A friend gifted me a book called The Quotidian Mysteries by Kathleen Norris. Immediately, I sensed the book had something for me. While in England, I decided to practice one afternoon as my mother-in-love asked me to cut back a beautiful Buddleia bush.  I allowed my mind to wander. I engaged my senses. I explored the act of contemplation during a seemingly mundane chore. Here are my thoughts, photos and a few quotes from the book:

The Buddleia scent sweet, bees dancing busily, breeze blowing warmly on my skin, children giggling playfully in the next yard. –my journal

Dead cuttings beautiful in their repose. -my journal

“I admit that I generally lose sight of the fact that God is inviting me to play.” -Kathleen Norris

Laundry sunning itself on the line, sunflowers towering, cabbage whites flitting about, cleverly avoiding the lens. -my journal

“I have come to believe that the true mystics of the quotidian are not those who contemplate holiness in isolation, reaching godlike illumination in serene silence, but those who manage to find God in a life filled with noise, the demands of other people and relentless daily duties that can consume the self. – Kathleen Norris

In the end, the question my heart and soul asked: “Do I enjoy my Creator?” The answer is the true contemplative act, whatever task it is. So I will pose the question to you, dear reader. Do you enjoy your Creator?

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. -Westminster Shorter Catechism