Tuesday, November 10, 2009

on faithfulness. quickly, because breakfast is almost over.

My kids were sick for two weeks. They got better, and I caught their bug. Which means that we haven't seen our friends, or been in public, really, in almost three weeks. The toilet is broken, UPS lost a package I put a fair amount of effort into putting together. It's raining outside. It's that kind of day.

I used to think that faithfulness meant only doing big things for God - living among orphans in Africa, adopting ten children out of foster care. Big things. But the more I learn from my Catholic friends, the more I understand that faithfulness is often - mostly - constancy in the mundane. Thankfulness for healthy children, and being present with the two God has already given me. Sharing food with neighbors. Kindness - not random, not extraordinary, but ordinary, predictable kindness - towards strangers in daily life, regardless of how tired or exasperated I am. Jesus said that those who are faithful with little things will also be faithful with big things. Choosing to live out what I already know, regardless of what is convenient or fun, is a lot of what it means to follow Christ.

So I'm sick with two healthy kids on a rainy day. So what. I will choose to believe that this, too, is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

That's what's on my mind today.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

Wonderful post!! I too have had my eyes opened on the "little things" through our study. We missed you last night. I'll send an e-mail today with prayer requests, etc. Get well soon!!!

Heather said...

Wasn't it Mother Theresa who said to do small things with great love?

Lisa said...

Beautifully said. I think that the more we practice faithfulness in our daily lives, however mundane, the easier it will be to remain faithful when God presents us with bigger opportunities/challenges.

leslie said...

I think I have become a facebook addict because my immediate response to your post was to search out the like button :)

Stephanie said...

Thanks guys - Leslie, I find myself looking for a "like" button on blogs all the time.