I confess, sometimes I skim.
When posts are really long, I’m breezing through the bold-ed lines. When I’m trudging through 2 Chronicles I’m employing my speed-reading skills and skimming those genealogies to the glory of God! No shame in that. In an information-overload world, we have to skim things to survive.
But what about when we’re the thing that’s skimmed? When the vast majority of all we do goes wholly and painfully unnoticed?
People skim over our lives looking for bold things, highlights, flashy headlines or blinking signs, but the truth is that our days are filled with ordinary tasks—domestic fine-print that’s understandably easy for the world to skim.
Diapers get changed, clothes get washed. Food is put on the table. Bills are paid, carpets are vacuumed, toilets are scrubbed. All these things magically happen and only you know how it works:
It works because you work.
We work from sun up to sun down wiping counters, bottoms and noses, and at the end of the day it all appears invisible.
The innocent question, “What’d you do today, hon?” can spark an ugly response. Our hearts cry out in defense, Are you skimming me?
Don’t you notice what I do?
Sadly, many of us are so hungry to be noticed by others that we manufacture our own blinking signs and flashy headlines. We nag. Or whine.
Or blog.
With tears of love in my eyes I share this with you today: God notices.
Need proof? Someone you’ve probably never noticed: Mattithiah.
This morning I read where God lists out all the gatekeepers of the temple, all the keepers of the threshold, all the Levite keepers of the entrance. In mind-numbing detail they are all listed out. They all blend together a bit as I begin to skim, but then I slow. I stop skimming and notice.
There’s Mattithiah.
Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korathite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes. (1 Chron. 9:31)
Mattithiah was flipping pancakes for the glory of God! That sounds just like me! I flip pancakes and chop onions and sweep crumbs and clean the stove and scrub that ring around the tub all for the glory of God.
Mattithiah was part of the priesthood. But his sacred job? Making the flat cakes. Day in and day out. Not very glorious, exciting or thrilling. But he did it every day. And you know what?
God noticed.
God records this man, by name.
God noticed; now it’s your turn to notice.
Notice how God describes Mattithiah’s work:
Mattithiah was entrusted with making the flat cakes.
He wasn’t stuck with making flat cakes.
He wasn’t relegated to making flat cakes.
He was entrusted with making flat cakes.
That tells me that everything matters to God.
That tells me that whatever job we are given we have been entrusted with, whether we’re standing on a platform or at home wiping counters, noses and bottoms (which is what I’ve been doing all day!). We’re not stuck. Not relegated. Not overlooked. Not skimmed. We can do every mundane task with holy zeal for His glory.
Even if no one notices.
Because God notices every task done for His sake.
Even the most mundane.
(Even the flat cakes.)
–
What mundane task have you been entrusted with today? How can you embrace this task as your high and holy calling, doing it for the glory of God? Will you share with us, so we can be (in)couraged? Thank you, dear sisters, for reading.
By Kari Patterson, Sacred Mundane
Leave a Comment
Cynthia @ The Hippie Housewife says
What an encouraging message. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I’m so glad you slowed down and noticed the details; a good reminder for me to do the same along with the encouragement that the things I do are not overlooked.
Kari says
Thank you, Cynthia! It does take slowing down, doesn’t it? Bless you today in all the work you’ve been entrusted with!
(in)courage — You: Entrusted, Never Skimmed — Sacred Mundane says
[…] also have the joy of extended our virtual arms and embracing more sweet sisters over at (in)courage today. Will you bring your cup of coffee and come on over there with me today? Here’s a […]
brie. says
reconciling excel spreadsheets…
great to remember that it’s for god’s glory!
Kari says
Hello dear Brie! Amen, for His glory!
Amy Hunt says
You reminded me of Truth, Kari, and I am so grateful this morning. He Sees, and it’s for Him I live anyway. Even in writing, it’s for His glory…
Rich blessings to you, Kari, as you continue to hear His words for your heart….
Kari says
Thank you, Amy! Your words are so encouraging! He does see, all of it. We can revel in His attention. Blessings on you!
Karen@SurvivingMotherhood says
Kari, Thank you, thank you for sharing this beautiful truth. I am so thankful HE notices! Have done my share of skimming through those genealogies and was always encouraged by God’s attention to detail. But what a delight it is to consider that HE has entrusted me with these mundane things, and that HE doesn’t skim.
Blessings to you today!
Kari says
Amen, dear girl! Thank you for your comments … We must remind ourselves of this daily. Blessings upon you, sister!
Danielle says
Another great writing, my friend. Thank you for always reminding me that God cares about all the day to day tasks we do with our kids. It is hard when it feels like nothing we do really matters, but it does to God!
Have a great time in Scotland!
Kari says
Thank you my sweet sweet friend! I MISS you, and home, but yes, it is a wonderful time here in Scotland. He DOES notice all that you do and I notice that what you do is BEAUTIFUL. Love you…
Tania says
Oh I needed the reminder today… thank you!
Kari says
Oh, praise God — His timing is always amazing, isn’t it? He cares so much, He is so tender toward us. Blessings to you Tania!
