The Dignity of the Mundane

Feb 20, 2013

“Drudgery is one of the finest touchstones of character there is. Drudgery is work that is very far removed from anything to do with the ideal—the utterly mean grubby things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not we are spiritually real. Read John 13. We see there the Incarnate God doing the most desperate piece of drudgery, washing fishermen’s feet … Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing for ever afterwards. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it, it becomes different.” Oswald Chambers, My Upmost for His Highest

Today I will serve Cheerios, wash dishes, put up pigtails and run to the store. I might even clean a bathroom and do a load or two of laundry. In between all that, I’ll do the ordinary, non-glamorous and non-ideal tasks of running a business.

But if a King could wash fishermen’s feet—and so utterly change the thing with his dignity and devotion—so can I.

To my friends who are neck deep in the mundane with me today, may we wash today’s feet with grace.

Because hidden in the commonplace, we just might discover the hallowed.

9 Comments

  1. Stacey Thureen

    Needed this reminder today, Michele. Thank you and God bless!

    Reply
    • Michele

      Me too, Stacy. Hope your day is rich!

      Reply
  2. Linda Lochridge Hoenigsberg

    Hi Michelle. This reminds me of the book, “1000 Things.” That book reminded me to be thankful for even having the mundane to do! Thanks for this one.

    Reply
    • Michele

      Are you talking about Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts?” She has a unique way of helping us seeing beauty in the ordinary. You can also find her on her blog: http://www.AHolyExperience.com

      Reply
  3. Denise

    Beautifully said, Michele!

    Reply
    • Michele

      Thank you, Denise.

      Reply
  4. Ken Shaddox

    Excellent. Thank you for the reminders that faithfulness in the little things makes a difference.

    Reply
    • Michele

      Thanks, Ken!

      Reply
  5. Uche Unogu

    This post is a blessing today. May we find the hallowed in the commonplace. Thanks

    Reply

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