There are places of beauty everywhere …
In the everyday, the ordinary, the mundane, and the unexpected
We look high and low, but lose sight of what is right in front of us.
Sometimes the most beautiful part of our day is right next door.
What have you noticed recently? Have you pressed pause to notice the ordinary? If you stopped to take that deep breath, what did you see around you?
In recent weeks, as I read Shannan Martin’s new book, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, I discovered the blessing of pausing to notice the ordinary. I started looking for big and ended up discovering beauty in the small.
To notice the ordinary, I needed to step back, breathe deep, and see things through God’s lens rather than what others expect. What God showed me is how to find beauty in the cracks, side streets, and sweet conversations with neighbors.
When we take the time to notice the ordinary, we gain a sense that ministry is not meant to be an “across the miles” proposition, but instead close to home, in our own neighborhood. Think about the difference you could make when you realize you are as qualified as the next person. And all it takes is intentionality and attentiveness right where you are.
[Tweet “I started looking for big and ended up discovering beauty in the small. #TellHisStory”]
In Shannan Martin’s new book, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, she describes her journey of noticing her neighborhood and it’s beauty through the simple act of walking to school, welcoming neighbors to sit around her table, becoming part of the neighborhood church community, and just being there with an open heart and willing soul. The simplicity of these acts makes it seem easy. The answer is easy and Shannan challenges the reader to live with intention by working to:
Uncover the hidden corners of our cities and neighborhoods and invest deeply in the lives of the people around us.
But Shannan doesn’t stop there. Living with intention involves getting to know your neighbors and staying around for the long haul. I’ll admit this is not always easy for my introverted personality. What about you?
What I love about The Ministry of Ordinary Places, is Ms. Martin’s format that divides the book into four parts. It moves the reader from understanding who your neighbor is to how to love like a neighbor, work like a neighbor, and love for the long haul. Each part is packed with gifted storytelling, real life examples, and a call to take the next step.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
Though our lives feel ordinary and small, we’re compelled by the possibility of making a difference where the problems loom large.
Simply put, we cannot love what we do not know. We cannot know what we do not see. We cannot see anything, really, until we devote ourselves to the lost art of paying attention.
We were not made for the curated image of success and comfort but for the grit and glory of heartbroken humans on trash day.
Hospitality. It sounds kind of fancy, but its meaning is simple, bare bones, pure, and entirely holy–you are invited.
The way we spend our love is the way we spend our lives.
Sympathy without action is no more than wasted breath.
Shannan Martin lives her life noticing and paying attention. Her daily walks to school led her to begin this process of seeing the small in her ordinary life. Everything that Shannan continues to do looks like making space at her table for an impromptu meal, advocating for the neighbor’s kids, listening well, and just living as if the most important people are the ones she runs across on a daily basis. There is no pretentiousness, trying to fit in to what the world says, or seeking accolades. You will discover that Shannan is the real deal.
[Tweet “Join me on the blog for a review of Shannan Martin’s new book. #ministryofordinaryplaces”]
In her book, there are Bible verses scattered throughout. The one that impacted me the most is from John 4:35:
‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
We can live our lives with blinders on or we can choose to notice the ordinary. The time is ripe right now–right where you are, so don’t delay! Jesus said the poor will always be among us as a promise. And when I think of poor, I believe it spreads across all socio-economic backgrounds.
Join me in sharing about Shannan Martin’s new book, The Ministry of Ordinary Places.
Thank you! I am so blessed by your beautiful spirit of community!
P.S. I did not get a chance to read your posts from this past week. I was gone on a mini vacation and I began my part time job. Please know how much I love your words and am looking forward to diving in this week.
P.P.S. You can order The Ministry of Ordinary Places by clicking HERE. (affiliate link included)
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I loved this book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. laurensparks.net
Shannan has such a down to earth way of writing while at the same time challenging the reader. I loved her book and was blessed to meet her this past April. Meeting her brings her words to life because now I can “hear” her saying them.
This is the second review of this book I have read. Maybe God is trying to tell me something?
The art of paying attention is definitely something I need to work on. Most of the time, I’m walking around thinking of the words in my brain and how I can get them on paper. But I do know God’s will is for each of us to interact with each other. We can’t do a good job of that without paying attention.
Love your photos! They look a lot like the scenery in my part of the world. I also love to take pictures of paths in the woods.
Shannan’s new book is a treasure. It is easy to get distracted by other things. God is patient and He loves the times we stop and notice the sweet gifts He has left behind. I pray you find God in your ordinary. Blessings!
Thank you Mary for bringing to us the beauty that you find in your ordinary days and walks. Your photos and words are always such an encouragement! I pray for eyes opened to see more of that in my own days too!
Thank you! I love walking and taking pictures. And if they bring others joy, that is an extra bonus. I am joining you in prayer that we all notice the ordinary and give praise to God for the sweet gift.
I’ve heard so many good things about this book! I cannot wait to finally get my hands on a copy!!
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the book after you read it. Blessings!
The book sounds lovely! My husband and I were just talking about getting to know the people around us better. Maybe this will help 🙂
Shannan Martin’s book will challenge and inspire you to want to do exactly that. It has changed my perspective. Thank you for being here.
