A Prayer to Beautify Mundane Tasks

Hello, dear people of the Internet! I hope your day is going well. Our microwave decided to half fall apart this morning, so that was exciting in its way (if you want to know what half falling apart means, it means that it will still heat up food, but if you aren’t careful the door will come off of one of its hinges).

Even if your microwave isn’t broken (I hope it isn’t), I don’t doubt that things often don’t go as planned in your life, and that it’s easy sometimes to become frustrated and dissatisfied. So I’d like to share a poem with you which I hope will inspire you as you go through your sometimes not very attractive routine.

The Housewife’s Prayer

by Blanche Mary Kelly

Lady, who with tender word

Didst keep the house of Christ the Lord,

Who didst set forth the bread and wine

Before the Living Wheat and Vine,

Reverently didst make the bed

Whereon was laid the Holy Head

That such a cruel pillow prest

For our behoof, on Calvary’s crest;

Be beside me while I go

About my labors to and fro.

Speed the wheel and speed the loom,

Guide the needle and the broom,

Make my bread rise sweet and light,

Make my cheese come foamy white,

Yellow may my butter be

As cowslips blowing on the lea.

Homely though my tasks and small,

Be beside me at them all.

Then when I shall stand to face

Jesu in the judgment place,

To me thy gracious help afford,

Who are the Handmaid of the Lord.