Say Yes – part 3 – “Dishes and Diapers But Still Walking!”

I have already shared with you in previous posts my thoughts about “Walking in the Yes!” Again, the “Yes” that I am referring to is your response to Father God’s story – his pursuit of your heart, his gift of life, and his constant desire for a conversation with you. One of the first steps in this relationship is our focus and attention in the midst of our day to day. Through the words of Romans 8, Bebo Norman and Brother Lawrence, I encouraged you to “open your door to him, cry out and lift your eyes to him, and abandon yourself in his hands.” And then I reminded you that he is already there – loving you! So, this month, I wanted to take you a step deeper into the conversation. And I would like to begin with Brother Lawrence.

Living in the 17th century, Brother Lawrence is an interesting character. He served in a French monastery in Paris during his adult years and worked in the kitchen – cooking and cleaning! It is from this place of service that he experienced sweet communion with Father God. A little book called Practicing the Presence of God chronicles this experience. Check out his perspective and ask yourself – Do I have such a frame of mind when I clean the dishes, put the laundry in the dryer, tie shoes, pick up the house, change a diaper, etc?

“For me the time of action does not differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are together calling for as many different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as when upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament” (97).

“Use yourself then by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion, but act with a general confidence in God, with love and humility” (46).

I celebrate Brother Lawrence’s perspective. I am full of day to day mundane, you know. I am not full of quiet moments of lengthy bible study and prayer. I am not too far from crazy on most days; I can’t even remember what it feels like to have such quiet time. I can never plan for my moments of quiet, because as soon as I do someone gets sick, needs my help, starts fighting, won’t stay in his/her bed or forgot something. My moments of quiet actually, usually occur while I am doing something else – rinsing the dishes, drying my hair, taking a shower, etc. I guess that is why I resonate so with him. He was in the midst too, and he received the “more” I want. I believe he walked in the “yes.” Let’s walk too!

The next step in our walking has to do with weaving and reaching. Weave Father God into your day to day. Amidst the tasks that never end, seek him out. Reach for him in prayer, recite a verse in Psalm, sing a chorus from Sunday, etc. Reach for him with your questions – what is on your mind, Father? What do you think about this? How should I handle this situation? And then listen. Reach for him with your heart desires – “Father God, I want more – more peace, more life, more of you. Overwhelm me with your extravagance. Show me who you are. Bring me to new places of intimacy. Be near and real. Help!” He promises to always draw near. He promises to answer. He promises to walk with you. Reach for Father God!

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3