When Ordinary Ground Becomes Holy
Well, come right on in outta them briars over yonder, friend, and settle yourself down right here on this ol’ front porch before the slammin’ of that ol’ screen door starts feelin’ like a fussin’ lil’ ol’ guinea hen that just discovered somebody had plum gone and moved her feed pan. Life can turn sho’-nuff’ sideways quicker than a lil’ ol’ squirrel skitterin’ across a wet fence rail. One minute you know exactly where you’re headed, and then, the next you’re downright wonderin’ whether God misplaced the directions.
Jacob sho’-nuff’ understood this.
In Genesis 28:10–17, he wasn’t havin’ one of them lil’ mountaintop spiritual retreats. He was plum runnin’ from trouble, sleepin’ outdoors, and usin’ a rock for a pillow, which sho’-nuff’ sounds less like a retreat and a whole lot more like a motel that deserves a one star review.
Yet, when Jacob awakened, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it,” Genesis 28:16.
That’ll preach right on into every one of our detours.
We plum expect that God will be in answered prayers, church pews, and glorious breakthroughs. But sometimes He also meets us in hospital waitin’ rooms, unexpected goodbyes, ordinary Wednesdays, and seasons that plum feel emptier than an ol’ corncrib after harvest.
Jeremiah 23:24 gives us this remarkable reminder: “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” God ain’t just only confined to the places we label as spiritual.
Not every disappointment was sent by God, but no disappointment can git to carryin’ you beyond His presence. The door that closed didn’t lock Him out. The wilderness didn’t lose His address. Even when you can’t trace His hand, you can trust that He hasn’t wandered off. He’s sho’-nuff’ right there with you whether you like it or not. What a blessin’!
Father, open my eyes to recognize You in places I would normally overlook. When life feels confusing, ordinary, or disappointing, remind me that Your presence has not left me. Help me trust You before I understand what You are doing. Make even the hard ground beneath my feet a place where I encounter You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now then, wander right on into your day, friend, but you gotta be keepin’ your spiritual eyes peeled. Don’t go chargin’ right on past God’s fingerprints like a lil’ ol’ deer that went and spotted the vegetable garden and then, plum forgot everything else. That ordinary patch of ground may just be a whole lot holier than you realize. That interruption may hold an invitation. And one day you may look back, grin toward heaven, and say, “Well, Lord, thank you so much that You were there all along.”
With joy,
Gwen
