Lara Krupicka, She Speaks! Graduate
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37a (NIV)
As I carry a load of clothes into my laundry room, I glance at the breakfast dishes in the sink and the piles of toys in the family room. Here we go again, I think. Another day of cooking and cleaning that will only be repeated again tomorrow. What is the point of it all? Why am I stuck with such a meaningless existence? When will I ever get to spend my days doing things that have a lasting impact?
Everyday life can be so uninspiring at times. I want action and excitement. I want something to happen. But then when it does (like the day the washing machine overflowed into my basement), I get all out of sorts. I have a hard time handling the disruption to my simple routine. This is not the kind of excitement I'm wanting, I think to myself. I grumble and complain my way through the problems that come my way.
When I consider this verse from 1 Samuel, I realize that, unlike me, David had learned the benefit of being faithful in seemingly insignificant work. He did not despise the lonely job of shepherd. Instead day in and day out he patiently watched in the fields, making sure the sheep didn't wander or get eaten. He took his work seriously, and in doing so he trusted God to be with him in the simple task of herding sheep. He didn't say that once he was a mighty warrior like his older brothers were, then he would trust God. He did it right where he was. Then when trouble came to his quiet field, in the form of a lion or a bear, it was God he relied on to come to his aid.
This dependence of David's is what prepared him for one of the turning point moments in his life. He was able to face the giant Goliath with confidence, not because he'd fought in many battles. He could do this because he'd seen God work in the everyday and knew God would show up on the battlefield too.
I still have a lot to learn about dependence on God. Yet I know that as I depend on Him in the routine tasks of my life, He is preparing me for circumstances yet to come. When I turn to Him in the midst of my laundry room troubles, I experience His care for me and I grow in my ability to know that He will "deliver me" from things both great and small. And in my dependence on God, the chores of cooking, cleaning and laundry begin to take on meaning. My life isn't as pointless as it once seemed.
Dear Lord, thank You for being with me today. Help me to see You in the mundane things of my life and show me how You can bring significance to those things. Teach me dependence on You as You taught the young shepherd, David. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well for Less by Lara Krupicka
My Heart’s at Home: Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs by Jill Savage
P31 Woman magazine
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
Application Steps:
As you engage in the rote tasks of your day, take the time to acknowledge God's presence. Ask Him to be a part of your day and the things that your hands find to do. Take even the smallest problems that arise to God in prayer and ask for His help with them.
Reflections:
In what area of your life can you begin seeking a greater dependence on God?
How can relying on God bring significance to the everyday things of your life?
Can you think of a time that God "delivered you from the paw of the lion"?
How can recalling that help you through other circumstances that you come upon?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Phillippians 4:11b, "For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lara Krupicka. All rights reserved.
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37a (NIV)
As I carry a load of clothes into my laundry room, I glance at the breakfast dishes in the sink and the piles of toys in the family room. Here we go again, I think. Another day of cooking and cleaning that will only be repeated again tomorrow. What is the point of it all? Why am I stuck with such a meaningless existence? When will I ever get to spend my days doing things that have a lasting impact?
Everyday life can be so uninspiring at times. I want action and excitement. I want something to happen. But then when it does (like the day the washing machine overflowed into my basement), I get all out of sorts. I have a hard time handling the disruption to my simple routine. This is not the kind of excitement I'm wanting, I think to myself. I grumble and complain my way through the problems that come my way.
When I consider this verse from 1 Samuel, I realize that, unlike me, David had learned the benefit of being faithful in seemingly insignificant work. He did not despise the lonely job of shepherd. Instead day in and day out he patiently watched in the fields, making sure the sheep didn't wander or get eaten. He took his work seriously, and in doing so he trusted God to be with him in the simple task of herding sheep. He didn't say that once he was a mighty warrior like his older brothers were, then he would trust God. He did it right where he was. Then when trouble came to his quiet field, in the form of a lion or a bear, it was God he relied on to come to his aid.
