living loved

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

Four women. Four ordinary women. Four ordinary women who do ordinary things. Four ordinary women who do ordinary things for an extraordinary God. Four ordinary women who do ordinary things for an extraordinary God and are ok with being ordinary. Try to say that fast 3xs (I tried; I can’t. If you can – you may be extraordinary).

Why can’t we be ordinary? Why are we consumed with extraordinary and extravagant and all the things instead of contentment and peace and simplicity? Yes, each of the women in this picture has a purpose and that purpose has been given to them by an EXTRAORDINARY God, but that doesn’t make them extraordinary – at least it shouldn’t. And there is the heart check. I had the privilege to walk alongside these women for a women’s night for a special community, and it was a beautiful evening. At the end of the evening one of the attendees commented on the message and that she doesn’t have that gift of speaking. My comment to her was that I didn’t have the gift of baking, and those desserts are what bring women to the table.

It doesn’t matter what each of those women did or didn’t do. It doesn’t matter what the women in the picture did or didn’t do. Did someone speak? Yes. Did someone serve dessert? Yes. Did someone plan and organize? Yes. Did someone lead worship? Yes. Did someone listen and encourage and fellowship? Yes. Did someone make sure the bathrooms were clean and the tables were prepped? Yes. And all the things – in word and deed – were done in the name of the Lord. Ordinary things were done by ordinary women for an EXTRAORDINARY God.

We are ordinary. And that is okay. In the ordinary, we serve God. As my husband and I discussed this sitting around the table, our youngest said, “like cleanin’ my room, momma.” Yep – like cleanin’ your room. Cleaning is an ordinary task, but when we do ALL things for His glory because He is EXTRAORDINARY – wow. When we use the gifts He has purposed for us for His glory (not our own) – wow. When we stop comparing and competing and see that what He has placed before us no matter how big or how small the world says it is, is a gift- wow. Suddenly, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

If your service comes in the form of dinner around the table – extraordinary. If your worship comes in the form of singing Jesus Loves Me to your littles – extraordinary. If your toilet cleaning makes the bathroom throne spotless – extraordinary. If your messy house welcomes all – extraordinary. If your silence and listening ears gives a safe space – extraordinary.

Ordinary people serving the Savior who died on an ordinary cross for ordinary me – EXTRAORDINARY.

XOXO, Loni – your very ordinary friend