Sacred Mundane: The Blog

I bend low, down onto my knees, and poke my head under the bottom pantry shelf, the place I’ve been dreading to look. Just as I suspected: mouse poop galore. Just like the space under the sink, in the oven drawer, in the towels, along the backs of every cupboard shelf. It’s just a picture of this season–a time to clean up the fruit of neglect. A busy season means mice creep in and weeds grow up. And now it’s time to do away with both.

It’s been quiet here at home. Which is nice. It had been a long, busy, noisy season and I’m happy for the change of pace. But I also find that slowing down means I notice a lot more.

Like weeds.

And mouse poop.

And a bathtub that won’t drain.

And dusty, forgotten toys underneath beds.

On the one hand, I truly enjoy a slower pace. I’m a home-body and my favorite times are no-agenda days where the kids and I can play and learn and clean and just be. But I also find that slowing down–really slowing down–allows me to notice all the things that, to be completely honest, I’d rather not notice.

Like fears.

And insecurities.

And a restless heart.

And hidden, forgotten wounds that still just haven’t quite healed.

All those things never went away. They just got covered up with commotion, right? And what are quiet seasons for if not to sit in the silence and take a long brave look at all that is broken and still needing His miraculous, healing touch?

And what is silence for if not to wait for His voice that calms all fears and stills all storms?

I think back to the weeds, all those weeds. And how I spend all weekend digging them all up–deep down, from the root. And how we hauled them off in wheelbarrow loads, and how the ground looks so bare and ugly. Like pruning–a whole lot of hard work only to make something look worse off than before.

But how something looks and how something is are two different things, yes?

It is the quietest courage that makes the mundane choices throughout the day to believe God and refuse to escape or distract and to go ahead and dig up all the commotion and take a look at the bare-ugliness and know this: God will plant something beautiful. 

The quietest courage chooses the right thing when no one is watching. The quietest courage says Yes to God as He silently works His heart-surgery in us all day.

The quietest courage is brave enough not only to say, “Yes, Lord, I will go!” but even to say, “Yes, Lord, I will stay.”

Stay in this quiet space and listen, rest, know that You are God. 

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,

Prone to leave this God I love.

Take my heart, Lord, take and seal it,

Seal it for thy courts above.

{May He give you the quietest courage today to stay, quiet, rest, know He is God. Thanks for reading.}

Although our house is ugly as all get out, it’s mercifully improved by a lively patch of landscape adorning the front. There are lilacs, rhododendrons, irises, and a dozen other luscious green things which I cannot name. The whole huge patch is full of green and every time I pull into the driveway I smile–it just looks so full and flourishing and healthy! I love it.

But a few days ago I looked a little closer. 

The kids and I spent most of Thursday outside playing in the dirt. It was the perfect opportunity to admire the flourishing foliage of the front yard so I eased down into the grass and looked a little closer at the plants.

I blinked my eyes. Had I really never noticed? 

It was weeds.

All weeds. 

Sure, a few legitimate shoots were desperately poking their heads above the cacophony of noxious plants, but the rest–by far the majority–were nothing more than enthusiastic weeds.

Really?

My heart sank as I realized that all this time what I’d thought was beautiful, lush, healthy growth was really nothing more than a creeping commotion of impostors. And so wildly had all this commotion grown that the entire patch of landscape was literally overrun with green nets of tangled arms. This was no neat and tidy weeding job. There was nothing to do but set to work with trowel and dig out huge patch after huge patch of weed-infested earth.

The spiders, the infections, the mice … and the weeds. (Was God telling me something?)

After spending all afternoon weeding, I stepped back and surveyed my work. Most of the weeds were gone, it was true, but sadly the result was … ugly.

True, the real flowers were cleared away and no longer suffocated by weeds.But now the space looked sparse, empty even. The patches of bare dirt made the whole space look awkward and blotchy.

Honestly, it looked better when the weeds were there. 

I knelt back down in the dirt, sunk my trowel back in to unearth one last weed.