This dependence of David's is what prepared him for one of the turning point moments in his life. He was able to face the giant Goliath with confidence, not because he'd fought in many battles. He could do this because he'd seen God work in the everyday and knew God would show up on the battlefield too.
I still have a lot to learn about dependence on God. Yet I know that as I depend on Him in the routine tasks of my life, He is preparing me for circumstances yet to come. When I turn to Him in the midst of my laundry room troubles, I experience His care for me and I grow in my ability to know that He will "deliver me" from things both great and small. And in my dependence on God, the chores of cooking, cleaning and laundry begin to take on meaning. My life isn't as pointless as it once seemed.
Dear Lord, thank You for being with me today. Help me to see You in the mundane things of my life and show me how You can bring significance to those things. Teach me dependence on You as You taught the young shepherd, David. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well for Less by Lara Krupicka
My Heart’s at Home: Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs by Jill Savage
P31 Woman magazine
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock
Application Steps:
As you engage in the rote tasks of your day, take the time to acknowledge God's presence. Ask Him to be a part of your day and the things that your hands find to do. Take even the smallest problems that arise to God in prayer and ask for His help with them.
Reflections:
In what area of your life can you begin seeking a greater dependence on God?
How can relying on God bring significance to the everyday things of your life?
Can you think of a time that God "delivered you from the paw of the lion"?
How can recalling that help you through other circumstances that you come upon?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
Phillippians 4:11b, "For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lara Krupicka. All rights reserved.
Labels: Contentment, God's Perspective, Homemaking, Identity in Christ, Patience, Perseverance, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
7 Comments:
It's wonderful knowing God is right in my laundry room with me. He has helped me whittle down that pile of laundry and get that pile of dishes washed. I get to praise and thank Him. With the mundane duties of housework, I get to keep my mind on God and His Word. I get to lift up people in prayer and rejoice in His answers. I can listen to praise music or the radio all day long without offending anyone. My time is flexible so I can take time out to go visit someone in the hospital. I love that time with Him. When my family comes home, I have the house cleaned and a nice dinner is almost ready to eat. I do praise God for being able to be home with Him. It is good for me and my family.
Thanks for sharing this today!
I just posted about miracles in the mundane on my blog
proverbs1v32.blogspot.com
last night.
Thank you so much...I needed this today...I was upset about my routine life.. and wanted something exciting and new..God reminded me that the most exciting thing is the fact that Jesus, the creator of this universe, is with me while I'm doing my chores..Thank you once again
Wow, do those first few paragraphs sound exactly like me most days!! I never thought about the parallel of David's shepherding before, but it's a perfect comparison! Thanks for this... it's just what I needed to hear today.
After suffering a major health crisis 3 years ago, my perspective changed. Since then, I am thankful for the ability and opportunity to carry on with the so-called daily grind, those mundane chores. For when I was ill,and could not do them, I was really dependent on others. I thank God that my body is functioning and healthy now, and for His healing and goodness.
I don't take my health for granted. Be glad that you have the strength to lug around all that laundry! :)
I really like the teaching about David being faithful in the simple, and how that time can be growth and preparation for the future giants in life.
Nice Post!!... One day I was doing a lot of complaining....My sweet son who was about 10 at he time came took my hand lead me to the frig. and pointed to this on the frig....It is something I had cut out of our chruch bullentin.
Thank you for the chores...
Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of good food to eat. Thank you for this big pile of dirty clothes; we have them to wear. Thank you for these unmade beds; they were all comfortable last night.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that desperately needs defrosting; it has served us faithfully for a long time. Our family is grateful for the tall grass that needs mowing; we all enjoy our private yard. Thank you for that slamming door; the children are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all the chores awaiting me say that you have richly blessed this family. I shall do them all gratefully.
--Central Christian Church
Waukegan, Illinois
The benefits of being a stay at home Mom was felt through this moment.
Thanks....Rhonda
This was just what I needed today. Thank you for posting this.
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