Joy in the Mundane

Some days are just a whirlwind of activity. Both boys have colds and I am also trying to get over a sore throat. Everyone was moving a bit slowly this morning. It seemed to take all day just to accomplish math and writing in between blowing noses.

My kitchen floor is still greasy from the vast amount of homemade Italian dressing my precious blue eyed, toddler spilled earlier today. Darling hubby will be welcomed home by an overpowering garlic smell. Thankfully the aroma of beef stew, that has been simmering on the back of the stove most of the day, mingles well with the garlic smell. I just pulled three loaves of bread out of the oven and wondered when I made the dough... this day seems so fuzzy. I sorted, purged, and documented 16 sizes of clothing from birth to 8 years old (yes, I know how many size 2T short sleeved shirts I have, I'm a bit OCD...). I vacuumed only to have to scoop up playdough and elbow noodles off the floor. And while I was blogging I was interrupted by pudgy hands thrusting several eggs at me. My youngest now knows how to open the refrigerator and has been discovering it's contents all morning, hence the Italian dressing. Ugh.

This is not my child but I have experienced this all too often.  :)

Some days I am weary... the rainy weather doesn't help much either. Yet, through it all there is a peace and contentment that comes in knowing that God has a plan for me. Plans to prosper me, not to harm me. (Even though my toddler runs through the house with a plastic sword smiting me whenever I walk by). The Lord gives me a hope and a future even when I have days where I cannot fathom getting through the next hour. I can have peace in my heart in the midst of the blur of activity because I have a Savior who loves me. And nothing happens to me that He does not know about. I ask Him to bless the work of my hands in all that I do... teaching, loving, cooking, cleaning, ministering, writing, blowing noses - through it all I want my life to reflect Him.

Are you bogged down by the every day? Do you find it frustrating that each time you clean up one room there is just another one waiting to be cleaned? Or, perhaps you have finally finished folding the laundry only to be taunted by the now full again laundry hamper because the kids forgot to add their dirty clothes to the pile earlier. Take heart, dear friend. God knows your name and He calls you "beautiful"... even if you haven't showered in three days and are still in your pj's. :)

God says in John 10:10 "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. 
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance".
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Do not allow the thief to come and steal your joy, kill your peace and destroy your hope. God came to give us a LIFE to enjoy... and give it to us to the full. That does not mean you will not have trials, that your car won't break down or that finances will not be tough. It means that He will provide for you according to His will, that He will give you joy in each day if you are willing to look for it, He will give you a peace that surpasses your understanding when you go through life shattering trials. He cares about you and don't for a moment think he doesn't care about the little things.

To illustrate this I will share a story with you. A few weeks ago while cooking with my crock-pot (a beloved appliance that makes life run more smoothly), I noticed the olcrocky was not working well. When I peeked behind the unit I noticed it was sparking. Uh-oh. Not good. I properly disposed of my precious appliance and wondered how/when I would be able to afford a new one. Last night, my husband went out on to our porch and brought in a box... a new crock pot. No note attached, no way to thank whoever blessed me with such a gift but it was a sign to me that God knows, and cares about the small stuff. I did not bemoan my crock-pot's death to a bunch of people. I have no clue who left such a useful, timely, and perfect gift on my doorstep but I thanked God for them last night. I thanked the Lord for caring so much about little, ol' me and my sanity that He led someone to do such a beautiful act of kindness.

So may you remember today that God is REAL.  He cares about you and all of the BIG and little things in your life.  May you find joy in the everyday.

With love,
Dawna

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