“Very ordinary and therefore not interesting.”

That’s how one dictionary defines the word ‘mundane’.

I think many of us can agree that for the most part, the daily cleaning and cooking we do at home for our family are mundane tasks indeed. They can be very ordinary and uninteresting, and are tasks that we tend to think anyone can do easily.

Yet, the cleaning and cooking chores we do—whether as a stay-home mother or not—are what make the home welcoming and comfortable for our family.

Unappreciated Work

Of course, while we might know how essential these chores are, many of us might still think little and lowly of them—and too much and highly of ourselves.

We often look for grand things to do, and look with disdain at these daily mundane, behind-the-scenes things that He has called us to do at home.

As a stay-home mum, it can feel like all I do at times is serve and do mundane stuff day in, day out, with little or no word of appreciation. American humourist Evan Esar once said: “Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn’t done it.”

Outside the home is a different story, however. It is where we can get praise, recognition, and even monetary rewards if we are good at what we do.

And so, we often look for grand things to do, and look with disdain at these daily mundane, behind-the-scenes things that He has called us to do at home.

How Jesus Dealt with the Mundane

If you feel the same way I did about chores, perhaps we can take a leaf from Oswald Chambers, the Scottish evangelist who wrote the classic devotional My Utmost For His Highest:

Drudgery is the test of genuine character. The greatest hindrance in our spiritual life is that we will only look for big things to do. Yet, “Jesus . . . took a towel and . . . began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:3–5).

Read that again: Drudgery is the test of genuine character.

While many of us might feel that the mundanity of daily chores is sheer drudgery—defined as hard, boring work—how we deal with it reveals our character.

Oswald Chambers reminds us that Jesus served. If we call ourselves Christ-followers, we are to follow Jesus’ example of service.

This means serving the people around us, both outside and especially in the home, away from the public eye. This could look like serving in even the most boring and mundane of jobs—such as washing the toilet—and not just jobs we like—like baking (without washing up!).

Too Grand for Mundane Chores?

Our attitude when dealing with the mundane reveals the true story of our walk with God. It shows how much our old selves are still alive and kicking, and not yet crucified on the cross.

Are we too grand to serve our husbands a cup of coffee, or to serve our children by wiping up the mess they made in the toilet? Do we serve our family knowing that we are “working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23)?

Our reaction when asked to do mundane and unglamorous tasks is a good gauge of our spiritual walk and maturity.

Our attitude is also seen in the way we execute our chores. Are they done well or slipshod? Do we do all our work “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (v. 17)?

Our reaction when asked to do mundane and unglamorous tasks is a good gauge of our spiritual walk and maturity.

Will We Serve Like Jesus?

Jesus took a towel and washed His disciples’ feet. We know that only lowly servants did that, which is why Peter protested so vehemently when Jesus wanted to wash his feet (John 13:6, 8).

In response, Jesus said in John 13:14–16 (emphasis mine):

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

For those of us who are stay-home parents, do we see ourselves wasting away our talents and education being stuck at home to perform so-called lowly tasks, or do we see ourselves emulating the high calling and example Jesus has set for us?

Will we esteem ourselves too important and ‘qualified’ to serve our family, or will we serve like Jesus did regardless of the mundanity of chores?

Will we step up to serve only when it serves our needs, or will we serve even when it is drudgery?

Fellow parents, let us look to Jesus, and follow His example of serving. And, as we serve Him in the mundane, may our character be refined to reflect His glory.

This article was originally published in www.buildingupmoms.com. Adapted with permission.

Serene is the wife of Henson, founder of Archippus Awakening (archippusawakening.org). She is a stay-at-home-homeschooling mother of seven children here on earth, and four who are happily in the presence of the Lord. She also has a blog at www.buildingupmoms.com, where she shares practical how-tos in running a house, homeschooling, and raising her children, and encourages Christian mothers to see motherhood as a ministry to the Lord. The family worships at Full Gospel Assembly.
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