Comments on: Housework as a Pathway to Prayer—with Vermeer’s Women https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/ Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:46:56 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60747 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:46:56 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60747 In reply to Mollie Lyon.

I still play worship music when I clean, though often enjoy turning it off, and thinking or praying or letting my thoughts wander!

]]> By: Mollie Lyon https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60731 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:39:52 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60731 Catching up on your posts, so the comment I made on your recent one with Henri Nouen, may go with this as well. My dish washing time growing up, looking out the window at our yard I felt for sure was the precursor to Heaven comes to mind as I read this post. Oh, I resented, yet now love the hours I spent cleaning that house as my thoughts roamed and often landing on God. When I had a cleaner, a ‘complete Jew,’ I played praise music and she loved it. Now, I’m older and appreciate quiet.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60694 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:05:20 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60694 In reply to Gail Daniels.

Oh, I have resented it housework for most of my life, and have only, in recent years, used it as time to think, plan and pray! The hands work while the mind thinks!

]]> By: Gail Daniels https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60677 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 10:43:59 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60677 Thanks Anita, as someone who hates housework and tends to rush at it in irritation and haste to get the necessary over with, I really enjoyed the post, and the pictures are wonderful, so calming. I will try and use these thoughts to change my methods in future!
God bless, Gail

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60673 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:10:42 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60673 In reply to mari howard.

Hi Mari, I must admit I have a cleaner, and an early-retired husband, so I don’t do much about the house, 15 minutes or less most days (except for the cleaner days when I spent a couple of hours tidying and decluttering). But I enjoy what I do, and find it contributes to my happiness. And to my shalom. (I never iron though!)
Gardening, however, I love, and I spend an hour a day doing it.

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60672 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:06:30 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60672 In reply to Elizabeth Jones.

Congratulations, Elizabeth. I am sure you will be a wonderful pastor. What a wonderful outlet for your training, passion and experience.
And I just prayed that your series on prayer will inspire your congregation. I would have chosen that too–that or on Jesus!

]]> By: Anita Mathias https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60671 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:04:00 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60671 In reply to bluecottonmemory.

Thank you. I stopped over at your beautiful blog too. You are raising those boys so well!

]]> By: bluecottonmemory https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60663 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 04:20:14 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60663 “They hint how manual work–if used as time for contemplation–might be redeemed” – oh, yes, – how the daily work becomes a praise gift to Him. I’m learning to find the love letters in the daily – in things like the blue of the apron in the painting above -or the task of my hands. I so enjoyed the art – and the message!

]]> By: Elizabeth Jones https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60661 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 02:37:19 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60661 Anita, this reminds me so much of Brother Lawrence! Talk about practicing the presence of God.

I don’t know whether I mentioned it, but the Church Council met last Friday. They’ve asked me to be part-time pastor for their little congregation. And, I decided that my sermon series for the summer will concentrate on . . . wait for it . . . prayer!

May God be with us both as you and I strive to be more faithful in prayer. @chaplaineliza

]]> By: mari howard https://anitamathias.com/2014/06/16/housework-pathway-prayer-vermeers-women/#comment-60645 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:46:25 +0000 http://anitamathias.com/?p=61311#comment-60645 Way to go, Anita! Housework a wonderful blessing – think of the exercise one gets, as well as the chances, as you say, for contemplation, plus service to others, etc, without even having to put special time away. Multitasking, of a sort!

(But, my maternal grandmother worked as a housekeeper before marriage, so it’s in the nurture, and maybe in the genes, for me!)

Th e Vermeer is beautiful, isn’t it?

Ironing very good for a quiet, rhythmic break, as one irons the clothes and enjoys the wonderful designs on the fabric… often inspired by nature. Gardening the real thing, down among God’s creation, creepy-crawlies and all. 🙂 All best, Clare

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