Day 7 - Practicing the presence of God

READING: Psalm 139:1-12

Brother Lawrence was a 17th century monk who worked in the kitchen of his monastery in France. He wrote what has become a spiritual classic, entitled The Practice of the Presence of God. The central thrust of the book, which bore out Brother Lawrence’s own daily experience in the kitchen, is that it is precisely in the ordinary, everyday things of life that God’s presence can be fully and powerfully known.

In essence, this is what this entire Lenten course is about — discovering that it’s in the everyday things of life that our faith matters, and that’s where our faith can come most alive.

Of course we need the so-called ‘religious’ moments of corporate worship, bible study, Christian service and prayer. These are essential parts of the spiritual life, and can be very significant in opening us to God. But unless we are consistently finding ways to encounter God in our day-to-day living, our ‘high and holy’ moments run the real risk of becoming cut off and somewhat removed from the nitty-gritty realities of our everyday lives.

Brother Lawrence’s down-to-earth advice about practicing the presence of God offers wonderful help. He invites us to see every task, however menial, as no less sacred and infused with God’s love as when the priest lifts up the host (bread) in Holy Communion.

Nowhere is this more pertinent than at home where, if we’re honest, we’d admit that there are many housekeeping tasks that are quite simply a drag. Taking out the trash, washing the dishes, trying to get the vacuum cleaner to reach those little dustballs in the corner behind the couch (where do those things come from?), hanging up the laundry. It’s no surprise that most people of even average means pay for some kind of domestic assistance. And there are at least some people reading this who literally have no household chores to worry about at all. (I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t at least a little envious.)

But for most of us, there is some form of domestic responsibility that is ours; and for all of us, sooner or later, there are day-to-day tasks that come our way that we regard as something of a drag.

But actually, there can be an incredible gift in these things, if we choose to see it. For it’s precisely in the not-so-pleasant necessities of home life that we have a unique opportunity to do something purely for love’s sake. Before you roll your eyeballs at me and reach for a barf bag, let me explain:

I accept that you wouldn’t normally want to dress up a chore like taking out the trash as ‘an act of love’. It’s an act of necessity, because if you don’t do it, soon you and your family (and possibly your neighbours too) will be dealing with some not-too-pleasant consequences. But think about it — even if your motivation for taking out the trash is purely pragmatic, it requires an extension of yourself (i.e. some effort) in service of a broader good, which is exactly what love involves also. This is true of virtually every household chore that I can think of — that it’s really an act of love towards yourself and others living in that household. And if you believe that God is extending Godself in service of the broader good of your home, then your participation in these kinds of chores can rightly be seen as action for the love of God.

This is what Brother Lawrence discovered, and so he could describe the cleaning up of potato peels as the ‘holy labour of love’. This is how Abbe de Beaufort described this simple, godly monk at work:

‘And it was observed, that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen, he still preserved his recollection and heavenly mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquillity of spirit.’

So next time you’re faced with a household chore that you’d rather not do, rejoice in the gift that it presents for you to do something purely for love’s sake.

PUTTING FAITH INTO ACTION:

As a conscious gesture of love, offer to do one of the household chores that someone else in your family normally does. Let it produce in you a greater appreciation for what they do. Make sure that it’s a joyful experience—which simply requires you choosing it to be.

Think about some of the daily responsibilities that are yours, that could easily become a source of resentment to you. Write them down and ask God to transform them into occasions of deep joy for you:

PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you so much that your presence in the world is not confined to ‘high and holy’ times and places, but is just as real in the mundane realities of daily life. Thank you that in the responsibilities of household necessities there is rich scope to grow and deepen in love. Help me to see this and to embrace this more and more. Amen.