Though I am a student by day on some occasions, most often my role is to tend my home.
My battleground is the kitchen–my only weapons a towel and washcloth, ready to do my bidding. My station could be next to the dishwasher, humming a tune as I arrange our belongings in the wooden cabinets. My stomping-grounds are also by the laundry line in our basement, and my dogs serve as capable conversationalists watching me go about the day. As I hang the laundry, they pass me inquisitive looks. They can oft be heard to give a howl in response to my questions, or exclamations: “Wow!!!” “Ow, owwww!” Many times, though, they are simply silent sentinels, giving a loving companionship as I go about my tasks–able to show care through their glances my way, their wagging tails, nudges asking for a belly rub, and very sweet demeanors. What joy they bring.
On days like this, an anthem can be heard ringing through the doorways, hallways, crevices and cracks, the walls… a reviving melody comes forth from the very depths of my home, with a chorus that only I can hear. It speaks of home. The revving and vrooming washing machine wooshes and whirls in a comforting, rocking kind of way. Then a line from the vacuum cleaner cuts in. For certain the air is alive with the vibrant smell of fresh laundry hanging on the line, it wafts up from the basement into my living room. A quiet swooshing is heard as I fold laundry and it hits the covers on our bed. I can hear a distant drum, my footsteps up and down sets of stairs. Beating quickly, back and forth. Then–a pause. A breath, a short repose. A moment of reflection seeing all that is around, and then some. Seeing what is to come, seeing the work of my own hands. A sigh of thankfulness for the provisions of Grace. His Grace is sufficient as I survey the home around me. As I hear this anthem playing, as I look at all the day has given, I realize this is the anthem He gives just to me.
Some may not hear this song, nor even give value to its lines. But as I try to serve and learn to love this life, I hear it sweetly beckoning me towards Him. I see that perhaps this duty is more important than I had first realized, more important than many seem to think. To give a home its song, to sing along as the stanzas progress. This is my home and my passion that drives me forward and onward; this is the life He has called me to in this season.
