In the Mundane: Gratitude for the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

The Practice of Gratitude Day 1

We’re all too familiar with the unglamorous side of life: endless laundry piles, car and home repairs, grocery lists that seem to regenerate, and a to-do list that rivals that list of coupons on your drugstore receipt. There’s nothing social media-worthy about mopping the floor or cleaning up after dinner. But, what if we were keenly aware that God’s presence is right there in those routine moments, waiting for us to notice Him? Could it be that these seemingly mundane tasks are, in fact, sacred opportunities to connect with Him?

Scripture has a surprising amount to say about the everyday. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul exhorts us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice Paul didn’t add a footnote saying, “...only the big, exciting, or dramatic circumstances.” God’s will is for us to give thanks in all circumstances, yes, even in that kitchen full of dirty dishes. And you’ve likely heard that all circumstances includes the uncomfortable ones and the painful ones, which is true, but it also includes the forgettable ones, boring ones, and annoying ones. Notice that Paul also doesn’t say this is simply optional or admirable. No, He says it’s God’s will for you.

It’s easy to think God’s work in our lives is reserved for the big moments—callings, career moves, life milestones. But when we remember that Jesus Himself “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14), we start to see that He is as present in our daily routine as He was on the Sea of Galilee or the mountains of Judea. He stepped into human life, fully embracing the ordinary. Jesus cooked fish, ate dinner, traveled by foot—tasks that probably felt as “everyday” to Him as grocery shopping feels to us.

Theologian Brother Lawrence, famous for his book The Practice of the Presence of God, wrote about finding God in the kitchen as he washed pots and pans. He understood that God is not only in the heights of heaven but also in the simplicity of a well-scrubbed pot. That truth should add some joy to our daily work—every act, no matter how small, can become an act of worship.

Here’s a humorous but practical challenge: the next time you face a mundane task, thank God for it. Thank Him for the food that dirtied the plate, the family member whose clothes piled up, the job that requires the email replies. Imagine each “thank You” as a reminder that God is right there with you, inviting you to know Him better. This practice of gratitude in the ordinary won’t magically make the mess disappear, but it might just turn those ordinary moments into sacred spaces.

Today, let’s posture our hearts to see God in the small, even laughable details, knowing that our Savior redeems every moment, no matter how mundane, for His glory and our good. When we bring Him into the everyday, we discover that there’s nothing ordinary about a life lived with Christ.