An Unexpected Gift

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Watering my lawn felt like a colossal waste of time. We’d recently replaced a boulder wall and overgrown bushes with a tidy stone wall and lights that lined the driveway, which required us to add new sod. The landscaper had told us that we needed to keep the sod moist or risk it dying—which is how I found myself, if it didn’t rain, faithfully watering the new grass every day.

At first, I was annoyed at the task. It took me about thirty minutes to ensure the sod received a good soaking, and during that time, my mind would race with all the other things I could be doing instead: work, my to-do list, chores.

But after a while, I found myself enjoying those half-hour interludes. I began to look forward to the break in my day: the warmth of the stones under my bare feet, the peaceful quiet of the moment, the tiny rainbow that shimmered in the water from my hose, or a neighbor who stopped to chat with me as they walked their dog or grabbed their mail.

The time I spent outdoors, unwanted as it may have been, was a gift in disguise.

How often is that true in other areas of our lives? Maybe we used to dread exercising but now appreciate the boost of energy it provides. Perhaps we once loathed cooking but now enjoy sharing our favorite recipes with others. Maybe we used to dislike our commute to work but now appreciate the opportunity to listen to podcasts or enjoy a little silence in our day.

The work or task doesn’t change in these circumstances, but our attitude can. When we choose to see all that we do—including seemingly thankless jobs—as working for the Lord, even mundane tasks feel exceptional. Worthwhile. Essential. With the grass I continued to water, growth was not possible without the work. So it is with us—we can’t grow without resetting our hearts and minds to appreciate the big and small tasks we’ve been given each day.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Think of a task you don’t enjoy doing. Brainstorm ideas to help you shift your attitude about the job and appreciate the work it requires.