*
Watching my three daughters, who are young mothers, navigate the running of their households and caring for their little ones often takes me back to the time when I was a young mother.
Having four babies in five years meant our house was full of activity and constantly in a state of messiness. I remember feeling as if my days were marked by the times I reached for my broom to sweep the floor and clean up. After breakfast sweeping. After lunch sweeping. After dinner sweeping.
One particular day stands out in my mind because I had a melt down, me with that broom moving kitchen chairs to get to bits of bread with grape jelly that smeared as I swept. Without any warning tears blurred my vision. I stopped sweeping and slumped onto the crumb strewn floor sobbing and let out angry words towards God…
So this is it? This is what my life is God? All I do is sweep and clean up after the kids, I’m not doing anything that matters. NOTHING of worth ever came from sweeping!!!!!!
I don’t remember the rest of that day. I’ve no idea how I reconciled my anger with my core belief that what I was doing mattered. But from here, where I am now with my babies all grown, I can see more clearly that even the tedious mundane work is sacred when I do it as unto God.
Brother Mario Joseph, a monk at The Monastery of The Holy Spirit in Conyers GA, said of his daily work:
“If I’m in the bakery God is in the bakery, if I’m sweeping the church, God is in the sweeping of the church”
And Ann Voskamp says it this way:
“One always gets to decide what is mindless work and what is soulful work”
And how exactly do I decide that my work is soulful work?
I think it’s in my focus, the way I view my days, which for me, takes discipline and practice.
So, sweet friends, I’m praying that today, as I get up from my quiet time to start my morning work, I’ll have the “grace to continue in (His) presence”. (17th Century Monk-Brother Lawrence)
And whatever it is your hands find to do today, I pray that for you also.
~Sending Love~
*source unknown
Tom says
April 24, 2013 at 9:02 amThanks Robin for the reminder to make everything we do be soulful. The LORD is in it:) Blessings and fullness of soul.
Robin says
April 24, 2013 at 2:03 pmTom, God really is in everything we do if we do it as unto Him! Blessings to you my friend~
Julie Garmon says
April 24, 2013 at 9:08 amOh, how I remember those days of sweeping crumbs. Endless crumbs. May He be glorified in me–still sweeping on some days.
Beautiful heart post, Robin. So full of Him.
P.S. wearing my bracelet right now:)
Robin says
April 24, 2013 at 2:01 pmJulie, There was never an end to the sweeping was there??? How I wish I could go back for 1 day and tell those tiny ones how much special they are and how remarkable they will grow up to be…crumbs and all
Eileen says
April 24, 2013 at 10:11 amHow well I remember those days when the house never seemed to stay clean! My first three children were 22 months apart and then two years later the fourth was born. I had a break of five years before the twins were born, but during those “when my children were small” years, it seemed as if all I did was sweep and pick up toys.
When reading your post this morning, the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, popped into my head. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Wish I had thought of that verse then as I do now, when I felt that my work was meaningless.
Thank you for this post, Robin! Sometimes even today, I need this reminder. xxoo
Robin says
April 24, 2013 at 1:59 pmEileen, you and I did the same thing, having our babies so close together! Maybe that’s why we both get such peace from simple things now…sending love my friend xo
TeresaL says
April 24, 2013 at 10:34 amRobin, a gentle reminder for me that everything that I speak or do can be a reflection of my faith. Right now I’m in that ‘sandwich’ place of devoting time to helping my children (by babysitting my grandchildren)and also helping elderly parents. Often, too often, I grumble within myself that I have no ‘me’ days, there is always someone asking me to step in and take care of a need. I should be thanking God for the ability to help my loved ones and that I have loved ones to help. My focus gets so twisted at times, I feel ashamed for my whining.
I am wearing my bracelet and appreciate the visual reminder so very much. Thank you for your kindness and the ways you share your faith.
Teresa
Robin says
April 24, 2013 at 1:57 pmTeresa, the place you’re in right now may well be more challenging than when our kids were babies. Sending you love my dear friend and prayers for Gods grace to pour over you and out of you..xo
Bristol says
April 24, 2013 at 11:47 amWhat wonderful words! Such a beautiful blog you have.
Bristol
Robin says
April 24, 2013 at 1:56 pmBristol, thank you sweetie~I’m so happy to meet you! xo
Elizabeth Stewart says
April 24, 2013 at 4:54 pmWhat a needful reminder to me. Those quotes, I need to pin them up somewhere.
Thank you so much for the prayer bracelet that came in the mail yesterday. I love it! If you have any tips on ways you use it, i’d love to know. Much love and thanks to you, Robin!
Robin says
April 26, 2013 at 5:43 pmElizabeth, I’m so glad you got it! I wear mine and whenever I notice it, I say a prayer. If I’m at home I often times get on my knees, if I’m out and about I just take a moment to focus and whisper a prayer for whoever God brings to my mind. Many times I’ve touched the knots and prayed through my prayer list, one name with each knot touched…It’s just a physical reminder to continually refocus and keep my mind on the Father…I pray it is helpful in some small way to you xoxo
Vicky says
April 24, 2013 at 7:01 pmI love the lesson you’ve given us today. Its one I wished I had learned long ago- but am so grateful for your gentle reminder today. Its perfect. I can only imagine how long some of those days may have been, and now, how blessed and sacred the memory of them is. Love you honey~
Robin says
April 26, 2013 at 5:39 pmVicky, you make me realize that so often the sacred is missed until we look back…xoxo
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
May 2, 2013 at 12:42 amVery nice, Robin, and good to reflect on. Much of my work even now is mundane since I’m still homemaking for our family. It can feel like a waste of my education at times, it’s good to get a positive perspective on it.
Robin says
May 2, 2013 at 7:18 amMary, For some reason the perspective that: “if I’m sweeping…then God is in the sweeping” has helped me so much! Sending love my friend xo
Jenna says
August 12, 2013 at 5:36 pmRobin, I know that this was posted almost 4 months ago, but that’s how long it has taken me to read it. I had it saved in my email to go back and read it when I had the time to go through them. Wow, I so needed that today, of all days. Feeling like nothing is getting done on my “to-do list”, I thought I’m gonna stop and finally read my emails. I know that whatever we do, we are to do it as unto the Lord. It is so hard to remember that sometimes. It helps to know that none of us mothers are alone. Everything will get done, maybe 4 months from now, but eventually it will. Ha-Ha! Thanks for the encouragement.
Robin says
August 12, 2013 at 6:07 pmJenna, it’s so encouraging to me for you to take time to comment sweet friend…God really is in the sweeping xo
Linda Wilson says
March 23, 2016 at 8:19 amThank you! I needed to hear this today! Having personal/relationship problems and just knowing that God is in the ordinary things in life gives hope! Have a Blessed Easter!