I have been thinking a lot about two brothers lately. The first brother is Brother Andrew. Many years ago I read God Smugglers about his work smuggling Bibles into closed countries. I don't remember a lot of the book but I do remember the rush of excitement that it brought to me.
So often I find myself daydreaming that kind of life. I want to feel that excitement. I want to do something that heroic. Sometimes I find myself thinking that unless I become more like Brother Andrew I am not really living the Christian life.
There is another brother that I have read about. He lived a life more like mine. He scrubbed pots, ran errands and served those around him. On the surface I don't want to be like him. He lived his life in the shadows of the clerics around him. However, his few and simple words are profound.
Brother Lawerence was truly a willing spirit. I have no doubt that he would have smuggled Bibles or given his life as a martyr if asked. But, in many ways he was asked to do something harder. He was asked to be content in obscurity. And he found contentment and God among the dirty dishes.
I am not in a position, at least for now, to smuggle Bibles into foreign lands but I have dishes to do, mouthes to feed, messes to clean up. So I must stop and listen to what God has for me in this place at this time.
"Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do...We can do little things for God; I can turn the cake that is frying in the pan for love of him" Brother Lawerence
I think you've got it, Kate. A willing spirit is very important. Most often, we will be called to do the mundane rather than the heroic. We are still serving God, hopefully with a willing, joyful heart. Being a mom to your boys and a helpmate to your husband is a very high calling. You do it well!
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