Last week I was really looking forward to President's Day. When you work in a school a new appreciation of lesser-loved holidays grows, and President's Day is a perfect example. I used to think, "I wonder why there was no mail today" with a shrug of indifference. Now I mark these days on my calendar with a big NO SCHOOL and anticipate a day of sleeping in, guilt-free relaxation and plenty of DIY projects.
However.
Sleeping in just doesn't work for me anymore. Not on demand, anyway. I have to build up to it by trying to adjust my irritating internal schedule that puts me on the road to sleep at 9:30p and wakes me at 4:00a to make sure I haven't missed my 5:30a alarm. I want to sleep in, stay happily cozied up under the covers blissfully carefree of the hour. But I can't. So I was laying in bed wide awake at 7:00a yesterday morning willing myself to stay in bed, to try to sleep longer, to take advantage of the freedom, but it just wouldn't work.
My day of freedom became full. Full of chores like laundry, ironing, doggie baths, organizing an overflowing office... The highlight of my day was watching my nieces and nephew who always make me happy. And even though I worked all day, I still have more to do. Like sleeping in, guilt-free relaxing and plenty of DIY projects (and a little ironing). At the end of the day it felt like I had not had a day off.
Then I read my devotion this morning, courtesy of Mr. Chambers, and it is titled Taking the Initiative Against Drudgery. "Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character...It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested..." He then references the final supper that Jesus shared with his disciples as God the Son washed the feet of twelve dirty men, one of whom was about to sell Him out.
Well then. I guess that settles that.
"The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it." Now that is a statement I can relate to. I don't know how shiny my drudgery was yesterday but there will always be a next time and room to improve with each task at hand.
I am thankful. Thankful for dogs to care for, clothes that need to be washed, sheets to cover my bed and a mattress to put them on. I am thankful for a reason to iron clothes because it means we have jobs to look professional for and I am thankful that I have hands that work to do dishes that are dirty with the food that we are blessed to have. And when I get to sleep in, relax and do some crafting or sewing, I will be thankful for the time and the ability.
God is good.
