Stepping into the Clearing

It is time again to reset. Classical music played while I cleaned the house this morning, setting things back in order. Dusting, vacuuming, washing. It is a cloudy day, which means I have loads of laundry hanging up to dry inside. While this can make the house feel a bit more cluttered, I would still rather the job be done.

I have had multiple tea breaks in which I enjoy the environment around me. It has been a difficult few months, but today I am once again feeling that contentment settle in my soul. The small things we do, they matter. I am able to look around me and see hard work, and beauty, and blessing. If I am always looking at what I do not have, I forget what is right in front of me.

I was recently in a bridal party for a wedding that was three hours from home. Before I left, the bathroom was cleaned, dishes put away, bins emptied. I had previously made a lasagne that I kept in the freezer so I could have proper meals in the evenings that followed without having to cook. I didn’t have a weekend at home and I knew I would be tired, so I put in more effort in the days leading up to the wedding. While it was not a necessity, I was able to come back home and rest, without thinking of tasks I needed to do right away.

We have had some rain recently, but overall the sunny spring days have been a welcome change. It’s a time when I am motivated to care for the houseplants and when I need to prioritise the garden beds. This morning I enjoyed moving some of my plants around and seeing them reinvigorate the space. My joy increases.

The last few months felt like survival mode… completing the basics, simply doing what needed to be done. But now I am looking for those things that do not need to happen regularly, like cleaning the freezer or reorganising my dresser. I bought pork for the first time, to cook in the next few days. New recipes are not something I have energy for when life gets busy, but I am now motivated and ready to try something new.

When life gets hard, there is something to be said for routine. There is something to be said for making a cup of tea in your favourite floral mug, falling asleep in clean sheets, eating a home-cooked meal. They may not take away the difficulties or the sadness, but they add to our comfort, our rest, and our health. These things do not go unseen.

Today feels like stepping into the clearing. Maybe a few thorny vines are still hanging about, but God leads my every step. Where would I be without Him?

Sarah xx