New Ordinary Days
It's been a minute since I have posted. I had promised to try and post weekly, but sometimes inspiration just isn't there. But I'm back! And after a much shorter break than I have often taken, so I'll count that as a win.
We have been quarantined now for nearly two months. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty ready for some normality; hanging out with my family, a wine night with friends, leisurely grocery shopping, strolling Target, walking outside without fear of getting too close to someone...it's funny the things we think of being luxurious now and what seemed like mundane "everyday" things before all of this.
But that's something I want to take a minute to focus on - the "everyday" things.
Today's "everyday" things are different than they were before COVID-19 and I'm still learning how to be attentive to them in the same way I was learning to be attentive to the "normal" daily tasks.
Over the last year (almost) I have been part of a book club (which has been one of the most life-giving parts of my life) and we have spent a good chunk of our time focusing on reading books that discuss the art of seeing God in the ordinary. Two of the books we read that were particularly helpful were Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren and An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. These books and many conversations (among other things) have helped me learn to be attentive to the holy ordinary that is found in our daily lives. And let me tell you, it has taken (and continues to take) lots of practice. And now we find ourselves in the midst of this new kind of "normal" and I'm finding that I'm having to relearn all of these things again.
In Warren's book she walks you through various parts of a day, starting with waking up and making the bed, and how we can find God even in moments like brushing our teeth and eating soup (not at the same time, of course). Now that my days pretty much all look the same I'm working to get into a rhythm where I am more attentive, even in the mundane of our current days.
Some activities are easier than others, like taking my dog for a walk. I can easily see God when I'm outside and walking around our neighborhood with Lando, but then there's things like washing the dishes (which I hate) and cooking (which I also don't love) that take extra intentionality to really be attentive to. Yes, I can easily come up with things in my head about how those things can be holy or can be activities that I see God's goodness in, but to actually recognize it in the moment is a whole other thing.
Especially when things aren't normal and we feel like we are in survival mode the act of attentiveness can be even more difficult, but what I'm learning is that those are the moments when it can be especially helpful to actually pay attention. Even as all I want to do is crawl under a blanket, forget the world, and watch Netflix.
So, I'm working toward being attentive to the new "every day" things, and maybe you are too. So, here's to being more attentive and not just going through the motions (even when that's all I really want to do). And being gracious to myself when I don't...and when I do.
What activities in your new normal are you seeing God's goodness in? What things are bringing you life during this strange time? Are you noticing God in new/different ways than before COVID-19? I know I am, at least when I look ;)
Peace to you, my friends.
We have been quarantined now for nearly two months. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty ready for some normality; hanging out with my family, a wine night with friends, leisurely grocery shopping, strolling Target, walking outside without fear of getting too close to someone...it's funny the things we think of being luxurious now and what seemed like mundane "everyday" things before all of this.
But that's something I want to take a minute to focus on - the "everyday" things.
Today's "everyday" things are different than they were before COVID-19 and I'm still learning how to be attentive to them in the same way I was learning to be attentive to the "normal" daily tasks.
Over the last year (almost) I have been part of a book club (which has been one of the most life-giving parts of my life) and we have spent a good chunk of our time focusing on reading books that discuss the art of seeing God in the ordinary. Two of the books we read that were particularly helpful were Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren and An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. These books and many conversations (among other things) have helped me learn to be attentive to the holy ordinary that is found in our daily lives. And let me tell you, it has taken (and continues to take) lots of practice. And now we find ourselves in the midst of this new kind of "normal" and I'm finding that I'm having to relearn all of these things again.
In Warren's book she walks you through various parts of a day, starting with waking up and making the bed, and how we can find God even in moments like brushing our teeth and eating soup (not at the same time, of course). Now that my days pretty much all look the same I'm working to get into a rhythm where I am more attentive, even in the mundane of our current days.
Some activities are easier than others, like taking my dog for a walk. I can easily see God when I'm outside and walking around our neighborhood with Lando, but then there's things like washing the dishes (which I hate) and cooking (which I also don't love) that take extra intentionality to really be attentive to. Yes, I can easily come up with things in my head about how those things can be holy or can be activities that I see God's goodness in, but to actually recognize it in the moment is a whole other thing.
Especially when things aren't normal and we feel like we are in survival mode the act of attentiveness can be even more difficult, but what I'm learning is that those are the moments when it can be especially helpful to actually pay attention. Even as all I want to do is crawl under a blanket, forget the world, and watch Netflix.
So, I'm working toward being attentive to the new "every day" things, and maybe you are too. So, here's to being more attentive and not just going through the motions (even when that's all I really want to do). And being gracious to myself when I don't...and when I do.
What activities in your new normal are you seeing God's goodness in? What things are bringing you life during this strange time? Are you noticing God in new/different ways than before COVID-19? I know I am, at least when I look ;)
Peace to you, my friends.
 |
| A photo from my walk with Lando the other day. One of my favorite activities! |
Comments
Post a Comment