaning too.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind (1 Peter 2:1).
Such a wonderful post, Karen. I’m in the same mode, seeking a new heart to love God in the midst of doing things I used to find laborious. I’m not quite there yet, but there is a glimmer of hope. I have to say, I finished your new book last night, Lord, How Did I Get This Old This Soon? and LOVED it. Very different from your other work, but this feels like sitting with you and talking over the nitty-gritties of life in the most honest way. I know you better now, am so impressed with how you live your live, feel the pain of your struggles, and a deep appreciation for your life of determined faith. KUDOS, Karen. I do love you!
Virelle
What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. I’m humbled by your words and I do love you too.
Thank you for this wonderful post, Karen. It’s a poignant reminder to savor every moment life gives us. Every moment becomes a God-moment. Bless you, my friend.
Thank you, Michele. I love knowing my post encouraged you just as your writing always encourages me.
Dear Karen Thank You I loved hearing again about brother Lawrence and yes everything is a prayer really Love Wendy Keep up the good work I so look forward to your articles every week xxx Kathleens friend
Thank you, Wendy. Though we’ve never met in person, I consider you my friend too. 🙂
As I was reading your blog, Karen, I started thinking of Brother Lawrence before you even mentioned him. Thanks for the reminder to do everything as an act of worship instead of just racing through chores.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)” this was my theme verse when I first became a Christian.
How cool to hear that Col. 3:23 was your theme verse years ago and tonight at recovery I discovered that Dave’s verse is John 10:10. “My purpose is to give you life in all its fullness.” It is mine too and I have it framed on my desk.
Dear Karen, what beautiful thoughts you have shared with us and I thank you for bringing back good memories! I too ‘loved’ Bro. Lawrence, what a humble man, and my Dad reminded me of him! I too have some treasures from long ago that I cherish and enjoy looking at them while cleaning/ ( I am afraid I can’t do much cleaning anymore but I can still “look”!) In the book I am writing about my life and the Houses Where I Lived I am listing at the end of each chapter the things I still have that my parents had at that particular house. For instance, I have the iron bed in which I was born and it is now in the guest bedroom where I live with my daughter and son-in-law. I have a hand made table that is in our kitchen that was made the year I was born. I was born during the depression and we received mission barrel’s and I still have and enjoy wooden doll furniture that Mom said I got out of one of the ‘barrel’s’ as I always looked for a toy in them!! My granddaughter’s sure enjoyed playing with the furniture. It really is a joy to see these things and to clean them while cherishing the memories. THANK you, my ‘treasured friend’ for these reminders and how grateful we should be~thinking on good things!
Love to you with great blessings for a wonderful fall!
Margaret
Margaret, what a lovely comment and share about the treasures in your life. I wish you and Charles had had an opportunity to look at the items in our cabinet–many from Paducah. You’d have enjoyed talking over old times since you were both born during the Depression. Thank you always for your prayers and good thoughts for me.
Dear Karen, another beautiful post. You have so much I can learn from to better myself. For example, dusting. I should start enjoying it like you do. … I also loved how you related mere dusting chores to how Brother Lawrence learned to treasure his kitchen job … Your writing is so poignant and beautiful. It lifts up my spirit and enhances my English! And I also want to thank you for having introduced to me Brother Lawrence’s book, Practice of God’s Presence … I’ve ever since loved reading it. His spirit and writing is still heart-touching today … I even took it with me on my August trip to China! Thanks for everything, Karen. You’re awesome. Jing
Jing, it’s good to hear from you again. I hope your trip to China was rewarding and happy. I’d love to hear about it and to see some of your photos if you wish to share them with me by email. I’m happy to know that Brother Lawrence’s book has been a blessing to you as it has been to me.
I’m glad you had such a meaningful time focusing on each item as you cleaned, Karen. Yes, that could be a somber time; but it sounds like you were able to enjoy and rejoice in the memories behind each treasure. Thank you for the reminder to live ALL of life as an act of loving devotion.
And I’m just gonna have to kidnap you one of these Fridays to give you a good reason to set the cleaning and laundry aside – temporarily!
Carol, thanks for your comment. I’m open to be kidnapped some Friday soon!! Hope you and Don are having a lovely ‘birthday honeymoon’ in HI.