Examples of An Artist's Craftsmanship at Work - 2

From last time's examples of an artist's craftsmanship at work, let's see if we can draw out some lessons to apply to our own work, whether or not our work is that of artist or craftsman.

From the get-go, we can draw the lesson of careful, detailed attention to whatever task that lies before us on this particular day of work. The emphasis here in not simply on careful detailed attention, but on this particular day of work. It's easy for us to slip into the "same old same old" mentality. The phrase can serve a purpose at times. But when it becomes our mantra day in and day out, we run the risk of missing the precious opportunity to create something true, good, and beautiful for God.

And, yes, that task we're working on can be turned into something true, good, and beautiful.

In our previous posts we used the example of the sanitation worker. How would such a person make this particular gathering up and transporting garbage true, good, and beautiful for God? 

It starts with intention. We begin our day, even better our day's work, even better this particular task, with the intention to make something true, good, and beautiful. Simply letting God know this intention elevates the meanest task. 

With that intention, our mind and heart can open up to whatever possibilities present themselves. Having never been a sanitation worker, I can only imagine what the possibilities are. But if you've ever had to do a particularly mean bit of work, either on the job, or, more likely at home, you can perhaps fire up the imagination here. 

A simple example: I like to cook. In the past, I've been totally sloppy in cleaning up after myself. Laziness? Sure. But that can be addressed, right? But sometimes, with peeling, slicing, chopping, opening packages of raw meat, etc., the sink can get pretty, well, disgusting. How often I have avoided thoroughly cleaning up! And with that one example, one can likely find other particularly unsavory bits of domestic work that can be turned from disgusting or unsavory into a beautiful work for God. We begin with intention, then move on the the particulars and make sure we perform the task without complaint, even cheerfully. And not only in our exterior demeanor, but within our mind and heart - no invisible or secret murmuring!

So all those tasks that present themselves as in some way a real chore or even a burden invite us to turn them into precious, unspotted offerings to Our Lord.

And if we need extra encouragement here, think of Mary. She was a wife and mother at a time when there were no modern conveniences to get the work of the home done: cooking, cleaning, washing clothes for example. If you've ever done any of these, you know that each can sometimes create dirty, even smelly things to make clean and fresh. And, yes, St. Joseph, Mary herself, even Jesus, could produce some of this. They lived lives just like us in every way but sin.

So whatever task lies before us, don't let it slip by unattended with the right intention, as well as execution that yields something true, good, and beautiful.

All of this takes consistent, persistent daily work. Each task, if ever repeated, can be performed better each time we perform it. But that won't happen without the same grinding, time-consuming effort that the artist applies to the craft they need to express their creative impulse.

Our current task may not be the result of any special artistic creative impulse, but our attention to it, consistent, persistent, on a daily basis, unites us with the artist in crafting the result to a true offering to God.

And by way of personal reminder, yes, that includes cleaning up after myself when I'm cooking!

Oh, and for this, you can check with my wife. She has gently but persistently brought this to my attention for, well, I'm embarrassed to say how long. Maybe this post will drive the point home so that she no longer has to remind me - or at least not as often!

So let's all gather ourselves to attend to this particular task on this particular day as we should. And with that attention, know that we are honing the craft of making everything we touch true, good, and beautiful. 

By the grace of God, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother!