The other day Jesus went through the washing machine. As I was peeling damp clothes from the side of the washer and lifting them over to the dryer I heard him cling, clang, ting and land with a rattle on the bottom of the washer. Thinking I was going to pluck out a quarter when I reached down, I was surprised to see Jesus on the cross looking up at me from an oval medal. It had been in my son’s pocket from school.
We put plenty of things through the dryer here (Kleenex, stickers, gum, m&m’s, old movie tickets, lip gloss, and the occasional five dollar bill), but this was the first appearance of His Lord and Savior.
He picked a good day to show up. I think I was mid curse as I shuffled the laundry between machines. How did he know at exactly the time he tried to escape the dryer that at the same moment I was wondering, “What the (insert mammoth curse word here) was I thinking planning a day like today”?
But that’s how it is. God (ok, in this case his only begotten Son, Jesus) just shows up when we least expect him, and sometimes when we most need him.
I’ve never been through an ordinary day where at some point I didn’t need a big thump across the head to remind me how crazy-stupid, wonderful life is. And this particular day was filled with an unusual amount of domestic activities … shots of a carpool, a volunteering stint at school, writing some marketing copy, and a couple loads of laundry, followed by a grocery store chaser.
This kind of busyness is business as usual for most women. Throw on a full time job for most, a couple more kids with school projects, and a failing economy, and you begin to understand why most of us are more stressed out and overwhelmed than ever. It’s never enough; we’re never done.
So what’s a girl to do? Well of course, find Jesus. Ok, maybe he won’t be in your washing machine. And maybe you don’t even call him Jesus, but there is bound to be something in your own life that can remind you what a blessing and a privilege it is to live an ordinary life.
A tattoo across the forearm seems a little extreme, but if that’s what it takes to remind you that the ordinary matters, I’m all for it. Don’t send me the bill, but I’d love to see a picture.
Here’s the truth: These kind of ordinary days come to an end. They are an intense period of life that seem like they are going to stretch on forever, especially when you’re up four times with a sick child, or you’re hanging up the last bit of laundry at 12:15 am because you don’t want the no wrinkle pants to wrinkle, or your body is so exhausted when you lay down in bed that you don’t even get in your comfy position before falling dead asleep.
Here’s the truth: You will look back and crave one last carpool, one last school project, and one last midnight run to the store for the bake sale you forgot about (ok, maybe you won’t crave that … I’m pushing it a little far now).
The point is your life is created in everyday moments, even if those moments are jam-packed and beyond busy.
I noticed recently that when people ask me “How was your weekend?” or “How was your summer?” I have a go to answer. I say “Busy.” And I don’t just say it, I draw it out and dramatize it. I say, “Biiiiiiii …. zy” in an exasperated sigh sort of way. I’m not sure when this habit started, but I sure as (curse word here) know that when I get to the pearly gates I should start thinking of a better answer now for when God asks, “How was your life?” Certainly, I don’t want the answer to be “biiiii –zy”. Wonderful, amazing, awesome, breathtaking, lovely, delightful … I can think of a million more words that I’d rather use to answer that question than busy.
So if that’s the case, I better get …. busy. Busy creating a life where even everyday experiences are appreciated even if they aren’t loved.
EXTRA-Ordinary Ideas:
Read It: If you’re feeling frazzled and need a little good advice, this is a quick uplifting read about how to slow things down.
Do It: Find a reminder to cue you to remember what a blessing it is to live an ordinary life. A shiny Jesus who has been through the washing machine, a bracelet, a keychain, whatever works for you.
Think It: “Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human” Tim Hansel
Question: How do you remember to enjoy the ordinary? Leave us a comment below.
