Romans 12:1-2
So here’s what I want you to do, God
helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating,
going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an
offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do
for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into
it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be
changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you,
and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always
dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of
you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I know about three people
on the planet who actually like to iron…myself, my friend Jo-Ann, and my
niece Cindy. I probably don’t iron as much as these two women, but I
do my fair share. I like the sharp, crisp appearance of neatly-pressed
clothing. I like how it feels to wear something that has been starched
and ironed. And this does add life to the garments, helps to prevent
stains, and prolongs the number of “wears” you can get between washings!
As
a rule, I don’t iron underwear…but anything that needs a little
pressing is up for discussion in my laundry room! One time, my husband
asked me why I was spending time ironing his “permanent press” shirts. I
told him I didn’t want him to walk into the bank or another public
venue and have someone we know see him in a wrinkled, rumpled shirt and
think, “His wife doesn’t care about how he looks!” I didn’t want
someone to look at his less-than-polished appearance and decide that HE
didn’t care about the details…because I know that he does! In essence,
details matter!
So I iron…lots of things that most folks
wouldn’t. Does this make me a better person? Absolutely not. But it
speaks to what I have deemed to be my determination to embrace God even
in little things. I have taken ordinary, mundane chores like scrubbing a
bathroom, grocery shopping and prepping fruits and vegetables for
consumption afterward, keeping the laundry done and the clothes neatly
pressed…and I’ve made them offerings to God.
When I clean our
house to keep my family healthy and everything in order, I am honoring
the gifts that God has given me – my family and a beautiful, comfortable
home. When I go the extra mile to make sure my family’s clothing is
presentable - or that we have healthy food to eat - I am demonstrating
gratitude that we have plenty of clothing to wear and regular meals on
our table. When I take time to read an extra book to one of the
children before a nap…or to sit and snuggle them for a few minutes…I am
sowing my love – and the love of Christ – into their little hearts…and
letting them know how precious they are to us.
Even when I stop
for a few minutes to talk with our cat, Mabel, and scratch her ears or
stroke her fur, I am demonstrating gratitude to God for this little
furball who has filled our lives with joy for more than 17 years. It
seems to follow with me that when I am faithful and joyful in the
little, everyday things, I am more cognizant of the bigger things…the
blessings - and the responsibilities – that God has given me. I find
that when I focus on honoring God in these seemingly insignificant
things, I am automatically more aware that I must keep my words,
thoughts and actions “clean and neatly pressed,” also.
Don’t
misunderstand me…I’ve had plenty of days where I acted immaturely. I
sometimes get caught up in the pull and tug to fit in with the
culture…and I’ve gossiped, disparaged, and shown out with the best of
them…if only to sit on my duff and say, “That’s not my problem,” or
“I’ll clean that up NEXT week!” But I know better…and so do you! The
more I fall in love with Jesus and understand just how much He did for
me…the more I want to give Him glory and honor in EVERYTHING I do…even
ironing our clothing!
Ironing and housekeeping may not be your
“thing,” but something is! Find out what brings you into closer harmony
with God…and get busy doing it to the best of your ability! Separate
yourself from the culture around you and be the YOU that God has created
and called. Honor and glorify Him in everything you do…from the
biggest, most visible acts to the small and mundane ones. Let God bring
out the best in you…and let others see His glory - and maybe a neatly
pressed shirt or two - in the process!
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label finding joy in everyday tasks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finding joy in everyday tasks. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2014
Colossians 3:22-25
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On a recent episode of CBS’ Sunday Morning*, we were introduced to Gabe Sonnier, an elementary school principal in Port Barre, Louisiana. Sonnier appears to be one of the happiest men on the planet. In fact, the reporter said that Sonnier had “the most contagious smile in Cajun Country!” Sonnier said, “That smile just wants to break out…that’s just me!” What makes this story so remarkable is that Gabe Sonnier began his “career in education” 30 years at Port Barre Elementary School with a totally different office…the mop room.
Yes, Sonnier was once the school’s custodian! In 1985, the former principal, Westley Jones, told him, “I would rather see you grading papers than picking them up.” Sonnier took this to heart, and as the reporter told us, “When he wasn’t cleaning classrooms, he was studying in them.” Sonnier now has a Master’s Degree in education…and he even aspires to possibly become the school district’s superintendent someday. He says he thinks he would like that!
