Thankful for Dishes

It is commonly known among those in ministry that this vocation is not one that is easily quantifiable. This can be difficult in our results driven society. It is often the burden of those in ministry to labor on when results and progress are not easily tracked. It is the messy business of loving people, and people are not easily defined.

As an introverted, task oriented, hands on, number accounting person, perhaps this fact hits me harder than others. It's caused some tension and frustration for me, but these are merely part of the path to growth. It has been something that I wasn't expecting about this job, perhaps because I didn't truly know myself. I have learned so much about who I am through this experience and it has been very humbling.

One thing God has been revealing to me as a result of this tension is the joy of everyday activities. I've always been one to enjoy organizing and cleaning, but I am so thankful for the way God has made these tasks into a sort of therapy lately.

I may grumble about having to do all our the dishes by hand, but this chore turns into a quiet moment of quantifiable accomplishment after a long day full of awkward conversations with students and laboring to improve group dynamics and events. I put on some of my favorite hymns, fill the sink up with suds, and watch a pile of dirty dishes become clean.

So, tonight I am thankful for dishes. They give me the strength to labor to see students be washed clean by the working of the spirit and the love of Christ.


Grace & Peace,