I just read a thought-provoking devotional by Oswald Chambers so I’m going to type the entire thing out because it was so helpful to me, maybe it will be a blessing to others, too.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31
Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow concerns of life are not ordained of God; they are as much of God as the profound.
It is not your devotion to God that makes you refuse to be shallow, but your wish to impress other people with the fact that you are a spiritual prig.
Be careful of the production of contempt in yourself, it always comes along this line, and causes you to go about as a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than you are.
Beware of posing as a profound person; God became a Baby.
To be shallow is not a sign of being wicked, nor is shallowness a sign that there are no deeps: the ocean has a shore. The shallow amenities of life, eating and drinking, walking and talking, are all ordained by God. These are the things in which Our Lord lived. He lived in them as the Son of God, and He said that “the disciple is not above his Master.”
Our safeguard is in the shallow things. We have to live the surface common-sense life in a common-sense way; when the deeper things come, God gives them to us apart from the shallow concerns.
Never show the deeps to anyone but God.
We are so abominably serious, so desperately interested in our own characters, that we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.
Determinedly take no one seriously but God, and the first person you find your have to leave severely alone as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.
~My Utmost for His Highest, “Shallow and Profound”, Oswald Chambers
This was such a blessing to me because I do have some spiritual pride inside of me that whispers that there is *something wrong* if I am not always walking around, meditating on, and learning great spiritual thoughts and truths. How liberating to confess that, and embrace with open arms and a peaceful spirit the shallowness of life, which is also ordained by God, my loving Father. Let’s face it, the deep spiritual part of life is not something most of us are able to keep up on a constant basis, and if we are trying to force it, than it’s not natural. It’s okay to just live life, shallow parts and all, eating and drinking, and whatever we do, glorifies God, amazing! So, today I am thankful for the deep spiritual life I have, and the shallow…..both are gifts from God.
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Grace is slowly getting better. I didn’t have a chance to blog yesterday because I was so weary. I actually had to sleep on the couch, for an hour, while the boys watched Seth for me, I just couldn’t bear staying awake. The sleepy day meant that only the necessary parts of life were lived. 
I have been trying to take some pictures in the last few days, because I was missing the feeling that photography gives me, that my life does have portraits of joy and memorable moments, always, even the challenging days.
I’m not sure Seth wanted to go in the box;
How can babies sleep like this?
Ethan came home with this nest for me. He said it was on the end of a long branch and if he had fallen he would have broken his neck. He must love me, if he risked his life to collect this nature treasure:
Davy-do had a field trip at a Nature Center yesterday and I bundled him all up so he wouldn’t get cold. He came home and said, “You made a terrible mistake, Mom. The field trip was INDOORS. I didn’t need all those clothes on.”
This morning, all five boys were hanging out together in the livingroom (David was waiting for the bus);
Caleb calls cider, “Apple Sodor” (because Thomas the tank engine lives there, on the Island of Sodor)
Grace got some extra sleep this morning, I was so relieved (she’s not a sleeper);
After Grace woke up, she got back into her favorite spot, on the couch. She’s kept her stuffed dog Sprocket with her all through her sickness, except for last night when he was washed and dried;
Rich, Jacob, and Ethan bought these roses for me last night, when they were on an errand;
I’m wondering if I should have taught Ethan how to light candles;
And that’s that! It’s about 10 in the morning and we have no plans except to keep taking care of Grace. Her stomach has settled down so that’s an improvement, but she’s still very weak and the fever comes back when the Motrin wears off.
Rich has tomorrow off and I can do whatever I want. Any suggestions? Here are some of my ideas: mall, to shop. bookstore, for quiet reading. hair salon, for a little trim before Thanksgiving. nail salon, for a pedicure. library, for more quiet reading.
The only thing is, I need energy for those things so we’ll see what happens.
Thanks again for praying for us! I really appreciate it!
~Shanda
Good to be Home 
Awesome post,Shanda! I plan to reread it and share it with a few others. I’m glad Grace is slowly improving. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I will pray that you have the energy to relax and enjoy some quiet time.Blessings~Cindy
I love coming to your post! You are so real. You have a blessed day taking care of you precious ones. God be with you.
I love Oswald Chambers and read and re-read the Nov. 18th (yesterday) one called Winning into Freedom which has been going through my mind. I totally agree with the idea that it is wrong to be “Deep” just for “Deeps” sake and trying to show it. But having said that, my Mom loved the Lord and showed us her walk and I am so glad that she did not hide it. I have had days where I am discouraged and do not feel like I am as “deep” in my walk with the Lord as she was and these writings do encourage me, but there is a part of me that disagrees with it. I need to read it a few more times, there is a difference between a pharisee and someone who was born more serious, Some people do think and meditate more easily than others and that’s okay. Most of Oswalds writing are his deep ponderings and I am also thankful he shared those and did not hide them. I see so many wonderful qualities in the simple faith of my children that are not overanalysed (sp) it is fresh and I want that for myself…okay I am going in circles now and probably am giving you a headache…I can’t believe Grace is still sick! So cute that she has kept the little doggy with her!Did caleb finish his whole glass of Sodor?I say you pick one place and stay a while that way you will not feel drained. Somewhere you can read.
