Rachel Gerber is a blogger, author and mom to three very energetic boys. So she knows a thing or two about motherhood and miracles, especially when it comes to finding God’s wonder in the most ordinary, messy moments. Even when it comes to folding a big pile of laundry…
The laundry pile is now on the verge of taking over the entire upstairs landing of our house. I climb the stairs to begin what I must do over and over again in this house: ascend a mountain of laundry that sometimes seems to reach above the clouds. It feels steep, indeed. But as I kneel to the floor, I am struck with my posture. Prayer.
My knees bend low. My arms are folded in my lap. As I reach out to touch the crumpled shirts, socks, pants and unmentionables, I realize that here I am, in the presence of the Holy. Worshipping.
I am not in Sunday dress but in workout shorts. My hair is uncombed. But, like I do on Sunday morning, I offer myself up in prayer. From this posture, I am instantly reoriented to seeing this chore, this never-ending pile, as not a burden but a blessing. No small miracle, here.
As I bend low, I remember again that this task is really an offering of love, an act of service for my family. For they are my greatest joy and biggest blessing. Grace surrounds and engulfs my spirit. There are people who wear these clothes (and sometimes change multiple times a day), who wash and dry with these towels, who sleep in these sheets.
Kneeling in the midst of this holy mountain, I, like the Israelites, awaken and see the presence of God hovering close. I am like the Israelites who, after the amazing spectacle of the Red Sea, complained and moaned in the desert sun, longing for captivity to return.
For these people who were led out in miraculous and astonishing ways forgot. They forgot the One who faithfully led them ahead to the fullness of blessing and promise.
As I bend low, I find myself praying that I not turn my daily duties and tasks, my to-do lists and schedules, into longing for days that are past–because right before my eyes miracles are happening.
Little boys are growing and thriving. And I have been blessed to be their mama.
Ordinary miracles continue to surprise and sustain, for my attitude has been altered from seeing this chore as simply grunt work to that of holy work. No small miracle, indeed.
And so here, at the base of this mountain, I return thanks for the ones I fold for.
And fold,
and fold,
and fold.
Do you have a motherhood miracle? Share your story by commenting below!
Plus, check out more of Rachel’s wondrous parenting moments on her blog Everything Belongs or in her book Ordinary Miracles: Awakening to the Holy Work of Parenting.
