THE COMMON TASKS

The common tasks are beautiful if we
Have eyes to see their ministry.
The plowman with his share deep in the loam;
The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home;
The gardener working with reluctant sod,
Faithful to his partnership with God-
These are the artisians of life. And, oh,
A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglow,
Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame,
Guarding a little child - there is no name
For this great ministry. But eyes are dull
That do not see that it is beautiful;
That do not see within the common tasks
That the simple answer to the thing God asks
Of any child, a pride within His breast:
That our given work we do our best.

                                        Grace Noll Cromwell