I used to mind that my housework was "invisible" while my husband's chores, like lawn mowing, were very visible. But I like providing a neat kitchen, clean clothes and comfortable home for my family. I think my 'reward' is the realization that, while it may not be flashy, it's satisfying to do this for the people I love, and they do appreciate it.

I understand the "paying attention to small details". The smallest detail I have to pay attention to is the folding of a newsletter. "Why be so fussy over something so small?" I am asked. But as I have mulled this over, I realize that by paying attention to that little detail, I show that I take pride in my work and the level of excellence that we have where I work. It is not about being a perfectionist, but about having pride in all the areas of life and work. God, too, has shown me that He cares about the little things in my life. Nothing is too small to take to Him.

This is really a good reminder. And I had never thought about the fact that small jobs are wonderful confidence builders and a proving ground for stewards.

Too often, I find myself resenting small jobs at work and at home because I think they are beneath me. In reality every small job is a chance to be like Jesus. He had the ultimate small job--going from God to man.

Andrea, I just loved this blog. What a wonderful and inspiring message this has. Doing those seemingly menial tasks cultivates a servant attitude--essential in the workplace, in a marriage, in raising children. Thanks for a powerful reminder that when I'm doing what I often think of as "grunt work," I'm actually serving God and challenging myself to be the best I can be!

This is excellent Andrea! Very well expressed. I put it in my good writing file and sent it on to others. I've had similiar experiences of learning to be faithful in little things. Thanks for sharing your experience honestly and openly and how you resolved it. Your creative approach is an inspiration to me. It reminds me of the famous old time artists who used the paint the back part no one would see because "God would see it"
God sees and will reward you for your faithfulness and I know your creativity delights Him as it does me.
Blessings,
Sharon

Am I too good for menial tasks? I remember asking this question myself. I'd been in the workforce for a couple of decades, and had just changed to another position. Due to staff cutbacks they no longer had 'support staff' for what was considered the more menial tasks, so we we all supposed to do our own. But somehow I got most of the jobs. I came to realise that it actually benefited me as well as the team. Recently, in a new church as we have moved interstate, I was delighted to be asked to help at a conference, but not so pleased when I found that the duties required me to check the ladies toilets, tidy the meeting room, etc. But at the end of the conference I was so glad I'd had the opportunity to do this. It was fun and I got to know other women that I probably wouldn't have. There is always a silver lining!
Em

Translating and proof-reading articles or books need a lot of time, patience, concentration and of course the knowledge and skills of the particular language. But don't expect your name to appear in the 'acknowledgment' section of the books - that seldom happens... However, the joy of translating and proof-reading is to know deep in your heart that the books or articles are read and comprehended by many... PTL!

I've been looking for a job for a while so It kinda bothers me when people complain about thier job. Until I find one, I'm cleaning houses for a living. Sometimes I feel small doing it but until I get one of the jobs I've applied for, I thank God everyday for meeting my needs through this "menial" position. I get to wear a small radio with ear phones while I work so I can listen to Christian Radio and sermons and uplifting music. I'm thankful that God provides the resources to pay my bills.

Andrea,

I think your entire blog is very "self" focused. But I had these same thoughts when you wrote so disparagingly about your mother and your homeschooling experience. Perhaps the problem is not your mother or your homeschooling experience but perhaps it is within your heart.

I see nothing in your blog about how you honor God and how He is your focus. Maybe instead of writing blogs you need to refocus your life in Christ.

I'm sure many will think this is harsh, however I am not writing from an unloving attitude or in a state of anger.

Col. 1:9-12
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you (Andrea) and to ask that you (Andrea) may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
 10 so that you (Andrea) will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Andrea, may ALL your work be done as unto the Lord.

Thank you for reminding us that the menial tasks are necessary and to do them with a willing heart.
Of all the jobs at home that need doing, I often wonder why am I the only one in a household of five that puts the new roll of toilet paper on, when the other one is empty. "I always think, they are really going to miss me when I die and they have to do this themselves." Hopefully there will be other things they will remember me for, but I thought you could use a good laugh to start your day.

I volunteer at my Church once a week to straighten out the music hymnals and missalettes as well as replace offering envelopes in the pews every week. I answered an ad in our Church bulletin one Sunday to volunteer for this ministry and when I first began doing the task of making sure that there were was a matching number of books and that there were enough envelopes for all the services I started to see the futility of my work. The books were just going to get mixed up and messed up again. Did anybody really care of there were enough hymnals and missalettes anyway? Did anybody even care if they were straightened up? After each service the books were in disarray anyway? And I had to repeat the same task all over again every week. So what did it matter? But then I began to see my volunteerism to this task as doing the Lord's work. The hour that I spend now in Church every Thursday morning quietly going about my task in complete silence, I am able to pray, meditate, and reflect on what called me to this ministry and of how I am serving my Lord. I now see my job of straightening the books in the pew as an honor to serve.

Sure, those small jobs are sometimes a pain but necessary. Even though no one opened the meeting notes, they provide a history of discussions that could be accessed if and when the need arises.

How about Jesus' comments in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much..."

The NEB version of Colossians 3:23 puts a new light on it: "Whatever you ARE DOING, put your whole heart into it..." The more familiar "Whatever you DO..." sounds like something out there in the future, but "Whatever you ARE DOING" puts it right now, everything I am doing, even cleaning bathrooms. And I'm sure those who used the bathrooms were grateful for clean, neat facilities!

