We arrived home Saturday night, late. Then Sunday we drove our Grand-Anna back to her parents after having her spend the last week with us in Washington DC.
Brochures scatter the couch waiting for me to begin a scrapbook of our adventure with her. Pictures in the camera, physical memories of our adventure, are waiting to be processed and placed in the scrapbook as well.
Piles of laundry are tangling my every step, I try to reorganize our lives by cleaning and tucking away each item in its proper place.
There are remnants of chips all over the floors, along with grass tracked in from the yard. Evidence of an unauthorized “just-a-few-friends” get-together; and the evidence indicates more than just a few! Now cleaning all that up is on my to-do list as well.
Grass growing as tall as my lower calf, wild and straggly, looking as if it is having an unauthorized party as well; and the lawnmower went into the shop right before I left two weeks ago…and is still there.
I’m ready to scream!
“It is just stuff,” I remind myself, “it is not heaven or hell. It is just little stuff.”
Then the weed-eater doesn’t crank and I’m ready to send it straight to the devil, don’t pass go and don’t collect two-hundred dollars!
Doc hears my frustrations and before leaving for work he checks the weed-eater for me. Of course it cranks the first time for him!
Little mice nibbling away at my happy, roughing up my smooth, calm interior. It’s an infestation of little nibbles. All I can see are the little nibbles.
Pausing, I hear the hawk in the woods calling out. More than likely she has caught a mouse in the field and is cheering her own victory. Such a little thing, but it feeds her and the little ones in her nest.
I’m running around crazy wanting to scream at the little things and she cries out over the little things using them to make her life stronger.
How do I turn this frustration into joyful fruition?
Perhaps it is remembering that I am so very blessed to have enough clothes to need to do laundry; that I have a home that needs tending to and children that need discipline and vacations that train the young mind to see beyond our city limits, that brings the joy and eventually fruition of the to-do list for today.
Pausing, I begin count it all joy.
I count it all blessings, and gifts, and treasures.
“ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3
Chara, joy. “Thou does make him joyful with gladness in Thy presence.” Ps 21:6
It’s in the little things that we can find joy. But to seek it is the secret; To invite the joy into the job.
It’s when we are in His presence then the joy is there in the labor.
And now, the laundry room is Holy Ground, because He is invited in; the chips on the floor that crunch with each step – Holy Ground, because He is there in the midst.
Joy, Joy, and my burden for little things is lifted, because He is there – Joy.
Linking with Graceful, Meme Monday, The Wellspring, Multitudes on Monday, and In, On and Around Monday
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First of all, I love the nickname “Grand-Anna” 🙂 So precious! And I love that you consider the laundry room Holy Ground. So do I. God reveals the deepest truths while I fold clothes (towels, in particular). And you’re right — Holy Ground is never without JOY.
Hugs to you, Di, and prayers for you to catch up!!
Thank you Susan, God has a sense of humor and loves to teach us important lessons in the most unusual places!
Welcome home Friend, I hear 1000 Gifts coming out just waiting for you to acknowledge and count them one by one. “Holy Ground” laundry room of course , where ever feel his presence , his desire to spend time lavishing his love on you. God’s favorite thing to do. Drink him in, fold that laundry, sweep that floor, take in his love as he reminds you of the wonderful time of life you are living……right now. Love you
Precious Teri. I need to catch up with you. The Lord is so present in our friendship
“Little nibbles eating away at my joy…” this is exactly how it happens, isn’t it? I love the way you paused and “battled” against all that discouragement. Oh, the power of counting His gifts. Beautiful post. I’m so glad I found you thru the Wellspring link up today. Blessings as you keep counting. BTW,your writing is so engaging and delightful- feel like I’m standing next to you in your yard.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Alicia It is so very nice to meet you! I hope you will come by again and share in the conversation. ~Di
Oh, amen. His presence brings the joy. Seems like there is always a trade-off whenever the schedule is interrupted for good things. There is always the catch up after. But you have chosen the best way. Keep your eyes on Him 🙂
Thank you, and isn’t it so much easier when He is present?
Diane, Love the ‘nibbles’ analogy. I, too, have days like this, but then have to stop and count it all as joy!
Here it is a week later, but I was in PA visiting my grands when you posted this. When were you guys up this way in DC. ? And you didn’t call us! Next time, call, and we’ll even meet you somewhere!-would love to see you guys!!! Promise me, ok???
Chris! I didn’t realize that you were so very close or we would have called. Your name came up as Doc and I made our way to Arlington to see his niece. We hope to return next year with the whole crew! We will plan on calling you then
~ promise!
Miss you! ~Di
Loved the term “little nibbles”. It reminds me of the little foxes that spoil the vine from Song of Solomon. Diane, I love your words….
“It’s in the little things that we can find joy.
But to seek it is the secret;
To invite the joy into the job.”
Oh my… that’s excellent. I must remember to seek joy in the little things, inviting joy into the job. Then it won’t seem like work. Thanks!
Thank you Barb, Song of Solomon is what I had in the back of my mind when I wrote it.