Monday, June 18, 2012

Mundane and Beautiful - Proverbs 31 Woman



Psalm 54: 4 " Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." 


I gather my energy to begin the day. It's no easy task. My body doesn't want to co-operate with me and my list of things to do is ever growing. Before I can begin for the day - I must finish those tasks left undone from the day before. There are dishes in the sink. Abandoned cereal bowls - spilled milk - crumbs discarded,  have been left to rest where they lie as the children blissfully ignore the destruction they've left in their wake. 

I see the mountain of laundry waiting for me. Some of it is clean and simply needs to be put away. It won't happen without my asking - demanding even -  that the boys carry their freshly laundered clothing to their rooms. I'll need to follow up to be sure it is placed carefully in the drawers.

Sometimes I wonder if these children of mine walk around with their eyes closed.
How can they not see the mess they create?
When I say this out loud - I'm met with blinking blue eyes and vacant stares. Who me? What mess? 


I'm weary, overwhelmed, broken down. There isn't enough time in the day - or energy to even put a dent in the tasks at hand. I often wonder how long it would take for them to notice if I just stopped doing the everyday things that must be done to keep the household running. 
Would they see? Would they begin to pick up the slack, lend a hand without being told?  

My brief experiment with this notion did not bode well. 

A mother's work is never done. 

Although I love my family - I must remember it is not them I serve daily. As I sweep up the floor, put away dishes, and start more laundry.  I put on some praise music to lighten my load. My spirits lift with the voices and the music.

 I serve a living Savior

Col 3: 23-24 
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: 
for ye serve the Lord Christ."



Suddenly the mundane doesn't seem so irrelevant. I begin to see the beauty around me. I smile as I see the pride on the face of my little one because he put his clothes in the drawer all by himself. We check off the list together - and I know that they are learning to care for our home, to appreciate hard work. 

On our list today is to bag up clothing that the boys have outgrown. We will take it to the shelter to share with those in need. We are blessed to have extra clothing. We have running water, air conditioning and food in our bellies. The children are learning to appreciate what they have and to care for others.

I hear this as we bow for lunch and they pray - thanking God for His provisions. God is good. 
As I clear away the lunch dishes and remind the boys not to run in the house - my cup runneth over and I love knowing that we will do it all again tomorrow. 

This mundane life God has blessed me with is beautiful. 


Isaiah 66: 12
"For the Lord says, See, I will make her peace like a river,
 and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream,
 and she will take her children in her arms, gently caring for them on her knees."




*and I count to #1000 and beyond: 
#320 - #329 
- praise music lifting my spirits 
- more crumbs means we have food to spare
- little boy prayers at the table 
- clothing we need
- growing boys because they are healthy 
- hard working daddy providing for us
- summertime at the pool 
- ocean breeze and time to enjoy it 
- air conditioning in the tropics! 
- finding the beauty in what seems mundane 


   
                            

Join Amanda and I and link up your Proverbs 31 Woman posts about home and family! 





12 comments:

Unknown said...

This was beautiful. How precious to be open and honest about our short comings and finding ends of ropes, only to lift others up by showering His light and goodness and Truth. Well done, sweet Kelli. :)

Thank you for posting this and also for joining the link up over at From My Mountain View, "Moms Against Manic Mondays." This is truly my heart for this link up. Thanks. <3

With love,
Rebecca

Holly said...

I'm going to post that waterfall on my fridge and every time I look at it I'll think of your wonderful post!

Blessings...

Visiting from Rebecca's hop.

Unknown said...

Thank you both! So encouraging to hear from you - I'll be visiting your blogs - happy to join the linkup!

Unknown said...

Hey Kelli! I linked up and I also added your hop to my list of link up parties, if that's alright! :)

Thanks!
Rebecca
FromMyMountainView.com

Amy Denson said...

Wonderful post. I'm sending it to my friend out of town with 5 little ones. And I want to encourage you that they will "see" the mess better as they grow older. :-) you may still have to encourage...demand... that they clean up- but they will know how and they will do it because they care about you and their home.

Unknown said...

Awww - thanks Amy - that is good news! :) You'll be happy to hear they pitched in quite well yesterday and felt right proud of themselves.

Alecia Simersky said...

I often wonder if my own kids walk blindly around, bc they are completely oblivious to the mess left in their wake! Things get ugly when I forget Who I serve, and sometimes i get so caught up in the to do list that I forget. Thank you for this beautiful reminder!

Anonymous said...

Kelli, you have given us such a lovely example that joy is a choice. That we choose how we see life. Thank you for this.

Susan said...

Hi Kelli,

I'm hopping over from GDWJ. Loved reading your thoughts, and you're so right -- mundane IS beautiful when your focus is on what really matters.

And it's obvious that yours IS.
Blessings and hugs from VA,
Susan

caryjo said...

You're seeing and doing things through the heart and eyes of our Father, and that will plant seed in the hearts of your kids. Growing with and through Him is what matters, and you're are walking that direction faithfully.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

The truth of our living Savior turns everything upside down. You are so beautiful, you know it? Love your radiant, Jesus-chasing heart.

fanta4two said...

Three boys! I'm trailing alongside you with two of my own :)

I love to hear how other moms spend their days, makes me feel so much more normal!!

Thanks for taking the time to share your heart. This was thoroughly enjoyable.

I've surfed on in from Manic Mondays and super glad I did.

Have a blessed day!
Patty from www.fanta4two.com