Elisabeth Elliot once wrote: “We are called to be exceptional in the ordinary things - faithful in the little things - and trustworthy when nobody is watching.”

Elisabeth Elliot (EE) was born December 21, 1926 in Belgium, and died June 15, 2015 in the USA. She was a missionary, author and speaker. EE had only been married for a few years and the young mother to her daughter, Valerie, when her husband, Jim, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make contact with the Auca people of eastern Ecuador. Elisabeth married two more times - to Addison Leitch (1969 - 1973) and then - to Lars Gren (1977-2015). I recently read that her third marriage was difficult and unhappy. She realized very early in the marriage that she had made a mistake. Gren was manipulative and controlling, moody and needed to be right in all things. It was not a happy union. EE died after suffering from alzheimer's for several years.

This week I thought long and hard of the ordinary things that happen regularly in my life and how they turn out to be exceptional!

Keeping oodles of dry towels folded and clean - ready to be used by the grandkids after a dip in the lake or “tub tub”.

Baking “chocolate chip squares” and muffins regularly - ready to be eaten by same grandkids when they pop over for a visit.

Messaging my siblings and friends most mornings - reminding them I love them and am praying for them - checking in with them - listening to their life stories.

Making nutritious meals for Harv and I and all who sit around our table.

Smiling at strangers.

Keeping the snack cupboard stocked (for you know who).

Keeping it real at pickle ball.

Walking my beach route and chatting with the regulars (and the irregulars)!

These things are everyday - normal - regular - usual - common and ordinary activities but they can all be done in an exceptional manner. Paul - the great missionary and apostle said it this way -

“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain ‘jump’ and it jumps, but I don’t have love, I’m nothing.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut. Doesn’t have a swelled head. Doesn’t force itself on others. Isn’t always ‘me first’. Doesn’t fly off the handle. Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others. Doesn’t revel when others grovel. Takes pleasure in the truth. Puts up with anything. Trusts God always. Always looks for the best. Never looks back - but keeps going to the end.”

Be exceptional in the small things.

I also gave careful consideration to what it means to be faithful - reliable - integral - and dedicated - in the little things - in everyday tasks and responsibilities. Cooking. Cleaning. Leading. Teaching. Playing. Laundry.

There is an obscure little verse in the Old Testament book of Zechariah (4:10) and it says this - “For who has despised the day of small things?” I wrote the following statement on July 20, 2014 - 16 days after Randy went Home to Heaven. “This verse applies to our ministry through the years. Randy and I served the local church in four different communities for 35 years. We served faithfully in small towns and cities - in small churches. Randy and I loved on our people with all our hearts, strength, minds, and souls. Those churches were not a stepping stone to greatness. It was greatness. It is greatness.” I’m reminded of those years of ministry regularly as I often get notes and messages from those who attended our churches - notes to remind me that we served and loved faithfully.

Lastly, EE said - Be trustworthy when nobody is watching.” Ultimately, trustworthiness when no one is watching is all about living with integrity - which is living life in accordance with one’s values, regardless of eternal factors.

The books I choose to read. The shows I choose to watch. The things I search out on the internet. The thoughts I keep in my head.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” John Wooden

Honesty. Kindness. Compassion. Respect. Responsibility. Courage. Humility. Patience. Loyalty. Perseverance. Fairness. Generosity. Self-control. Thoughtfulness. When we practice these things in private - they will naturally be reproduced in public.

Elisabeth Elliot’s life work was to share these deepest things - the trustworthiness of God - the blessings of obedience - the hope of joy in the midst of sorrow - the call to love the hard to love - and the true meaning of Biblical manhood and womanhood.

It’s what I aspire to as well.