Daily Delight

“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you.” -Deuteronomy 28.47-48 (ESV)

 

The everyday, mindless tasks may seem like a “yoke of iron on your neck”. You’ve probably heard from older and wiser women that Jesus can be found in the laundry. Yet, as you find dirty socks thrown near the hamper, Jesus is the last thing on your mind.

 

So, what do you do? How do you find Jesus in the leftovers? How do you find meaning in the mundane?

 

I used to go about cleaning and grumbling for all to hear, “I’m just the maid!”

 

There was “no joy or gladness of heart” and cleaning turned into torture for all. Is this really the abundant life promised? Yes, it is! I’m now all for the toilet cleaning life because my heart turned. I learned the forgetful events must be lived with intention. It is only when we see Jesus in every moment that it turns meaningful.

 

I dread making the same PB&J sandwich for the kids, but I do it because it provides daily nourishment. It reminds me to be thankful for provision and for the mouths I have been given to feed. Jesus is in this nourishment and in the thanks.

 

I want to leave a legacy of joy and gladness straight to God through the ordinary. What I label as mundane becomes important, even sacred. Jesus is there. He will provide all the nourishment needed to complete the good works, which gives glory to God and shines His light on the tiny hands ready to make their next mess that you just cleaned up.

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5.16 (ESV)

About the Author

Jennifer Jahn

Jennifer is an almost-39-year-old born and raised in Southern California girl. The low 70's are too cold for her and the high 90's are too hot! She is the wife to a pastor and mom to four. The family is a home school family and just recently officially adopted their 18-month-old son. They live in Hesperia, CA surrounded by an awesome church community, lots of dirt, and two goats - Espi and Peter.

Jennifer has a heart for young ladies to know they are fully loved and delighted in by their Father God. She yearns for all wives and moms to know how valued they are at "just" being a wife and/or mom. She wants fellow sisters-in-Christ to know their first ministry is always the ministry of the home.

Her favorite things to do are siesta time (mandatory in their home), reading, writing, and planning get-togethers that revolve around food. She loves to skip the small talk and ask the big questions over dark-roasted coffee. Every morning, Jennifer prays a prayer of thanksgiving for His grace and mercy and to do better each day pouring out the same upon her home.