An ordinary life guidebook for joy

My brother is a single dad, an ordinary parent. His waking hours are always, without exception, devoted to considering the needs of his young daughter.

From making sure her food is healthy, to helping her navigate her feelings, to just learning how to be a good friend…he is consistent and patient.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering… Romans 12:1

Their mornings are predictable, and he invests in the routine of getting ready for each day before taking her to school…even when he is weary and would love someone to take care of him.

He even watches tutorials on how to braid a daughter’s hair (he sent me this picture today!)  in new and fashionable ways to delight her.

He is a living example of Romans 12:1.

It isn’t easy, this parent life, but he persists in doing the best he can. Including raising her up to know the Lord and His promises for them both.

Learning, and teaching how to take an ordinary life and make it an offering. They, together, find great joy in the gift of “ordinary” moments.

What does ordinary life mean?

We all have this special opportunity.

To embrace a simple ordinary moment and recognize its humble beauty. To seek out regular events and understand that they are powerful building blocks of our future memories.

“There is no such thing as an ordinary life.”― Mark Twain

Life gets messy, tragic, complicated and scary sometimes. However, we can stop to look around and notice our so-called mundane.

We can throw up our hands and whisper heartfelt “thank yous” to God for His goodness.

A simple braiding of a child’s hair or washing dishes for the 3rd time today or doing errands…these things all are part of a greater story.

Finding joy in an ordinary life

Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself-William Martin

Each act is the chance to take an ordinary moment and place if before God as an offering. Our humble gift of just doing the best we can. Imperfectly.  And to thank Him for these simple moments that almost escape our notice.

Anticipated and adventurous events offer place markers of joy along the road of our lives…but the path is made up of the stones or everyday moments. A remarkable life, found in the ordinary.

Well worn and beautiful.

Parent Resources for an ordinary life

• Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
• Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
• How to Keep House While Drowning: 31 days of compassionate help
• How to Celebrate Everything: Recipes and Rituals for Birthdays, Holidays, Family Dinners, and Every Day In Between
• Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home
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