That's where I am right now, facing starting my second career. I had overlooked volunteer work as too menial because it didn't pay. After looking unsuccessfully for a job, I'm now volunteering in several places. I wish I had started this 4 years ago, when I first left work to attend school full time. I've made new connections to possible jobs. Most of all, I've gained a sense of hope in my unemployment...that I do still have something to offer and that this dry spell is temporary.
Regarding Andrea's article, that's a wonderful, beautiful attitude with the fragrance of Christ everywhere in it. My prayers are that I will become more like that no matter what the task.

I loved Kim's comment about the fact that every small task in life is a chance to be more like Jesus-that He had the ultimate small task- to come to earth as a man. It's a good lesson in humility for all of us. And it also gives God something to work with-afterall, if He can't trust us with the SMALL things, how can He trust us in the BIGGER things?

I am a post gratuate and qualified journalist but one of my first job was to make tea at the time it seems humilating and today I look back and thank God for 'humble beginnings' - it teaches you how to hold on to your dreams

i occupied a higher herarchy level of office position before. But i encountered career crises that i transferred to another company and landed only an assistant manager position because i was only accomodated. I felt the job so small but later my co-employees gave me respect more than the other officers. Today, am still working inspite of my retirable age because the owner recognized my loyalty to them. I gave thanks to the Lord for teaching me humility and making me light to other employees.

On the job---I have been there and the Holy Spirit brought me to the place of 'who am I really working for, and why am I still here?' But years later I let a situation plant itself before me and now I'm looking at making some apologies. It's the same words I spoke to my husband before coming to know the Lord, if you don't get that promotion, I know you qualify, God knows the work you do.
This last time, I asked superiors a question of why, ethics type, for doing what did cost me a promotion, not so much why I didn't get the promotion, but was there a reason for doing it that way. There are lots of maybe's but I'm going to be just fine.

My first job at a top design company in the NYC garment industry was a dream come true. Until I realized that part of my responsibilities included being a "personal tailor" for my very superficial boss. She would buy the most expensive suits, then expect me to make alterations for no charge. At first I was very resentful, then I decided I would do the work but only during normal working hours. I did the alterations happily, but never on "my" time. When she realized the time I spent on her personal clothing interfered significantly with the job I was hired to do, the picture quickly changed. I have long since moved on from that company, but I still keep a different perspective. I am willing to perform whatever task requested - as long as it is within working hours, and does not go against my faith & personal values. I find by taking this this aproach it has opened up many doors for me, and I don't get resentful about any job I am asked to do.

I have always felt that God has brought me down a path of caring for animals and have found my niche with Ferrets. Just when I was getting all caught up with fund raising, getting the website up an running, and scheduling appointments, I sat down with a little three legged ferret who had been abused. Due to his awkwardness in balancing he had soiled feet. As I washed his feet I remembered that even a "menial" task is never beneath me. I felt inspired to do something that Jesus did, the washing of feet is honorable and afterwards the little old ferret gave me kisses and there was a warmth in his eyes that cannot be duplicated of pure love.

Thanks for being so honest and vulnerable. We all experience the feeling of small tasks and concerns about meaninglessness. I wish to also add that even LARGE tasks can seem just as small and menial. Contrary to shaming of any sort, I want to compliment you on your willingness to be "out there" and open about your struggles. The Bible is filled with other saints like yourself who have struggled over the hot sun and 'small' tasks. To me, the biggest suffering isn't the smallness or largeness of the task, but the search for meaning that is behind it. Maybe God wants us to move forward, or learn patience, or learn understanding of others who must always do small tasks. Once I asked God why he made me a clay pot rather than a vessel of beauty....and I guess God honors clay pots as of much value as any vase of full beauty. I just serve a different task than the 'beautiful vase'. But sometimes God puts discontent in our heart because it's time to do something different: whether that's viewing it differently or leaving it behind for something 'better.' Thanks for having the courage to be real.....and spiritual..... God loves the saints he tests. I'm glad God allowed us to keep the stories of Job, David, Daniel, Sarah, Mary, Martha.... God bless!

I also appreciate your honesty. We all struggle with being "self-focused." We all wake up everyday and, disappointingly, find ourselves human still. It's hard to not feel like we need to be "important." And it's hard to accept that, for some of us, what we are doing right now, our small little roles, may NOT be leading to something "bigger" anytime soon, or ever! This may be it. Sometimes it just helps to hear that someone else is struggling with it too. God gave us each other for that purpose. Thanks for sharing.

I have experienced almost exactly the same type of "menial" task assigned to me. Since it is my goal to be content in all situations, I strive to do without complaint.
I like to think that I am shining Christ's light when I take on a task which others have done but without complaining. I feel that this is just another way I can separate myself from "the pack" and shine like a city on a hill.
In my experience this has always been rewarded.

For months I took very special notes at church meetings. They were stored in a notebook that no one ever reviewed. Then 8 years later, during an urgent situation in the church the Senior Pastor reread the notes and was very encouraged by them, using what was reported as a foundation to help in the crisis. He publically expressed gratitude for the completeness of recording what was said and what had been decided in the meetings. The public reward was delayed, but I really felt good about having done the best I could when it was not obvious that it would ever be useful to anyone.

I am reminded again of an often forgotten trait that Mother Theresa exemplified. FAITHFULNESS.

Too often, we do work for ourselves or for others' approval. God want us to do the work anyway. He wants us to do it not because it's fun or exciting (back to Jesus' question about how different we wouldn't be from pagans if we did what was natural or attractive). He wants us to show that we do it well DESPITE its tedium or unpleasantness.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And our attitude is what will shine through! :-)