For the Ordinary People The other day I read a quote by Jenkin Lloyd Jones that made me feel a little depressed.
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
I have a hard time thanking the Lord for the ride. Instead I tend to be discouraged that I am just an ordinary person and that the ride isn’t always “beautiful vistas”. I have thought a lot about how I would feel if I were to be ordinary my whole life. I have always wanted to do something extraordinary and touch many lives, so it is hard for me to swallow the fact that I may not make the kind of impact that I have imagined.
Then, I read a quote that brought a lot of hope to me.
“Ordinary people who faithfully, diligently, and consistently do simple things that are right before God will bring forth extraordinary results.” –David A. Bednar
I may be just an ordinary person, but I have the capacity to create extraordinary results. I have always believed and will always believe that with God I can accomplish so much more. I am thankful for the seemingly ordinary things in life that have shaped me. Although millions of women have babies everyday, the fact is that having children is so personal and perfect. I remember reading a blog about a lady who said we should stop praising women for having babies and getting married and celebrate women who have climbed Mt. Everest, become successful in their career or had a number of other special accomplishments. While I completely applaud successful women in whatever their sphere, I do not agree that being married and having children is not a special accomplishment. Just because I am doing something that other women do, does not mean that it is not challenging and teaching me how to be the best version of myself. To what end do we do things? To impress? To prove something? Even if marriage and motherhood is ordinary, fulfilling my role as wife and mother “faithfully, diligently and consistently…before God will bring forth extraordinary results.” To my children, no one can fill my place like I can…and that makes me special to at least them.
I will not believe that what I do is not valuable. I am grateful that my mother did not listen to the lies and made me important enough to do ordinary things for, everyday.
The late L. Tom Perry revered and honored his mother and I remember him mentioning how grateful he was for the clean socks in his drawers and other small gestures of love he saw in his mothers service. Think about the ordinary things you do everyday. Think about what life would be like for your family and or friends if you stopped doing those ordinary things.
Cheers to all the ordinary people out there that do ordinary things gracefully and gratefully!
What a beautiful post. You captured so well the nobility of motherhood and the blessing it is in our lives.
Thank you so much Kristen! Thanks for being an example of motherhood for me!
Every time I hear the word meek I think of you and how you were studying and striving to embody that word. You have made a huge difference in my life. I remember that summer I lived with you and how you saved Collette's life by being there and helping me keep my sanity. She doesn't know that, but that's a BIG deal. I love you!
Cathy, You are too generous! I am so thankful for your friendship and it was my blessing to spend the summer with you. You have so much love to give, and I have been blessed by it time and time again! Love you too!