Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Monday, September 4, 2017

Living An Ordinary Life


We live an ordinary life.  We work, we cook meals, we wash dishes, do laundry, clean our houses, care for our children, and grandchildren.

Sometimes we can feel as if we are not 'doing' anything of value.

Often we feel as if our work and our lives are unseen.  There is a desire in all of us to be seen and to be known.  So much of social media is about this.

There are so many things out there that make us feel as if we must be doing something that is noticed.

 Living an ordinary life is seen as boring. 

 But look at what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.


How often during my day am I thinking about walking in love toward others, living a quiet life, minding my own business, working with my hands?

Those thing pretty much describe my days.  Preparing food, encouraging my husband and helping him, teaching my kids, hosting people in our home, helping a neighbor or friend.


Paul says that these things will help us to lack nothing.  God is honored when we seek Him, love Him, and love others.

Its pretty simple and ordinary but of such great eternal value in our own lives and in the lives of others.

13 comments:

  1. Social media is pretty deceptive, I think.

    "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands"

    Wise, wise, wise...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sandi. I needed this as a reminder, myself. We are studying it during Sunday School.

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  2. Love this, Deanna. Being extraordinary is highly overrated!

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  3. This sounds like my kind of happy life!

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  4. Great post. It's not what others think of us, but what G'd sees that matters. Our charge is to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Easy to forget this in our celebrity driven world, but it's what I need to keep remembering day in and day out. Hugs to you, blog friend.

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    Replies
    1. Hugs back, Carol. I believe as you do, in the charge we are given - do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

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  5. This is so true, Deanna!! Ordinary living seems so . . . well . . . ordinary sometimes. And yet it is in living our ordinary moments in obedience that we are offering up a sacrifice that is pleasing to Him. Thank you for this reminder!

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  6. Yes, that's why I like to remind new moms that have the privilege to stay home to not say, "I'm just a housewife", but a homemaker!

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  7. I have been reading out many of your stories and i can state pretty nice stuff.
    I will definitely bookmark your site.

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  8. Awesome and interesting article. Great things you've always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post. fussmatte

    ReplyDelete

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