Brenda says
Good reminder today! Most of ministry is behind the scenes and every once in awhile I get that pang of why doesn’t anyone see what I do? It’s in those selfish feel sorry for myself days, but you are right, God sees and I don’t work for the praise of man anyway!! I’m getting ready to start through Chronicles, I’ll keep my eyes open for the pancake flipper!
Kari says
Aw, Brenda, this brings such a smile to my face! Yes, ministry IS so much behind the scenes and SO much that goes unnoticed…by everyone except the ONE who it is all for, yes?? All for His eyes, such a great place to be. Blessings on you Brenda, as you journey through Chronicles! 🙂
Amy McCollister says
Thank you for this! Sometimes, with the line of work I’m in, although I am more fulfilled in it than I have been in anything else, I wonder if anyone notices. thank you for reminding me, it’s to God that I need to be doing the work, not that anyone else notices me.
Kari says
Amen, Amy! We so need this reminder, OFTEN! I need it myself all over again today. 🙂 Blessings on you with all your hand finds to do today!
Lauren says
Love this! Trying to remember that everything that I do is to the glory of God… even if it seems like it doesn’t matter to me!
Kari says
Amen, whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, including the most mundane. Blessings on you, Lauren, as you glorify God today!
Carolyn says
Today I’ve been entrusted with unstopping the toilet. I’m sure that God has noticed because I’ve told Him about it. 🙂 Your post reminded me of a quote that I have on the bulletin board next to my desk. Jonathan Acuff (author of “Stuff Christians Like”) said, “David didn’t show up to fight Goliath. He brought lunch. Stop looking for the dramatic and be great at the little things.” So today, my little thing is the toilet. I will try to be great at it. Thank you so much for the reminder that God notices.
Kari says
Oh wow, great quote! I’m writing that one down to save. Thank you, Carolyn! Yes, unstopping the toilet would definitely qualify as a “flat-cake” sort of task … Blessings on you today as you do that for His glory!!
Jennifer says
Wow, being entrusted with something is a huge responsibilitly. It definitely adds value to the mundane, which I strongly believe in 🙂 Great post
Kari says
Amen, Jennifer. Bless you as you work for God’s glory at all you’ve been entrusted with today!
Kris says
Oh wow. What a blessed reminder. I needed this so! It seems I need this daily as I too easily forget that God does indeed notice. Thank you for this, bless you.
Kari says
Oh Kris, I’m with you. I need this daily as well. Bless you as you do everything for the glory of God today. Bless you, my sister!
Jennifer says
Thanks for this reminder! I needed it today!
Kari says
So glad this can be a blessing; praying for joy as you carry out His sacred work today!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Kari, I love this. So encouraging and so TRUE. Thank you!
Kari says
Thank you, Mary! I pray you’re encouraged as you glorify Him with the mundane today! Blessings on you.
Debra says
Entrusted. Simple tasks entrusted. Simple tasks by nature are sometimes glossed over by an ever moving, grooving and shakin’ it culture don’t ya think? Even across the big drink of an ocean you find a way to make me smile. I would rather be an entrusted flat cake flipper in His kingdom than a self made
whuteva’, whuteva’!
Kari says
Aww….I know this Debra! Thank you dear friend. Love you SO.
willowsprite says
Love it!
Betty Draper says
I loved your post for it reminds me of a study i I did on the nameless workers in Exodus 35. in the KJV they are called the “wise hearted”, or willing hearted or those whose heart were stirred or spirit move him or her. These were men and women who used their skills to build the tabernacle. Mention the book of Exodus and you think Moses and his family, Pharaoh and there is a lot written about those disobedient Jews. But tucked in chapter 35 is those women who spun blue, purple and scarlet material in fine linen and courser material from goat hair. These women were not made to do this, it was a freewill offering they gave and NO ONE recorded their name, except God, He names them “wise hearted”. The scriptures do not even give their ages, whether they were married or single but you know there were some of all in the group. What a great bunch of women to be lump together with…no named wise hearted, willing to give of their talents and skills when moved upon by the spirit of God. I want to be a part of that group.
Kari says
Amen, dear Betty! Wise women who are ok being nameless because God knows their name …. and notices. Thank you for your words, and blessings on your day!
Carolina Warkentin says
Hi Kari,
I’m so glad you had the opportunity to go to the UK and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ over there! I miss you and think of you very often. Your message is convicting because I spend so much of my day resenting the boring job I have, when I really need to be embracing the work HE has ENTRUSTED me with, in the hope that if I am faithful with the small things He will entrust me with greater things. Thanks for the reminder.
Kari says
Oh my goodness, hello Carolina Warkentin! Thank you for the comment and it’s so wonderful to hear from you! Where are you now? Blessings, girl — we think of you and Aaron often!
Carolina says
We are in Las Vegas NV suffering in the 110F weather and dreaming of the green NW – and the cooler climate of the UK – we really miss both places! I’ll send you an email soon and fill you in on our life. Happy Anniversary, by the way. We celebrated 7 years on the 26th!