Weekend Reflection: Transforming the Ordinary

An Ordinary Task

Like a handmaiden devoted
to her duties I begin my task,
mindful of every moment.

Hands comforted in steaming suds
I grasp the slender stem of wineglass,
dinner plates, cups and saucers.

Each dish is laved, rinsed, and dried,
my kitchen counter like an altar
covered with holy vessels.

--Helen Fahrbach



This weekend as we go about our daily tasks, the mundane necessary things, let us try to do so with minds fully present and hearts light. To be able to see a bit of heaven present in the perfectly ordinary is a special type of sight--dirty dishes vessels of daily bread, messed counter alter of abundance. Any task done well, even simple things such as washing the dishes, is pleasing to the Lord. We spend a lot of our time occupied by the tasks of daily living. So let us seek to cultivate that special sight so that we may transform the perfectly ordinary into something extraordinary.