I guess I’m focused on the difficult things this week. Maybe it’s because we celebrated D-Day yesterday and as I watched so many precious veterans travel to Normandy and honor those who had fallen. I thought, “How did we go from that type of fearless young man to the ones we have today?”
I think a lot of it is because we lay our lives at the altar of convenience and consider anything that is inconvenient, much less difficult or dangerous, is wrong or must be changed.
What we call toxic masculinity, was the very thing that caused men to fight and die on the battleground to preserve the freedoms we have enjoyed out entire lives. Those at the center of the toxic masculinity narrative are those who desire to destroy this great nation. Why would we ever participate in that?
As a culture laziness reigns supreme. When men are not allowed to be the conquerors they were created to be, then they will become lazy. What else can they do?
Women have become no better…
I will never forget when I was a brand-new mother, and all my mom friends were constantly giving me hacks for how to do everything easier. Even then I felt a tug in my spirit that ease wasn’t the point. Leaning into motherhood wasn’t a series of life hacks. I found myself in the tedious, long moments of life. I connect with family in the labors of daily life.
When we first bought our house in Pennsylvania, I had a housekeeper come and clean once a week. Eventually, our situation changed, and I had to let her go. Then I discovered I’d been completely disconnected from the home, and therefore my family, because I wasn’t doing the labor of cleaning. I literally felt myself begin to root and connect with the family as I began to clean our home every week for myself.
God gave us work to do. This is good work. Daily tasks are one way we connect with God and family.
Have you ever looked at those in Hollywood and politics and wondered how they have become so disconnected from real life?
They have buffers for everything. Most of them don’t cook, clean, drive, or anything without assistants and help. This disconnects them from real life. Family. We wonder why they fall into so many troubles like divorce, affairs, and other things. Can’t you see that it began when they completely disconnected from the good work of the home?
Life is hard. That’s a good thing. It draws us closer to God and family. It refines us. Develops our character. Breaks off selfishness. We need tasks and things to reach for so that we will grow.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
365 Days in the Presence 