In Praise of Boredom.
My sister recently posted the following meme: ‘I love it when the kids tell me they are bored. As though the lady in front of the sink full of dirty dishes is where you go to find out about how to have a good time.’ As I chuckled, I also realized how true it was. The lady doing the washing up does indeed know a thing or two about ‘good times’.
As I child, I learnt to play the piano. I don’t remember it as a happy experience and I was allowed (finally) to drop it at the age of 13. Now 51 years later, I have taken up playing again and have been surprised at the delight it is giving me. The big difference is not age but the wisdom I have gained in knowing that the boredom is part of the process of learning: practice isn’t fun but it is necessary.
So many of the good things in our lives entail large chunks of boredom. Washing the dishes is probably one of the least of them. Yet we do those boring things for love. Indeed, the boring things can show what is most precious to us and make us capable of loving even more. It can carve our spaces in our hearts that we didn’t know were there. Then in the big open spaces of boredom, we may be surprised by the delight of love.
Loving God, let me recognise and appreciate the boring things of my life. Let me give myself lovingly in those time and find beneath the boredom just how much I love my family, myself and you. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb