Today I am here to review Glory in the Ordinary, by Courtney Reissing.
Now, if you are anything like me, you may HATE housework.
One of the reasons I abhor housework is that it is so boring and repetitive.
Day in, day out.
All you are doing is the same dang thing, without much to show for it.
No. Change. Whatsoever.
In this book, Courtney carries the main theme that your average everyday housework is ultimately fulfilling the Glory of God. She discusses how the fall made work to be not fun with the curse, whereas before it was supposed to be a thing to enjoy.
She then goes on to explain how she believes heaven is the image of what this world was supposed to be like before the fall. We are not going to be sitting around playing harps when we cross over, according to Courtney. Instead, God is going to assign an eternal task for us that we will enjoy (instead of dread) doing immensely. Our work on earth, according to the author, is made to prepare us for the work we shall be doing in heaven.
Courtney then goes on to say that housework is designed to love the people who live in your home through serving them, which I liked. Lately, I have been struggling with the idea of showing, rather than telling love, and to realize that housework is one way in which one might be able to accomplish this baffled me.
One concept I liked (coming from the perspective of me being a history graduate) was how the author ended up connecting how housewives were viewed back in the '60s vs. how they are viewed today. Back in the '60s, "housewifery" was the premier calling for a woman, with the husband being the main breadwinner of the family. Now, people almost look down their noses at women who stay at home, rebuking them for being a setback to feminism. There has also been a shift in vocabulary, from being a housewife to being a "stay-at-home". A woman is judged for how well she raises her kids, and by how many activities she has crammed into their schedule that she has to shuttle them to and from. More and more women who have even aspired to have professional, successful careers often end up being stay-at-home-moms, according to what statistics are telling us.
A final point that made me smile was how we as women often expect ourselves to be "wonder women" and get everything done. As a matter of fact, if you talk with other women, their houses are very likely not all perfectly clean ever.
One thing that kind of bothered me about this book was how she framed the very idea of rest. Courtney claimed something we all know, that rest is not a sin because God rested. Yet, she also from my perspective had an idea of rest that, if you were not "resting" by doing a fun activity or having down time with your family, then it was basically a sin. This is implied with how she addressed the theme of housework as being an act of selflessly serving the family around you. If you are not "serving" your family by relaxing with them, I feel as though she implies that you should not be "resting" at all.
In some ways, I do see her point. We are supposed to be a communal species as human beings, striving for each others company. Yet, if you are an introvert like me, being around people, including your family, can absolutely EXAUST you sometimes. You need "alone time" to recharge, otherwise you and everyone else will most likely be suffering for it. There needs to be a balance. Relax with your family, then realize when you have to be alone to recharge.
Overall, I would like to give this book four out of five stars. While I did not agree with all her points, for the most part, Courtney has helped me to, at least start, shifting my perspective of housework. Pick up this book today at lifeway.com or at any Lifeway Christian store in your area!
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