Hope you have a very relaxing day of refreshment. This post spoke to me too. Thanks for posting. Sometimes I too think I am just to shallow and beat myself up about it. I need to focus more on just “living” and being in the constant state of worship and not strain too hard to be “deep”. Hope your daughter is feeling stronger too. My daughter started running a fever at school yesterday and was hot/cold. She seems OK so far this morning. (but I worry how many others will get it from her??).
This post really spoke to me…really really. Thank you for your simplicity and for all the beauty you share with us!! I would so love to be your neighbour!
Good thoughts, thanks for sharing that. I like the idea that even in the shallow moments of life we can and should live for God, yet not striving to be “deep” all the time. It is good though to be thinking how our moments are glorifying to Him or not. I have been fighting some of the “gollywoggles” myself, had a headache and tummy ache last night. I was supposed to take David to boyscouts because Bob was gone to a conference with work and I just was throwing a bit of a fit. I thought, “what is my son thinking of me as a Christian right now?”as I whined. Ugh! My flesh was winning. It is at those moments we can press into God, those everyday shallow moments. My moment was more of a “help!”, surrender,and just giving up. David said it was OK to just go lay on the couch, he didn’t have to go. I love all the pictures and sweet faces, the afgans, boxes, snuggling, and playing. So funny how babies can sleep like that, just folded over. Can Caleb drink all that huge glass of Sodor? That is amazing. Love the nest, candles, and roses! Grace looks so sweet sleeping and curled up in the couch. Hope she is better. I seem to have just a touch of the same sort of thing. Hmmm, maybe a bit of pampering for you…nails or hair and some reading. What feels enjoyable and refreshing without wearing you out.
Glad Grace is feeling some better…enjoyed your pictures, I’ve been kinda slacking on pictures the last couple days, this has inspired me to get my camera out…. Happy Day~ :o)
My heart really goes out to Grace. Two of my boys and I had it and it just hung on so long…. Reagen’s fever lasted 9 days. NO FUN and my mamma heart had had about more then it could take. Praying God will give you extra strength for these days and that the rest of your family will stay clear from the flu. Have a great day off tomorrow. Take it as easy as possible. 🙂
I don’t know you, but I totally loved those thoughts by Oswald Chambers. Especially for someone like me who can be an over-achiever. That picture of your little guy sleeping all doubled over is too cute! You take great pictures. Maybe I’ll subscribe to you if you don’t mind?!
My family has been focusing on God in the “shallow” parts of life this past year. We call it “Everything is Spiritual” around our house. Thanks for sharing.
Shanda,This is a great post. I love all the pictures- especially of Grace and her puppy! Your home is so full of life and adventure! I hope that whatever you find to do tomorrow is relaxing and enjoyable for you!
Thanks for sharing the devotional. Glad to hear Grace is feeling a little better. My neighbor’s kids all have the swine flu…it’s yucky stuff. Enjoy your day to yourself tomorrow. Your ideas all sound great. Enjoy the day and hope you’ll be able to get some rest today.
Huzzah for the road to recovery.Enjoy your day very much and I can’t wait to hear about it.
My husband reads Oswald’s devotional everyday, and is always sharing good things he’s read with me. I do like him too, I just don’t read him everyday! I like the picture of your nest on the book. I hope Grace feels better soon, sounds like she had a bad case of being sick! Enjoy your fun day tomorrow! How nice it sounds! =)
Lovin’ the green fiesta mug that Grace is sipping from.Hope she’s doing better by now.xo
the sleeping pose of Seth is juse like doing Yoga LOL. hahahan grace, hope u feel better now :)god bless u
Oswald Chambers ROCKS!!! I hope Grace feels better soon and I vote for a PEDI! With extra foot and leg massage. 🙂
The Oswald writing gave me something to ponder as I drift off to sleep tonight! ~ You know, Luci falls asleep in the car all the time in the same position Seth was in. Beats me how she stays asleep! ~ Your family continues to be in my prayers. ~ BTW my girls saw Grace’s wall (a few posts back) and now have their dresser mirrors plastered with “hand turkeys” (you know, the kind where you trace your hand first?!). They are working on snowflakes, next. That’s THREE of our bedrooms, unlike your house’s ONE, decorated with child art! ~ I hope you have a great time tomorrow!
I meant to post this awhile back, but I love the snowflake papers on graces wall…cute! Glad things are going a bit better! Good thoughts from Oswald. Never thought about how he put being shallow and profound.
Glad to hear Grace is feeling better! Enjoy your day out, I like everything you suggested! Don’t forget a nap to:)
i think grace and kate would get along well.. kate always has her “artwork” hung all over her walls too. 🙂 at times i get annoyed w/ the cluttery look – but try to remind myself in a few short years i’ll have perfectly plain painted walls to look at and wish for the papers hung everywhere again. :/let grace know we’re hoping she’s better soon~ xo.