Celebrating the Labor and the Love in the Spiritual Discipline of Housekeeping

Sunday Scripture ~ Psalm 90:17

Posted on by Michele Morin

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.”  (Psalm 90:17)

In his book Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminded his readers that “without the burden and labor of the day, prayer is not prayer, and without prayer, work is not work.”

Our times of prayer remind us that life is not simply about work, while our work reminds us that life is not simply about prayer.

To our great surprise, we see that God, who waits on high to have compassion on us, longs to be gracious to us.

When I walk the dog and give thanks for the vast blue sky and the bracing wind in my face, God is there.

When I am ironing the collar of a shirt and folding my son’s jeans still warm from the dryer, God is there.

By turning our attention purposefully toward God in the midst of our ordinary days, we demolish the wall between sacred and secular.

Our work becomes an offering to God as we meet him in the ordinary moments of life.

May the beauty of the Lord our God be upon you today,

Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a teacher, blogger, reader, and gardener who finds joy in sitting at a table surrounded by women with open Bibles. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty years, and together they have four sons, two daughters-in-love, three grandchildren, and one lazy St. Bernard. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

19 thoughts on “Sunday Scripture ~ Psalm 90:17”

  2. What a lovely reminder. I have in the past few years remembered to thank God for the day and his beautiful Earth more than I ever did in my lifetime. So many beautiful, even minute things that are a blessing. We have so many toads running around and other things as I mow in the yard. The other day there were baby bunnies underneath the grass so I had to leave that patch until they could grow. Sometimes when I mow, it seems like a nature trail and I had to stop several times for the toads and things to pass by so I could continue without harm. Although, sadly, I miss seeing so many butterflies as when I was young. They are rarely seen around my house anymore so I think I need to plant something for them. Have a great week, and hope your teen week went well. 🙂

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  5. Michelle, This verse is very personal to me because I sew home fashion items for my business. Literally, the work of my hands!

    It has been a blessing through the years because it allowed me to work from home and be with my kids, now all grown.

    The Lord brings me my work, and I rely on Him to complete it. I can’t tell you how many times Holy Spirit prevented me from making a mistake!

    I have followed (in)courage for years, and always enjoy your insights there. Just thought it was about time I visited your site, too! Blessings to you!

    (PS There is a wonderful book about our work and the Lord’s involvement by Jordan Raynor titled ‘Called to Create. I loved it!)

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    1. Kim, I have so much admiration for people who sew. I am a “chain saw” seamstress, and do the best I can repairing ripped jeans and making the odd curtain here and there, but it’s a chore for me. It’s good to be reminded that sewing can also be an enriching and delightful practice when the skill is there. I love reading here about Spirit-guided sewing!
      So great to connect with you here as well as over on the (in)courage site. I love that community.
      And thank you, too, for the book recommendation!

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  8. “By turning our attention purposefully toward God in the midst of our ordinary days, we demolish the wall between sacred and secular. Our work becomes an offering to God as we meet him in the ordinary moments of life.” Your words are a great reminder to always be thankful and mindful of God and His presence, and to keep in constant communication with him in our thoughts and deeds no matter what we are doing.
    *I found your post through the “Inspire Me Monday” link-up! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Love this. I have been practicing this for years. Do all with love and as a sacrifice to God. It’s amazing how freeing this practice of prayer is.

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