Ministry in the Mundane

This past Tuesday, I decided it was way past time to mop the floors. With a super crawler, and two other busy boys, the floors needed it.

So I sacrificed my naptime. My me time. And I mopped those floors. I swept. I moved furniture. I wrangled the bucket of dirty water. I got it done.

And then the kids woke up. My youngest proceeded to spit up on my freshly washed floors. Cracker crumbs were spread about during the after nap snack. Even I splashed dirty water all over myself and the floor as I was trying to be productive and do the dishes.

And just like that, my work was seemingly for nothing.

But it wasn’t for nothing. It certainly felt like nothing, but it wasn’t for nothing.

See, through the small things, I show my family God’s love.

Because God doesn’t just love us in the big ways. Sure, He loves us when He protects us from a drunk driver, but He also loves us when He helps us get to the gas station when the fuel light is on. He loves us when He lands us a big promotion, but He also loves us when He helps us stay awake during the midday slump. He loves us when He gives us beautifully formed children to welcome into our lives, but He also loves us when He gave us spare clothes to put on said child when he vomits all over himself.

Because God shows us His love through the small things, too. Every day. And , truth be told, we hardly even notice.

So when the things that I do that are good and caring for my family go unnoticed or are completely undone before I can even take a moment to soak it in, I’m following in my Father’s footsteps.

Because maybe no one else noticed; maybe no one else cared. But God saw, and He cared. And He is proud.

When I do my work diligently, no matter what work it may be, mundane or exciting, life-altering or status quo, I am bringing God glory.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

– Colossians 3:23

So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a sink full of ministry waiting for me.