Lord of Pots and Pans and Things
Lord of Pots and Pans and Things
Brother Lawrence cooked food and washed dishes for the monastery. It was not an exalted task, but he believed that Christ can transform even the most commonplace and menial undertakings into living hymns for the glory of God. He did not view daily chores as distractions from a life of devotion to God, but rather as a way to exercise it. His prayer, before he began work in the kitchen was this:
O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.
“The time of business,” Brother Lawrence said, “does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
Today, as you leave your morning prayers for the day’s work, determine to deliver each task to God as an act of worship. Practice the presence of God each moment of your life. Do not belittle the simple acts of washing a plate or dusting a shelf or stirring a sauce; do not begrudge ‘interruptions’ from your Bible reading to help someone. Life is not an interruption from worship; if done as to God, it is worship. When we do these things—all things—to the glory of God, we serve and honor Him.
Photograph: Cloister at Abbaye de Fontfroide.
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ELISSA said...
What a lovely, humbling, and convicting post! Thank you so much! —Elissa
Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:24 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Thank you, Elissa! I am glad the Lord was able to use this post to bless you. These thoughts of Brother Lawrence help me realize anew the importance and dignity of the work I do.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 07:38 PM
Tuesday, August 4, 2009