I took the challenge from the wonderful book of Ann Voskamp “A thousand gifts” and started writing down the "ordinary" things that are beautiful to me. The things that I just accept as normal and assume should be there, which I often overlook…noticing the beauty in the midst of my business. Those things which I often even breath a breath of frustration over…like muddy footprints on the marble floor….bits of food under the table….
I made a choice… and started with my list……COUNTING MY MANY BLESSINGS.
As a mother and wife my days are often filled with cooking, cleaning and the regular tasks of caring for my three children and home schooling. Also then added are the team we work with, meetings, hospitality, prayer events and individual care, and my husband often traveling due to our work.
In the midst of the business I often get so entangled in the task of being a good mother, wife and team member that I loose the hope and joy that was set before me. I loose track of enjoying the journey that I am on. Like stopping and smelling the roses, thanking God that my children are normal, they can walk and make these footprints on the clean floor. Picking up the endless dry autumn leaves from the floor of our garden and enjoying the beautiful colors of rusted brown, yellow and orange. Appreciating the blossom petals blown in by the Spring wind and seeing the chocolate fingerprints on the white marble counter, picking up the wet towels from the bedroom floors and being grateful that we have water to take showers with.
How releasing and breathtaking the truth stands out like a white lily shining bright like a lighthouse in the darkest of muddy ponds “GRATEFULNES BREEDS JOY AND HOPE” Breaking through the crust of normal, just expecting or accepting everything but seeing it as a gift…. a gift of love. I do have a few hope and joy stealers:
FEAR:
Joy and even hope has been difficult and far fetched the last few weeks. Fear has come into my heart after a man with a pistol and gun came to our local church and shot up in the air and then at our pastor in the street, while my husband and our team members and friends were worshipping inside. What if they were killed? Oh I do not even want to think of this. What if someone comes to church and shoot at us again? What about our children?
SELFISHNESS:
I have been selfish to guard the little "on my own" time I have to read, write and just be. Often not in joy serving my family and filling their needs to spend more time with them just sitting talking or going to play in the park. Having hope in God that He will provide in all my needs according to His will.
DESIRING AND COMPARING
Reading about my friends at home, their so different life’s from mine. Seeing their shopping fun, visits to spas, woman gatherings and fun birthday celebrations. Going through times when I feel so discontent, ungrateful with my own life here on the “harvest field”. The normal day to day things that I am involved with feeling just overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. Walking through a furniture store and feeling so ungrateful for my second hand furniture and hand me down odds and ends throughout my home.
VIEWING THE ORDINARY AS BORING
I tend to fall into a rut of just doing everything that needs to be done almost unemotional as the task at hand. Touching on just feeling too tired to stir up more emotions not even considering walking the extra mile. Being pleased just with getting the task at hand done.
But to stop and count those things in the midst of business and ordinary tasks that are beautiful, unique and lovely. Being grateful for what I have and making a point of thanking God for all in abundance.
THINGS HELPING ME TO SEE THE LILY OF HOPE AND JOY IN THE DARK VALLEY…
-Listening to worship music while doing the ordinary tasks of every day. Often halfway through these dreaded tasks I find myself praying and worshiping with the music.
-Planning to take a few minutes to sit aside the business and enjoy a cup of coffee in quiet.
-Grabbing my toddler with joy and inviting him to climb on my lap with his favorite book while his blond curls tickle my nose and then after every page he gets a big kiss and hug.
-Organizing with my husband in the midst of his busy schedule so I can have an afternoon off a week where I can go out the house for a walk, go sit somewhere to write and have quiet time.
-Planning my day so I do have little pockets of individual time with each child. Even if it is just a bit of time listening to my pre teen talking about what is important to her.
- Praying and asking for grace and more grace for those tasks that I dread doing. Bringing it before the Lord in faith and hope trusting that He will carry me through.
-Trying to get to bed earlier in the evening so I do have a bit of time to read an uplifting book.
-As hard as it is nothing taste as good as thin! Working on eating healthy, I know that means something different to every woman. But keeping at it.
-Getting up earlier so I can start my day spending quiet time with Him. Reading and studying the scriptures. Praying out the word and sharing my heart of fear, joy and hope with Him.
All these ideas sounds great but the greatest of all these are to make a point and choice to see the beauty and hope around us. To thank Him for all He is, has given and done. Living with my thoughts focusing on Him. Knowing the truth about who He is. Making a choice to focus on this…. THESE ARE THE LILLIES OF HOPE AND JOY IN THE DARKEST VALLEY.
