God Delights in These Too

"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things," the pastor said.
That was a fact I couldn't attest to a year ago. A truth I couldn't even fathom back then.

Like most things in my life, I had to learn it the hard way. But I'm glad I did learn, anyway.

When I embraced Christianity, I wasn't like most people – trying out a new adventure and dropping along the way if the journey soured.

I left Egypt with only one thought – to reach the Promised Land, come hell or high water. Prayer became my food, serving in the church my blood, and quiet time my obsession.

There was no joy greater than involvement in church duties. In the church, I was faithful and dependable, never complaining or whining.

And it paid off in ways beyond my expectation. My zeal separated me from youthful passions and led me to the most awesome husband, laying a foundation for the home I'd always fantasized about.

No joy greater than involvement in church duties, yet I spent the last year on a sabbatical from serving in the church. What had happened?

It was something similar to what had led Matt Redman to write the evergreen, More Than a Song.

One evening, our pastor, inspired by a sad incident whose details I won't bother you with, challenged us, married women, to find avenues to worship God in our homemaking careers.

On return from church, I took stock of my homemaking and was found wanting. I can't say I was a terrible wife, but I wasn't a good one either.

It had never crossed my mind that serving my husband and children was worship to the Lord. In majority circumstances, wifehood and motherhood were a drudgery I had to endure simply because I was married with kids. I could neglect them whenever the church door opened.

This led to many ugly, verbal bedroom exchanges with my husband, and more than once, I accused him of hindering me from serving the Lord.

The next morning, I began a purpose-driven homemaking career. To make it more impactful, I requested from my pastor a one-year leave from my church roles. It was a huge decision, with every voice of my negative emotions screaming no, but I think the Lord wanted me to appreciate his pure delight in me.

I chose to see worship everywhere – from cooking, to laundry, to shopping, I thanked the Lord for the opportunity to worship through blessing my husband and children.

From sewing to mending to singing and playing with my girl and boys, I couldn't help but praise God for his faithfulness.

He'd promised me a home and had delivered on his word. Until then, I'd never seen his love so manifest. Every ordinary activity took on a new, joyful meaning and opened a door for worship in word and action.

The results were astounding. I complained less about my husband and grumbled less against my kids. And I loved myself more as my confidence as a faithful, godly homemaker soared.

Without realizing it, I developed a new passion – learning new skills necessary for better performance as a wife and mother.

Thank God, my sabbatical is over. But as I resume my church roles, there's a new perspective. In God's sight, my activities in the Body of Christ do not surpass my services to my family.

I know without a doubt that he delights in my homemaking the same way he enjoys the praises of his people when I lead worship in the church or teach a Sunday school class.

Now, I'd not just say, 'there's a lot of beauty in ordinary things', but, 'there's a lot of worship in ordinary things'.

Daily Bible Verse