The Little Things Do Matter
There’s a poem in a delicate floating glass frame that sits on my (Cass’s) kitchen counter, right between my ivy plant and the stove. I see it every day as I prepare our family’s meals, but if I’m honest, it usually blends into the background of our busy life. Today, that wasn’t the case. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve been wrestling with depression and feeling lost in the hustle and bustle of the everyday. When life gets overwhelming, I’m tempted to view the blessings in my life as burdens. That definitely was the case for me today.
Frustration became my companion as I tried to pry sticky popsicle sticks off the counter. Mumbling and grumbling under my breath, I bent down to pick up dirty underwear off the bathroom floor – again. Secretly longing for a life of significance, in my heart I began to despise the small things. I rinsed the grit and grime off the dishes in our sink. There’s got to be more to life than this, I was thinking when I glanced up and saw the poem sitting on my counter. I paused to notice the letters, each one carefully and intentionally typed onto the page.
This piece of paper was the only gift I asked for last Christmas. I’d been following the poet who wrote it, David Gate, on social media for a while, and his words often ministered to me. The fact that David types every single one of his poems himself adds a sentimental value for me personally. The typewriter font brought up fond memories of someone dear to me, Grandma Jan. I grew up visiting my grandma’s apartment. Grandma Jan was my person, and I owe my adoration for the written word to her. She was my safe place, a refuge from the chaos of my childhood. Her apartment was the closest thing I’d ever seen to Belle’s library from the movie Beauty and the Beast. My memory of my childhood is a bit foggy, so I might be remembering it as more grandiose than it actually was, but to me it was Disney princess-worthy. She had rows and rows of bookshelves, an antique writing desk, and a vintage typewriter.
I learned how to use Grandma Jan’s typewriter early. I might have been six years old when I started writing on it. I could barely spell. That typewriter contains some of my fondest childhood memories. I think that’s partly why David’s poems stood out to me. His poetry was beautiful, yes, but the typewriter font called to me. I knew I had to have one of his poems in my home. And this is the one that now spoke to me from my kitchen counter:
Doing the laundry and the dishes
and meal preparation
are not tasks of the mundane because being clothed
and clean and fed
declares the dignity of human life
and nurtures us into new days
into new eras
they are not mundane, no they are the rituals of care.
These words are a daily reminder to pause and remember that there’s great purpose in what seems miniscule or mundane. That every moment can be holy and that nothing is truly mundane when done for God’s glory.
Some days – maybe most days, for some of us – we do find ourselves elbow-deep in dishes, with the laundry pile giving us the side-eye and the to-do list practically laughing at us. These sorts of days feel a million miles away from the grand stories we read about in those jaw-dropping testimonies. Yet, as David’s typewritten poem reminds me, right there, in that ordinary yet remarkable moment, is an incredible opportunity to honor God.
What does that look like? You might be wondering, How does my laundry time bring honor to God? Bringing honor to God in our daily moments involves being conscious of Him in our routines, decisions, and interactions. We’ve created a list for you of some practical ways to honor God in the seemingly small moments of each day.
Prayerful Awareness. Begin your day with prayer, inviting the Father to guide your thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day ahead. This sets a tone of reverence and awareness.
Saturation in the Word of God. Take a few minutes every day to meditate on a specific passage of Scripture. This can be during a break, before meals, or even while commuting to and from where you need to go. Put it on repeat, sis!
Acting in Love. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Small acts of Christ’s love like holding the door for someone, offering a word of godly encouragement, or simply telling someone that God loves them can be a reflection of His love.
Gratitude in the Mundane. Even in daily tasks like doing dishes or driving to work, find something to be thankful to the Father for. This attitude of gratitude turns mundane moments into worship.
Godly Integrity. Make decisions, even minor ones, with integrity. Whether it’s being honest about a mistake at work or choosing not to gossip, these moments reflect a heart that seeks to please God in all things.
Remaining Humble. Recognize that every moment, even the small ones, is an opportunity given by God. A humble heart is always ready to be molded, to learn, to grow, and to serve.
Being Teachable. A teachable heart is the result of humility, but it’s much more than that. Living with a willingness to admit you don’t have the answers leads to seeking God and biblical truth. Commit yourself to accepting constructive correction, asking questions, gleaning from the wisdom of others, and being willing to repent and learn from mistakes. We can choose to view failure as a loss or a lesson (Proverbs 9:8–9)
These are all great ways to incorporate a heart seeking to honor God into your day-to-day activities. We personally like to pick one or two to focus on throughout a day so we can be more intentional with our time. Doing so has helped us view even the smallest of moments as sacred opportunities. You can try something similar and see how that changes your outlook!
Excerpted from Ready as You Are by Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer. © 2025 Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. HarperCollinsChristian.com.
Consider a few extra resources:
- Fulfilling the great commission at home
- Three everyday moments that can become faith-filled prayers
- The Christian Parenting Podcast: Creating a home where kids thrive with Melissa Kruger