And I paused just long enough to listen:

This is what the church must do. 

Not my church, or your church–the church. That is, us. 

That is, me.

Bare dirt looks terrible. Almost as bad as blank space. Or empty seats. Or quiet calendars. We must FILL. Must fill the space. Must fill the calendar. Must fill the seats at all cost. But I wonder, How much of that filling is fruit … and how much is a commotion of weeds? 

Commotion. 

I know this word is for me, but perhaps some piece of it can apply to you as well? The truth is that only true fruit will last. Only the real stuff. The legitimate plants. The weeds will be burned up. Gone. But in the meantime, sometimes we are content with our landscape full, flourishing, abounding. But what if it’s abounding with weeds?

Weeds: Any activity less than the pure, authentic, Spirit-led work of God. 

What I was amazed by was how pretty some of the weeds were. I was tempted to let them grow until I googled them and saw how noxious they are. So too, some of our “ministry” can look so pretty, can seem so good, but I wonder–is it merely commotion? Does it choke out the real fruit? Is it simply something to fill the space because bare dirt just looks so ugly?

Plain soil isn’t beautiful.  Is it?

Plain soil is beautiful to a Gardener who loves to grow remarkable fruit. Plain, rich soil is exactly what our Father wants. His hands are full of seed and He is ready to plant.

Will He find any space to plant?

Is there any bare space in our lives for Him to plant His good fruit?

Or have we allowed the commotion of weeds to fill the space, because it looks better?

Is anybody else receiving this but me? Because oh friends, these seeds are getting poked down deep in my heart.

Poked down so deep it hurts just a bit.

How is your soil? Is it full of commotion? Overrun with weeds and activity? Is there any bare soil, just a spot, where the Gardener can plant his perfect fruit to glorify His name?

Perhaps some ruthless weeding is in order today?

Me too.

{Thanks for reading.}

How’s the challenge going? I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, victories, challenges. If you’re just joining us, feel free to check out:

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

Now, ready for week 3? Let’s do it!

Monday, June 4: Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens.”

Who around you is burdened today? In what way could you personally take part of that burden onto yourself in such a way that your friend is alleviated? Perhaps you can carry her burden by listening? Perhaps you can share your resources in such a way that a friend’s financial burden is lessened? Perhaps you can carry a friend’s burden in prayer, laying her needs before the Father faithfully all day. The essence of this day is this: Make her burden your burden. Make her concern your concern. Ask God how you may personally help your friend carry her burden today.

Tuesday, June 5: 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another.”

To encourage is to inspire courage in another. How can you do this today? By a hand-written card? By praying for her? By reminding her of all the amazing qualities you see in her? By throwing a party for someone and showering her with love? By taking the time to just be with someone who could use your presence? Think of someone who might need courage today and consider how you might inspire courage and inspire faith in her today.

Wednesday, June 6: Colossians 3:16: “Teach and admonish one another.”

We like to leave this one to the pastors, speakers, and Bible teachers, but scripture is clear we are to teach and admonish each other. What does it mean to admonish? To admonish is to 1)Warn or reprimand someone firmly. 2) Advise or urge (someone) earnestly. In other words, it is to warn – caution – exhort – reprimand – advise. Well… that doesn’t sound like very much fun! Now here’s the deal, don’t just go reprimand someone just to fulfill the day’s challenge, but do pray and ask God to show you if there is someone you can lovingly share God’s truth with. It  might be the form of a searching question (Can you tell me more about your decision to …?), a truth from Scripture (I came across this scripture today and wanted to share it with you …), a personal story or testimony which illustrates a biblical truth (Can I tell you something that happened to me and what God showed me through it?), or simply a nugget you discovered in the Word (Can I share with you what I discovered?!). However you do it, be sure it is scriptural, and done in love and humility, according to God’s timing and in God’s way. Easier said than done! If this sounds terrifying to you and you’ve never done it before, consider just sharing one verse with a friend. Be brave and be blessed!

