Show Up

Dailiness

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 ESV

“One of the best things you can do in your work is to show up, serve others and trust others to also work with love and kindness to create desired results.” Richie Norton

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is show up. We’ve stacked all our troubles one on top of the other. Life seems like an endurance contest and sometimes it is.

When weary, show up.

When down in the dumps, show up.

Whey you’ve spilled lunch on your favorite shirt, show up and laugh a bit.

A bounced check (for those left that do it the old-fashioned way), show up.

Don’t feel grateful, show up. Act grateful.

Prayers feel empty, show up. Pray anyway.

Parenting. Must show up. Messy, frustrating, sleep-deprived and anxious.

Marriage. Must show up. Forgive often.

My husband’s dementia. Show up.

And be open to our Father’s surprise and rescue.

Most of life is trooping through the daily, mundane, boring and annoying. We plod along lifting one heavy foot after another. Success at anything is trooping through the boring, annoying, set-backs and problem-solving parts of life. Overnight success is rare at best. Even Jesus was home studying and working privately for 30 years before his ministry.

The reality of success is that it can’t fix the spiritual void. It distracts. Excites. Feels good. Builds confidence. Bad news: It passes. The reality of dailiness, boredom, annoyances, frustrations will be ours too: Good news: It passes. Only our Father can “fix” us. Only our Father keeps us in perfect peace. He made us, after all. He gives us the “peace which surpasses all understanding.” So, we show up.

Musings

Every time I’ve done something–anything, went out to run errands, walked the dog, phoned a friend, worked with my child and his homework, attended a class there’s something spiritual in it. I showed up. It lifted me. You show up too. There was not necessarily a lesson, but some peace nugget that makes us feel just a bit better. Every time I’ve stayed home and ruminated on the flavor-of-the-day self-pity, anxiety or frustration (and I have many times), I spiraled out of control. Much better to show up. Participate. And practice gratefulness.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you that when we show up, you take us the rest of the way. You help us to see the Big Picture in the daily things, your Big Picture. We only have to contend with today and even in today, your presence and guidance are with us. There are many mysteries is dailiness. Your son used mundane and everyday pictures to encourage us. Salt, bushel, light, harvest, lanterns and many more images keep us encouraged because Jesus lived the dailiness for us too.

Amen