Keep it Simple
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Recently a young mom asked me, “I am so busy all the time just taking care of my family, how can I manage to spend time with God?” In His amazing way, God had already prepared me with the answer. But first, let me share with you the back story. Recently I attended a Bible study and in the video the teacher referred to a book called The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I had not read this book, but because of my passion to know God through the study of His attributes, I decided to order the book. When the book arrived I saw that it is not a thick, big book with lots of pages, but a small book that I thought I could easily read in an hour or so. I was wrong. I have yet to read past page 30 of this tiny book, for reading it and pondering the thoughts of Brother Lawrence has been both challenging and exciting. But back to the back story. I started by reading the preface and at the end of the first page there was a short verse. It read, “Lord of all pots and pans and things… Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates!” I had assumed that Brother Lawrence must be someone who had a degree in theology, but again I was wrong.
Brother Lawrence, according to the preface, was “lowly and unlearned” and spent most of his years as a lay brother working as a cook at a monastery. When I read the words of the verse I realized that years ago I had seen these words as part of a poem. I was so moved by the poem that I created a plaque that has hung on my kitchen wall for 45 years. But there’s more. I had recently started reading the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and in it he refers to Brother Lawrence and his book. Coincidence? Absolutely not! God was showing me that He personally knows me and He put all these things together to show me that He is a living God, working through the details of my life to teach me those things that will bring glory to Him. So the back story took me from a video to a book to a verse to a plaque to a second book and then came the question from the young mom, “How can I manage to spend time with God?”
God had equipped me with the answer. Using what I had learned from Brother Lawrence I was able to tell this young mom, “Keep it simple.” In this little book he states, “Our only business is to love and delight ourselves in God.” This humble man who spent his time in a busy kitchen simply desired to “perform all his actions for the love of God.” He speaks of having a continual, yet simple conversation with God, recognizing that He is always present with us. That we can praise God, adore Him, love Him and do all that we do “purely for the love of God.” He points out that “we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” He found no difference in practicing God’s presence, whether busy in the kitchen or on his knees in prayer.
This amazing lesson God brought to me personally has not only helped me answer this young mom’s question, but has helped me adjust my attitude as I care for my elderly mom. What a difference it makes when I face frustrations to remember that I am in the presence of God and I can do my daily tasks “for the love of God.” I look forward to reading more, but in closing I want to share the poem that hangs on my kitchen wall that surely was penned by Brother Lawrence about 350 years ago. I read the prayer to the young mom and it gave her peace.
My Kitchen Prayer
Lord of all pots and pans and things… since I’ve no time to be a Saint by doing lovely things or watching late with Thee…or dreaming in the dawn light, or storming Heaven’s gates…Make me a Saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.
Although I must have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind…And when I black the boots and shoes…thy sandals, Lord, I find…I think of how they trod the earth each time I scrub the floor…Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven’t time for more.
Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, and light it with Thy peace…Forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling ceace…Thou who didst come to give men food in room or by the sea…Accept the grace that I do…
I do it unto Thee.
Amen
What a great reminder that we ought to do everything to the glory of God.
Great message. May we see Christ in everything we do, great and small.