The Blessing of the Mundane

Posted by laurieetta on April 14, 2024 in Being Human | 2 Comments

I was immediately drawn to the brilliant colors and composition of this painting. If I was able to do laundry in this setting, I probably would enjoy it more. It is titled, Wash Day on the Maine Coast, and was painted by N.C. Wyeth, an American artist known for his illustrations of adventure and historical themes. He was a realist painter at a time when the camera and photography began to compete with his craft, yet he created over 3,000 paintings and illustrated 112 books. His famous father, Andrew Wyeth, is best known for the painting Christina’s World—one of my favorites.

Wyeth’s use of color and light help create a serene scene. Notice the woman is painted with warm tones, contrasted by the cool blues and greens found in the backdrop. Just look at all the colors used in the upper righthand corner of the sky.

This painting is merely a depiction of a laundry day—devoid of any extraordinary or grandiose elements. Yet, therein lies some of its beauty—a spiritual essence that may be weaved into our daily chores. When we realize that even the simplest task can carry depth and importance, we uncover grace and purpose. Occasionally, a routine day filled with mundane tasks can indeed be a blessing. Mary Jean Irion understood this when she wrote her poem, Normal Day.

Normal day, let me be aware
of the treasure that you are.
let me learn from you, love you,
bless you before we depart.
Let me not pass you by in quest
of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
let me hold you while I may,
for it may not be always so. One day
I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself tart,
or raise my hands
to the sky and want, more
than all the world, your return.

Being Human connection: This scene has a sense of tranquility and timeless simplicity. May we find both in our day-to-day tasks and not miss the blessing of what we consider mundane. A day may come when we wish to return to such simplicity.

Featured art: N.C. Wyeth, Wash Day on the Maine Coast, c. 1934. Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of arts, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way” (Colossians 3:17 The Message).