Thursday, June 7: Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”

Before you call your friend and leave her a voice mail with a rousing rendition of The Old Rugged Cross, think about what might bless her and draw her more to Jesus. Perhaps you want to send your friend a particular Psalm that God puts on your heart. Perhaps you’ve discovered a new favorite worship song or worship album that really lifts your heart in praise to God and you’d like to buy her a copy or send her a song? My new personal favorite is Rend the Heavens’ new album. Going to their CD release concert Wednesday night–awesome! What do you listen to? Does it draw you closer to Christ? Does it lift your heart up in praise and draw you to your knees in worship? How can you encourage your friend to worship God in this same way?

Friday, June 8: Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another.”

Who do you live with? Is there harmony? Or, who do you “do life” with on a regular basis? Is there harmony in that relationship? Today, take a look at those relationships closest to you–spouse, roommate, parent, child, sibling, co-worker. Is there harmony in this relationship? Ask God to search your heart and know you, to point out any wicked way in you and lead you in the way everlasting. You are not in control of that other person, but “as much as depends on you, live at peace with all people.” Today, take steps toward peace and harmony in your closest relationships, the ones who you usually take for granted, or who usually see you at your worst. Focus there, and pursue harmony.

Saturday, June 9: 1 Corinthians 1:10: “Agree with one another.”

This is one I feel like I’ve constantly reinforcing with my kids. They are so prone to argue about things that do not matter (he called it a donkey but it’s really a horse!). You know what? We’re the same way. We can get so bent on being “right” that we win the argument but lose the relationship. Today, begin asking yourself, “Does this really matter?” Unless it is a core doctrine or someone’s well-being is at stake, just let it go. It is a glory to overlook an offense, love covers a multitude of sins, have nothing to do with foolish arguments. It takes two to fight, so today, consider how you can simply “agree” or keep quiet instead of insisting you are right or having to prove your points. In short: Let it go!

Sunday, June 10: James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”

This isn’t a real fun one either. And I don’t believe we are to just go willy-nilly hanging out all our dirty laundry. BUT, we are to confess our sin to each other so that we can pray for each other. Just last week a friend did this with me, and we were so able to mutually encourage each other, pray together, and be helping each other through text messages all week. Love that! Ask God to show you if there’s something He wants you to confess and receive prayer for. I have done this often and found such freedom in confession and the humility of asking for prayer! Be sure, also, to ask a trusted friend, who you can rely on to not talk to anyone about the issue other than God. And always be sure that anything you share does not break confidence of someone else or put anyone else in a negative light. This is just between you and God and asking a trusted friend for prayer. It can be as simple as, “I’m really struggling with …(this)… right now, can you please pray for me right now?”

Thanks so much for continuing along this path with me. I do pray you are seeing His Word come to life as you put these into practice. Bless you, and thanks for reading!

• Saturday-afternoon nap with my girl.
• Weeding all afternoon with my boy.
• Divine appointments walking right up to my door. Who said being a stay-at-home-mom is dull?
• Victory over the mice!
• My five minute stare-down competition between me and mr. mouse on the stairs while Jeff set the traps. We won.
• “Eve Noel Sternke” introducing herself over and over. Listening to her sing along to Rend the Heavens on the ipod. So fun have her with us this week.
• My husband who goes above and beyond. All the time.
• An epiphany about playdates.
• Kindred spirits.
• A pedicure.
• That real kind of amazing God-connection that’s so rare and so wonderful you can hardly put it to words.
• Choosing home.
• New ideas.
• Wedding pictures.
• Priya and Rachael–what gems!
• Pulled pork. Yes, please!
• Chocolate covered strawberries. Yes, please!
• The house quiet and clean on a Saturday night. Absolutely, please!
• Kids downing 4 lbs. of fresh strawberries in one day.
• Sleeptime tea before bed.
• Watching the sun set out my bedroom window.
• Clean sheets, crisp from the clothesline.
• Simple pleasures.
• So richly blessed.
• Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace.

Happy weekend … thanks for reading.