Magnificence in the Mundane

My friend Jenny hugs her washer and dryer every day.  At least she did when she lived in Cabri. She was, obviously, very  happy to have a  laundry room with an automatic washer and dryer; and in response to her happiness she hugged them. Never took them for granted. Jenny grew up in the Caribbean in poverty; she did not have such a luxury growing up.  I can imagine her happiness, somewhat, with her washer and dryer. I suppose I could relate it to my enthusiasm over our well that we finally got a year and a half ago. I haven't ventured outside to hug it though. I have to say I take my washer and dryer for granted.  It is commonplace.

My washer and dryer have been getting a workout today. I admit I was grumbling when I thought of  the mountain of laundry that needed to be done. Clothes to sort, then the folding, putting away... what was I grumbling about?  Really, I have it pretty good. I have no need to complain.

I decided to take a different approach to my household chores. I determined to find the magnificence in the mundane. The marvellous in the menial. The delight in the dirty dishes. I decided I would   "give thanks in all things"  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

As I did the laundry today, the sorting, the folding, the putting away I thanked the Lord for the clothes we have. I thanked Him for the water we have for doing the laundry.  I thanked Him for my family. As I folded my husbands work shirts I thanked God for my husband.  I thanked Him that my husband is a hard worker and a good provider. As I put my daughter's clothes in her bedroom I thanked the Lord for her. I thanked Him for blessing us with such a beautiful, tenderhearted daughter. When I washed my son's socks, I thanked the Lord for my son and for his good health and for the joy he brings to me.

Washing dishes is another menial task that needs to be tackled daily. But today I did that task with a different mind set. Thank you Lord for the food we eat.  Thank you for the kitchen I have where I can prepare healthy, nourishing meals for my family.  Thank you for my family that I can cook for and with.  Thank you for the hands that help in the preparation and the clean up.

Too often I find myself wishing or hoping for different circumstances.  Sometimes I get tired of the same thing over and over and over. Clean up, put away, clean up, put away.  It's a never ending cycle. But today I think I discovered that the mundane can be magnificent when I decided to let myself see how blessed and fortunate I am to live where I do and do what I do.  I am blessed to be a part of this family; a family who it is a joy to serve.

I still don't think I will hug my washer and dryer though!