The “punctuation mark” to this story is that Gabe Sonnier still cleans his own office. He could easily order the new custodian to do it. But as the reporter noted…“You can take the janitor out of the mop room, but you can’t take the work ethic out of the janitor”…at least not in this case. And therein lies the lesson for all of us. When we are able to find the joy and satisfaction in something as seemingly menial or insignificant as cleaning a floor, we have turned a significant corner. More importantly, when we recognize that even cleaning our office can glorify God, we have discovered a valuable component of Christian discipleship. It’s not that cleaning is so important on its own…it’s about the spirit with which we do it.
So as I clean my house, I thank God that He has given me such a comfortable, beautiful place to live. I honor Him by keeping it neat and clean. When you clean your room – or your car – tell God how much you appreciate Him for providing you with a means of transportation…a safe ride and/or a roof over your head…and more. When you go to school and study, thank God that you are granted the means to learn and grow in wisdom…that He has given you the opportunity to develop and fulfill the potential He has placed within you. When you go to work, give God thanks for providing you with a job. Remember that many would give anything to have employment and a means to support themselves.
If you are retired, thank God for getting you to this point…and ask Him to show you how and where He wants you to serve and honor Him in this phase of your life. Is God calling you to be a good friend and neighbor…a servant in ministry of some sort…a prayer warrior…someone who encourages others with cards and phone calls…a mentor to young people??? Are you fully engaged in honoring God, showing your gratitude - and sharing this appreciativeness with others? Is it clearly evident that you will not be content with shoddy work…that you consider your “performance” in even the smallest task a reflection of your Discipleship and devotion to God?
Your smile may not be as prominent and continual as Gabe Sonnier’s. But we can all find a way to express our joy and gratitude as we perform every single task to the glory of God. We can encourage others and lift their spirits by demonstrating the blessings of doing good work and giving God our very best.
Gabe Sonnier summed up his life’s work with a sentence that he often offers to his students…“It’s not where you start…it’s how you finish.” What will be said of you? What does your daily “work ethic” show others about your faith? Are you content with shoddy work… or are you offering God your very best in every single task? Do others see an example of God’s blessings and glory in your efforts? Isn’t it time they did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/louisiana-principals-remarkable-success-story/
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On a recent episode of CBS’ Sunday Morning*, we were introduced to Gabe Sonnier, an elementary school principal in Port Barre, Louisiana. Sonnier appears to be one of the happiest men on the planet. In fact, the reporter said that Sonnier had “the most contagious smile in Cajun Country!” Sonnier said, “That smile just wants to break out…that’s just me!” What makes this story so remarkable is that Gabe Sonnier began his “career in education” 30 years at Port Barre Elementary School with a totally different office…the mop room.
Yes, Sonnier was once the school’s custodian! In 1985, the former principal, Westley Jones, told him, “I would rather see you grading papers than picking them up.” Sonnier took this to heart, and as the reporter told us, “When he wasn’t cleaning classrooms, he was studying in them.” Sonnier now has a Master’s Degree in education…and he even aspires to possibly become the school district’s superintendent someday. He says he thinks he would like that!
The “punctuation mark” to this story is that Gabe Sonnier still cleans his own office. He could easily order the new custodian to do it. But as the reporter noted…“You can take the janitor out of the mop room, but you can’t take the work ethic out of the janitor”…at least not in this case. And therein lies the lesson for all of us. When we are able to find the joy and satisfaction in something as seemingly menial or insignificant as cleaning a floor, we have turned a significant corner. More importantly, when we recognize that even cleaning our office can glorify God, we have discovered a valuable component of Christian discipleship. It’s not that cleaning is so important on its own…it’s about the spirit with which we do it.
So as I clean my house, I thank God that He has given me such a comfortable, beautiful place to live. I honor Him by keeping it neat and clean. When you clean your room – or your car – tell God how much you appreciate Him for providing you with a means of transportation…a safe ride and/or a roof over your head…and more. When you go to school and study, thank God that you are granted the means to learn and grow in wisdom…that He has given you the opportunity to develop and fulfill the potential He has placed within you. When you go to work, give God thanks for providing you with a job. Remember that many would give anything to have employment and a means to support themselves.
