I lost my keys
In the great unknown
And call me please
‘Cause I can’t find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I’ve got to trust You know exactly what You’re doing
Might not be what I might choose
But this is the stuff you use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines
While I’m running behind

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I’ve got a new appreciation
It’s not the end of the world

Francesca Battistelli
Songwriters: Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin, Francesca Battistelli

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

If I had to choose one word to describe my life, I would have to choose the word ‘busy.’  But within the busy of my life is a fair amount of routine—certain things happen at certain times each week, tasks need to be completed over and over again, kids need to be fed, clothes need to be washed, bills need to be paid.  My busy can become very mundane.

Earlier this year I heard something that has stuck with me.  I don’t remember where I heard it, or who said it, but God has been shining a light on this theme consistently: ‘Find beauty in the mundane. ‘  The everyday happenings, the losing of keys, the washing of clothes…find beauty in it all.

I had a client tell me the other week that she loved ironing.  I’m sure I gave her a confused look, because she followed by saying that there is something about taking a wrinkled piece of fabric and working with it until it becomes something beautiful.  Now, I’m not going to say that I look at the pile of clothes needing to be ironed and see a work of art…but I understand what she is saying.  It is so easy to get pulled into frustration and irritation when we think of doing the things we truly dislike but that still need to be done. Whether it is work, or home, or church, or any other responsibility, there will always be a level of mundane we will be working with.

The days when I’m rushing to work, the days when I am struggling with motherhood and with being a wife…there is some mundane that life can be sometimes, a lot of the time.  All of these are tools God uses to show us who He is, to show us His love, to show us how blessed we truly are.  I can’t help but to wonder why I cannot find beauty in the mundane. Who said that I can’t look at a dirty kitchen or living room and see the beauty I can make of it, the beauty I can bless my family with.

As a counselor we’re taught to help our clients re-frame, or, look at their situation from a different perspective.  We have to help people think of ways to see the world and their situations differently.  But God!  But God gave us a book filled with ways to see the world as He sees it.  Verse upon verse about learning to love the mundane.  I am going to make an intentional effort to look at life differently, and consider what God might be using to speak to me….

Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Let’s pray: Lord, help us to see beauty in the mundane.  Help us to see You in the ins and outs of daily life.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.