February 15, 2021 – that was my very first devotional blog post. And this post was that post. Now I am reposting it. As I work on it, June 5, 2022, it’s Carmen and my 18th wedding anniversary. It’s a plain old ordinary everyday life, this relationship of ours.
Ordinary to No One But Us
Our ordinary everyday life together is amazing. We love our mornings together. Matter of fact, we love our noons, evenings, and nights together. Our 18 years still feels like that first year.
So what a morning it is! What’s that you say? It’s just another ordinary, plain, and simple day? Well, let’s talk about our plain old ordinary everyday life on this ordinary day with some ordinary words of encouragement.
I have a confession. My phrase “this every-day-walkin’-around-kind-of-life” was inspired by my relationship with my wife, Carmen. This song pretty much sums things up: This Everyday Love by Rascal Flatts.
It’s ordinary, plain, and simple
Typical, this everyday love
Same ol’, same ol’ keeping it new
Oh, but I can’t get enough of this everyday love
If you just watched that video, that really sums up our relationship (testing the gag-meter). 😊
On our trips back home we found a little cabin fifteen minutes outside of Spencer, Indiana. Somewhere halfway between the metropolises of Terre Haute and Bloomington – nowhere USA. Convenient to the different locations of our kids. This is just minutes from little Nashville Indiana, where I first saw Rascal Flatts in concert in 2002.
What is an ordinary everyday life to us, is amazing to others. I don’t get it, but many think Carmen and I have a special relationship. I believe we do too, but to us it’s normal. It’s ordinary; just a part of our everyday-walkin’-around-kind-of-life just like it is or should be with Jesus.
Ordinary is Relative
I remember Mel Tari talking about the revivals of Indonesia back in the sixties in his book, Like a Mighty Wind. A revival is known to most of us as special services held over a weekend or one-week period, sometimes in a tent for added attraction. But revival was an ordinary way of life to those in Timor and the surrounding areas.
Ordinary (adjective) – with no special or distinctive features; normal.
I Corinthians 1:27 TLB
Instead, God has deliberately chosen to use ideas the world considers foolish and of little worth in order to shame those people considered by the world as wise and great.
King David was ordinary; he was a shepherd boy. The disciples were all ordinary (fishermen, a tax collector, a political revolutionist, a thief, and a Pharisee). Mary was ordinary – no one had ever paid unusual attention to young Mary. She was born to a poor family from the insignificant town of Nazareth. She didn’t stand out from her peers and would probably not have been voted ‘most likely to succeed’ according to Fortosis.
And at first glance, even Jesus was ordinary, but we know He was anything but ordinary…
Isaiah 53:2b MSG
There was nothing attractive about him (Jesus), nothing to cause us to take a second look.
Don’t be afraid of the ordinary; it’s the way our life should be. The supernatural should be ordinary. It’s the way it should be in Christ, in our family, in our relationships. God takes those who are ordinary, humble at heart, and uses them in ways that no one else would have thought possible or could have imagined.
Challenge of the Week:
Don’t underestimate your plain old ordinary everyday life, your everyday-walking-around-kind-of-life with Jesus. Make your week stand out by being extraordinary through Him. So be it!
Scott,
I enjoyed your blog and it was very encouraging. Keep writing.
Thank you Mary. You are very kind…and encouraging! Have a great day!
Great words and so proud of you
Thanks Kellie! It will only get better over the next several years, right? :o)
Congratulations on the launch Scott, keep it going!
Thank you David. You are a great encourager. I will keep at it!
I loved the blog Scott. At Church we’ve been talking about taking a pause, slowing down, being intentional. This read was a good reminder.
Thanks Curt! See you tonight at group.
Thank you, Scott! This is a nice way to start each day. God bless!
Thank you Gina – can’t go wrong with God’s word. Have a blessed day!
I agree with Chris. Thanks Scott for stepping out and trusting God with this. I pray it’s an encouragement to you as well as others.
Steve, thanks for your words. Yes, stepping out was hard. Especially for me as I’ve been too concerned for too long in what others might think. It is an encouragement and a positive challenge for me. Have a great day Steve!
Love your posts Scott!
Thanks Jeff. Appreciate your reply and encouragement.
❤
:o)
Thanks Scott…I love the way you share a message
Thanks for the nice words of encouragement Eric. Have a great day!
I agree with Chris. I look forward to reading what you have on topic each morning
You are such an encourager Mary Anne!
Bravo! This new format is excellent! Your thoughts, as always, are insightful and challenging. What a gift our Lord is! What a gift you and Carmen are!!
And what a gift you are Dr. Gaddis. You’ve lead me to all of this, I am so thankful.
Scott – Congratulations on your new blog.
You have blessed many of us with your positive words of encouragement Emails and I know your new Blog will multiply your positive impact!
You are a great friend. Let’s pray what you so is so. :o)
Good Read
Thank you Bill.
Congratulations on the launch of “Your Everyday Life” blog! I’m confident God will use this new media to bless and encourage even more of His followers. Keep up the good work Brother!
John, and my old friend Jeff. Thanks for the kind words. Let me know how I can be praying for your journey to impact others as well.
Great way to start the morning.
Thank you for the kind comment Chris. And congratulations on being the first to make a comment on my brand new blog page. May this continue to be a blessing and encouragement to you. Have a great day.