The Elixir

This is the name of a great poem by George Herbert [to be found as hymn 487 in the 1962 Baptist Hymn Book] Here are a couple of verses…

Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything,
To do it as for Thee.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine :
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws,
Makes that and the action fine.

I quote them here because I plan to be humming them to myself all day – I have no teaching booked, and intend to spend the day spring-cleaning. I do not wish to get distracted, and need to keep reminding myself that doing the laundry, and cleaning the kitchen floor can be noble acts!

[Woman Ironing by Edgar Degas]

but if I am honest, I would rather be doing this…

[Woman Reading by Georges Croegaert, Belgian artist 1848-1923]

or this…

[Artist’s Wife Sewing by Maxwell Ashby Armfield 1881-1972]

A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.

[From Proverbs 31, The Message]