If you are retired, thank God for getting you to this point…and ask Him to show you how and where He wants you to serve and honor Him in this phase of your life. Is God calling you to be a good friend and neighbor…a servant in ministry of some sort…a prayer warrior…someone who encourages others with cards and phone calls…a mentor to young people??? Are you fully engaged in honoring God, showing your gratitude - and sharing this appreciativeness with others? Is it clearly evident that you will not be content with shoddy work…that you consider your “performance” in even the smallest task a reflection of your Discipleship and devotion to God?
Your smile may not be as prominent and continual as Gabe Sonnier’s. But we can all find a way to express our joy and gratitude as we perform every single task to the glory of God. We can encourage others and lift their spirits by demonstrating the blessings of doing good work and giving God our very best.
Gabe Sonnier summed up his life’s work with a sentence that he often offers to his students…“It’s not where you start…it’s how you finish.” What will be said of you? What does your daily “work ethic” show others about your faith? Are you content with shoddy work… or are you offering God your very best in every single task? Do others see an example of God’s blessings and glory in your efforts? Isn’t it time they did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/louisiana-principals-remarkable-success-story/
Daily Devotional for December 28, 2012
1 Peter 4:11
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today, many in our state are without power, following an epic Christmas Day blizzard. These folks are staying with friends or family members… huddled around a space heater powered by a generator… or bundled up in layers of clothing and blankets trying to stay warm in a freezing cold house. Thousands of support people are working diligently throughout the area to provide safety, emergency medical services, transportation, a warm meal, and whatever assistance is needed. Men and women from our state and those around us are making every effort to clear downed trees and power lines and restore electrical connections.
Whether they realize it or not, all of these people are exercising their gifts and calling on the strength and energy that God supplies to accomplish vital tasks. You may have never considered that providing a warm meal or a place to stay for a needy neighbor or relative was your gift… but it certainly can be! You may not have thought about those who work for utility companies or soldiers in the National Guard as people who are answering God’s call on their life… but this very well may be the case. As I spent a snowy day doing laundry in my warm, cozy house, I thought about the clothes I washed, dried and folded. Believe it or not, keeping a clean, well-run household… and yes, even doing laundry, can bring glory to God when done right! These simple tasks show others that you care about them - and their comfort and appearance.
Cleaning your room and holding up your end of the household bargain, being a good student and doing your best in school, caring for family pets, doing your best as a parent and/or spouse, and working hard at your job can all be considered gifts. When done to the best of our ability, whatever we do can be strengthened and energized by God. And when we give Him our best, He magnifies and multiplies our efforts.
So the next time you start to think of the things you do in a day as routine, mundane or unimportant, ask yourself how well you are performing the task… and whether you have given an effort that God cares to bless and strengthen. Are you using your gifts to glorify Him? Are you giving Him your best at all times? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Today, many in our state are without power, following an epic Christmas Day blizzard. These folks are staying with friends or family members… huddled around a space heater powered by a generator… or bundled up in layers of clothing and blankets trying to stay warm in a freezing cold house. Thousands of support people are working diligently throughout the area to provide safety, emergency medical services, transportation, a warm meal, and whatever assistance is needed. Men and women from our state and those around us are making every effort to clear downed trees and power lines and restore electrical connections.
Whether they realize it or not, all of these people are exercising their gifts and calling on the strength and energy that God supplies to accomplish vital tasks. You may have never considered that providing a warm meal or a place to stay for a needy neighbor or relative was your gift… but it certainly can be! You may not have thought about those who work for utility companies or soldiers in the National Guard as people who are answering God’s call on their life… but this very well may be the case. As I spent a snowy day doing laundry in my warm, cozy house, I thought about the clothes I washed, dried and folded. Believe it or not, keeping a clean, well-run household… and yes, even doing laundry, can bring glory to God when done right! These simple tasks show others that you care about them - and their comfort and appearance.
Cleaning your room and holding up your end of the household bargain, being a good student and doing your best in school, caring for family pets, doing your best as a parent and/or spouse, and working hard at your job can all be considered gifts. When done to the best of our ability, whatever we do can be strengthened and energized by God. And when we give Him our best, He magnifies and multiplies our efforts.
So the next time you start to think of the things you do in a day as routine, mundane or unimportant, ask yourself how well you are performing the task… and whether you have given an effort that God cares to bless and strengthen. Are you using your gifts to glorify Him? Are you giving Him your best at all times? Isn’t it time you did?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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