How to Find Joy in the Mundane

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Wow, this past season has been so full and, I am glad it has passed. Days and weeks on end brimming with activity have pulled us past our places of comfort. It was a very busy season.

The lazy day’s of summer has now ushered in slow evenings on the deck spent enjoying the cricket’s songs and the comfortable company of solitude.

My husband and I were making plans for the upcoming weekend when we realized we had no obligations to deal with, and nothing exciting had presented itself as an option for entertainment. But the absence of options forced us to face the hard wall of mundane.

We laughed that we could get the laundry caught up or do a month’s worth of meal preparation. Then we both hung our heads and sighed because that did not sound like fun. We felt a little sorry for ourselves that life halted to a much-needed stop and handed us humdrum to handle. How drab!

Let us not Become Weary in the Mundane

Paul, in our verse for today challenges the Galatians and us, to keep our standards of doing good and trusting God, even when we don’t feel like it.

If we ask ourselves why the mundane matters, the fruit of the Spirit as shared with us in Galatians 5:22 gives us an extraordinary answer. We are to use these traits in all areas of our lives, even the simple ones.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

Does God Care about Mundane things?

Does God care if I am bearing the fruit of the Spirit while cleaning the toilet?

Is it necessary to be patient with my husbands attempts at matching the socks?

Who cares if I am grumpy while fixing another boring dinner?

I believe the answer is yes, God does care about all of this. This is about our attitude. About not sinning in our thought life. About being filled with the Spirit in all circumstances.

Reaping a Harvest of Extraordinary!

Even in these small, seemingly non-essential tasks of life, we are wise to complete them with great joy. Even these mundane tasks that when done with a sensibility pleasing to the Spirit, will indeed produce a harvest of extraordinary.

A clean house is a happy house. An uncluttered house goes a long way toward sparking joy in my soul.

I most certainly do not want to become a quarrelsome wife, therefore patience is a most pleasant virtue.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9 (ESV)

I love food. Preparing a well-seasoned meal creates more than sustenance, it produces an evening of shared laughter and stories.

When I do the mundane even when I don’t want to, I am closer to who Jesus is. I am choosing to be like Him. A servant who came to serve others.

The mundane chores in life can become an act of worship.

Here are three practical ways that you can turn your mundane chore list into an act of worship:

1. Sing, dance and whistle while you work. I often catch my youngest son whistling or humming while he works, especially when he is cooking. I can see the joy in his countenance when he does this.
2. Change your mindset from this chore being something you have to do to something you choose to do. Become the attitude you want to be around.
3. Savor a job well done. It is OK to give yourself a pat on the back for doing a job well. Stop and enjoy the clean house, wiggle your toes in those matched up socks and savor a meal made with love.

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

Joy does not need a miraculous moment to manifest itself. It is all around us and in the everyday quiet moments of our existence.

• 

• 

• 

What is your least favorite chore to do? Have you ever turned it into an act of worship? I would love to hear how you find joy in the mundane.

Heavenly Father, the giver of all, we thank you for the simple things in life and worship you as the Creator of infinite beauty. We seek your light to shine in us and show us places where we have gone weak in doing well. Help us to continue to feast on the fruits of the Spirit to fill us with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. We glorify your name in every aspect of our day. In Jesus’ name. Amen

The selected Optin Cat form doesn't exist.

One way I find joy is to journal every day. I use the One Line A Day journal to write a sentence or two each day, often noting what I am most grateful for.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.