Everyday Things

I have a little collection of small garden flags that I hang on my front door, changing them with the seasons or my mood. On nice days I open the front door and open the window in the storm door to get some fresh air into the house. So when I’m having a meal, I can look across the table at the flag. 

The one hanging there this month has “Everyday is a gift from God” written on it. I’m sure that whoever designed the flag meant it to say “every day” — two words, not one — “is a gift from God,” but the person who did the stitching messed it up. The copy editor in me has been grumbling about it ever since I got the flag.

But then one day, my perspective shifted. It is true that every day is a gift. The Bible is full of references to the many gifts that God gives us. But somehow, I’ve always thought of those gifts as big and wonderful things.

Looking at that flag, I suddenly became aware of the gift of the everyday. Everyday, written as one word, is an adjective that means ordinary or typical. And what a blessing it is to be able to just go peacefully about my everyday chores. Quiet, ordinary days are surely a gift from God, too. A chance to catch my breath in between the exciting things — and not always happy things — that happen.

Thinking about it, I realize that everyday things are now some of my happy memories. Those Sunday drives my mom insisted we take. (Oh, how boring I thought they were at the time!) Helping her make potato salad for a picnic. Riding my bike to the library to get books. My sons playing, and making messes, around the house. Baking cookies.

And you may notice that the “favorite things” listed in a well-known song Julie Andrews sang in “The Sound of Music” are all everyday things.

They’re not mentioned in the Bible, but I am sure Mary, the mother of Jesus, had lots of everyday times in her life. Even Jesus must have done lots of everyday things while he was growing up. Everybody in the Bible had everyday things in their lives. Even Noah, up until the flood. Things that aren’t exciting enough to write about — but they are gifts from God, the same as all our other life moments.

“Rejoice in the Lord always,” Paul wrote. “I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) And he told the Thessalonians to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). ALL circumstances, Lord? Yes, even when I’m facing this pile of dirty dishes. Maybe ESPECIALLY when I’m tackling this pile of dishes, some quiet time doing an everyday chore. Quiet time to reflect on your goodness. Time to spend thanking you for ALL your gifts, the large and the small. Thank you, Lord, for your gift of the everyday in my life.