When we were in the height of the chaos of 2020, not going anywhere, not having anyone in, I clearly remember a moment that I flippantly identified as “losing my mind”, in which I briefly thought about ironing my cloth napkins. It was humorous to everyone, and like-minded stay-at-home-moms echoed that laughter, and we moved on with our days.

It wasn’t that long ago that I thought that the things that I do during the day are chores that I should move through as quickly and efficiently as possible. Life at home had become a matter of utility. All tasks should be endured, and completed so we could move on to whatever goal we have; sitting on the porch with a glass of wine, reading by the fire, shopping.

I am thankful that I no longer hold that opinion. When God called me to be a wife and mother, it was a complete calling. He didn’t give me a husband, a home, and children and then I accidentally tripped and fell into the dish-water. His calling was just that...complete.

Being a wife and mother is so much more broad and beautiful than wearing my baby in a Moby wrap on the beach. It’s dirty hands, hard work, it’s load after lovely load of laundry. Part of mothering is teaching my children that we glorify God in everything we do. Not only in the glorious things.

So that psychological lapse I had when I thought about ironing the napkins, became a purposeful Thursday afternoon, where I taught my daughter how to use an iron, and happily placed tidy napkins at the supper table. Even the mundane can be beautiful.