Drudgery

I wish someone told me when I was young that glory is drudgery. Now in my forties, I’m finally learning to love that lesson.

Note: I didn’t say that you get to glory through drudgery.

I said “glory is drudgery.”

If you can’t find the gleam, lean into the task, and thank God for every moment of your life, you will miss out on the glorious life you already have.

And it is a glorious life, is it not?

When was the last time you took a moment to think about what a miracle it is to even be alive? Then add all the experiences of your long life and the opportunities that your life gives you today. Even if you are old, sick, or weak, think of all that your body and mind and senses can still do today. Do for yourself, or, more important, do for others.

Life has its moments when the bright lights out there will shine on you.

Those moments are rare. Those lights are always looking for “the next big thing” and no matter how many big things you do, someone will eventually do something bigger. You will be forgotten. You will be replaced.

Someday.

But you are here today. Here for the people who love you and need you. Here for the people with whom you cross paths, who could use a “hello” and a smile from you. Here for the simple joy of experiencing life as it is moment by moment.

The bright lights out there may not shine on you today, but you can choose to see the light that is intrinsic in every moment. You can choose to reflect that light from your own inner gratitude to those around you.

You can show them their own glory in their own glorious drudgery.

You don’t have to do what you do today; you get to.

Go glory in it.

Grace and peace.