You’re the second person this week to recommend this book. Emily P. Freeman was the first. Guess I’m going to have to read it!
You know it is good when Emily P. Freeman recommends a book! 😉 It truly is a wonderful read. I hope you will put it on your to read list and then read it.
We sure can feel small and oh so ‘too’ ordinary in our world, can’t we. I know I could use a ‘wake-up’ call to see the harvest is here already that God wants me to attend too!
Thanks for introducing me to this book Mary!
I am joining you in asking God for that wake-up call. I know I need to be intentional in order to notice the small and ordinary. I find I am much better at doing this when I am out walking, but not as good when I am in my own neighborhood. Blessings, friend!
This sounds like a great book, Mary! There are so many blessings to be found in the small and the ordinary when we keep our eyes open and look for them. And noticing those around us makes such a difference!
There are so many blessings we miss because we are looking at the wrong things. Shannan Martin’s book is her story of living out how to pay attention and be there for the long haul in her own neighborhood. I have met her and she is definitely the real deal. Love seeing you here, friend!
Sounds like a great resource! I think most of us are called to minister in these everyday “ordinary” ways – and even those called to large ministries are called to minister in these ways, too. I am introverted as well and tend to keep to myself in the neighborhood. I see several of the neighbor women sitting under a tree in someone’s yard talking several times a week and wonder how they have time to do that. 🙂 But I need to be more available for such things.
This book is a great read and beautiful way of learning how to serve our neighbors. I am going to pray for you right now that the next time you see those women sitting and talking together that you have the courage to join them. You hit the nail on the head when you said we need to be available. Notice the ordinary, pay attention and be available seems to be the winning combination. Thank you for sharing your own feelings on this.
Oh yes, Mary. I’m learning, too, there is beauty in the ordinary. I’m trying to open my heart more to it. It’s so different when we look through God’s lens, isn’t it? Thank you for this reminder. I love your photos as always! Love and hugs to you!
I see you capturing your own beauty through your words and your pictures. You have a heart for noticing the ordinary. Shannan Martin’s book leads the reader to paying attention in their own neighborhood. It is with the knowledge that changing one person is the first step in making a bigger difference. Thank you for your willingness to share and just for being here.
This book is moving people. I saw a FB live today by someone and she was moved to tears. Will def put it on my list.
Shannan Martin writes from the heart and has lived this life of paying attention and being there for her neighbors for the last six years. She makes it look easy but honestly it is no easier for her than it would be for us. She chooses to intentionally be there. Thanks for being here.
This book sounds like a good challenge for me. I have a huge heart for missions – and tend to think internationally, etc. – too often forgetting there is ministry right next door and right down the street. The whole truly “getting to know” my neighbor is a tough one for me. But, that’s okay. Thanks for the encouragement.
I agree with you that getting to know our neighbors is difficult. Sometimes we are faced with neighbors who come out to go to work and immediately go in after they get home from work. This is where I am challenged. I pray you find the courage as well as the motivation to take that first step toward getting to know your neighbors.
Mary,
Thanks for your review….I’ve been noticing that God has been calling me to notice the things that people just pass on by – the intricacy of a flower, how cloud formations change, the sound of crickets at night. I don’t have to go on a big expensive vacation…sometimes just taking a walk and using my five senses takes me on a wonderful journey. Will definitely have to check out her book!
Blessings,
Bev xx
ps. You’ve encouraged me to get into photographing the small beauty I find 🙂
Don’t you love how God calls us to the small rather than the big?? We see the ordinary so differently through God’s lens. I hope you find time to read Shannan’s book. It certainly has given me a perspective change on how I view my neighbors. And what a compliment that you are photographing the small beauty you find. Yay for you!
This sounds excellent, Mary! In the midst of such busy lives, these truths are vital. This sounds like a great read and I love this quote:
“Simply put, we cannot love what we do not know. We cannot know what we do not see. We cannot see anything, really, until we devote ourselves to the lost art of paying attention”
It is a wonderful read and I was thrilled to be part of Shannan’s launch team. I was able to meet her this past April so her book just brought her story more to life. There were so many quotes I underlined in the book, but not enough space to share them all. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m taking this with me as I head out into the day, Mary –>’Have you pressed pause to notice the ordinary?’
Your post links up to your recent one on walking. It’s there we find our neighbors, nature’s beauties, the strength that builds in our legs and lungs. It’s there I do my best thinking, best praying.
But only when my phone isn’t on …
My phone is only on to take photos and sometimes listen to music or podcasts. But I am intentional in choosing what I listen to. It truly is extraordinary to spend time pausing to notice the ordinary. I pray you have many moments like this during the week.
This sounds like such a good book, and so needed by this introvert who defaults to living inside my own head so much of the time. I’ve put off adding this one to my reading pile, but I think I’ve got to give in . . .
I was listening to Shannan Martin on Annie Downs’ podcast this morning as I was walking. What I loved about this interview/conversation is how Shannan reminded us that even if we notice and pay attention to just one person, that is what it will take to make a difference in the world. And Shannan described how she and her husband are both introverts. So I think that we can do this too, Michele! 🙂
Yes, Mary, one person, one conversation at a time.
YES!