Day Six: That she would find joy in the mundane
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. –Ecclesiastes 6:1-2
It is a terrible evil to not be able to enjoy the good gifts that God has given to us. There are many things that our wives do every day that are tedious and mundane. Consider all of the things that your wife does today, that she also did yesterday, and she will probably do tomorrow. It is a grace for her to find joy in these things. In the middle of her everyday work she can be tempted to let her mind wander to more exciting things and her heart to become dissatisfied. The only rescue from the “meaninglessness” of life under the sun is to find our ultimate meaning in Christ.
Then, and only then, is the humdrum able to be truly enjoyed.
Gracious God, I pray today that you help my wife to find joy in the mundane. I know it is a curse for us to have many of our hearts desires but not the ability to enjoy them. Lord, I know that ability comes from you. Capture my wife’s heart with a deep delight in the simple things of life. Help her to find joy in you as she does the dishes, tends to our children, cooks supper, and all of the other routine things that she does. Help her to enjoy the gift of life and to live in the life that Jesus has purchased for her. Amen.
—
Yes, it is the quiddity of redemption that we are praying for today.
Done
done
Done.
Done
Done.
This is reminding me to pray the same prayer for my *husband*, who goes out to work every. single. day, does the same thing (okay, so there’s some variation) every day, week after week, month after month, now for 22 years since we married … all for his wife and family. Our children range from 10 to 20, so I have the opportunity for a lot more ‘fun’ and talking in our home than I did when the children were very young, I guess. I always feel for my husband and the ‘sameness’ of his days, whereas mine are filled with children and laughter (okay, yes, and some housework drudgery too 😉 ).
A great prayer and text to remember – whether husbands for wives, or wives for husbands.
Anne
Done
Brian R.
Done!
JM – Done!
Done
Lord, you are the Creator and Sustainer of this universe. Every last subatomic particle was intentionally placed by you and is furthermore constantly sustained by you. How many more of them are there than there are of us, yes you find eternal joy and pleasure in taking acre of such things for our benefit. It seems to us to be a matter of tedium, but for you it’s ultimate purpose is to demonstrate your glory to us.
I pray this for my wife as she goes throughout her daily work that she finds similar joy in tending to every jot and tittle. Help me to share in that joy so that she will be encouraged and know that the tedium of everyday life is a mirror of your work as our Creator and perfectly normal for us as your children.