Excellence in humble work

~ Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. ~ aristotle

What if the great work you are producing today is clean clothes, a good meal, and a clean house? What if the only people who will see your work today are your husband and small children? God sees no difference between painting the Sistene Chapel and making a beef stew. All work can be done for the glory of God. God asks only for our excellence and our joy. He did not give us this life so we could muddle through it satisfied with mediocrity...He gave us an abundant life so they we might learn to love Him and give Him glory. He asks us to do all of our work with excellence. As Mother Teresa recognized we can do "small things with great love."

A clean house and a good meal are the gifts we give to our families. Let us not do them with a resentful heart, but rather go about our work with great pride because we are doing His will. Make your work today the very best you can give Him in thanksgiving for the multitude of blessings He has given you.

In Thanksgiving for...

healthy children
steaming coffee early in the morning
a forgiving husband
a crackling fire in the fireplace
warm, homemade bread and peach jelly