Praising in the ordinary...

The piles of laundry.

The soapy sink with dishes.

The umpteenth hot wheel car I've tripped over.

The silent tug of Satan playing on the area he knows I struggle in.

I'm learning more and more deeply how to praise God in the ordinary of my life. I was talking with a dear friend a few weeks ago and she mentioned she's reading a book (isn't it awesome she has time to do that? I wish I did heehee) about praising in the ordinary. To bring your heart and focus back to where it should be vs overwhelmed with the piles. Oh the piles. To turn the piles into praise time. A moment to pray over her kids as she picks up an article of their clothing. I love that! I have to be honest I haven't normally done that. Shameful huh!? I normally have the "ugh, I just want the laundry done, half of an ear listening for the fighting in the other room, kind of approach." God though has been tugging at my heart though to remember to praise him and pray over my kids in everything during my day. Over their food as I make their lunches... Literally everything. My friend left after our talk and I had this sense of you know the high "oh yeah this is going to be awesome. I'm totally doing this..." And bam a busted new sense of worth in the home out the window with the first kissed/ failed opportunity to do just that. You know the one... I'm going to approach the next situation with grace and love. Then the yelling happens and you ignore actual listening, and then mom of the year flies out the window. Yep, that's me. God though keeps being subtle with nudges cause every time I turn around this song is coming on, and I keep hearing, " you want better days at home... ones like I designed for you all along then do this..."



I've been reminded that my ministry field is not out and about or successful by how many I minister to, but in everything glorifying God as he has called me. Helping my children. Matching endless socks. Sweeping the floor which feels like always. Picking up after the dog even.

Oh I haven't shared him with y'all yet have I? I need too! It's a pretty cool story!

In it all I notice on the days I am keenly aware of my needing to talk to God all day I defeat the voices that are wanting to deter me from the path I am to be walking. Those are the days I feel I'm actually being productive. Successful and all around free.

Galatians 5:1 says, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV)

It hit me a couple weeks ago at Bible study when this verse was mentioned that by not praising God in my ordinary I am becoming a slave to my day. That isn't what he wants for us.

What we are doing really does matter. We need to be mindful to praise him in our ordinary because to him it's an extraordinary opportunity to be him in disguise in all we do.

Even matching the socks...