At the writer’s conference last weekend, Dan Merchant said usually none of his writing makes sense until the 5th draft. I almost fell out of my chair. FIFTH draft? Well, so be it. I am writing and re-writing my attempts at my first (real) book, Sacred Mundane: A holy revolution for ordinary days. I know you’re not supposed to share your book with people until it’s published, but why? I hope ya’ll will be part of the journey, part of creating with me, not only consumers of the finished product. So here it is, friends. A draft. The Introduction:
All the dishtowels smell. Try as I may to will myself just to not smell my hands afterward, I cannot help it. Each time I dry I instinctively lift my hands and there it is again—that sickening mildew-mustiness, the unfortunate result of one domestic mis-step, that of waiting one day too long to launder the kitchen towels. It’s weeks and many washes later. How could they still smell this bad? The towels are clearly punishing me. Just as those single socks sneak off, unmatched, and the chicken juice deliberately oozes all over the fresh spinach and the little one willfully wakes far too early and steals the only sacred silent moments to my name. I stack up all my grievances and settle in swiftly to my role as victim-SAHM, just as my pastor-husband, Jeff, returns from his early-morning men’s meeting.
I greet him with this: “May I burn the kitchen towels?”
He (wisely) chooses to ignore my question. Instead: “How was your morning?”
I don’t say: “Well, while you were off making disciples of all nations I was reading (for the 7th time) the encyclopedia entry on red-kneed tarantulas upside-down from across the counter while making oatmeal and drying my hands on my pants because all the towels hate me. I was wiping Heidi’s bottom with a napkin because we ran out of toilet paper (another conspiracy) despite the fact that I bought 48 rolls last month. I was scraping bright blue bubble-gum flavored toothpaste off the bathroom counter and advising against wearing a tutu with flip-flops out to Oma & Papa’s today since it’s 40-degrees. Then I was drying the tears that inevitably followed that advice. I was trying not to overthink the distance I feel from a certain friend, and really trying to rejoice that my agent signed two more book deals today … with other authors. Thanks, Facebook, for informing me of this happy news.”
Instead: “It was fine.”
Thankfully, a decade of marriage has taught him to read between the “fines” (sorry, atrocious joke), so he pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. He is my ultimate safe-place, where I can rejoice in victory uninhibitedly, confess sin unashamedly, and be myself unapologetically.
Reader, right off the bat I will tell you: My prayer is that this book provides a safe-place for you to be, discover, grow, and change. I will make every earnest attempt to be honest with you, if you will be honest too. I will resist the urge to paint myself perfect, as tempting as it is, to tell you what to do by telling you only the good I do. I will not display my highlight reel to compare with your backstage scene. The truth is, I am often a mess. There are days I glide gloriously, effortlessly embracing the sacred in the midst of the mundane, and there are days I limp pathetically, cursing dishtowels and imagining inanimate objects and innocent children conspiring against me.
You too?
The good news in all this: There is a holy revolution for ordinary days. And it has been growing in my heart for nearly 15 years, and although I am not what I will be someday, I’m not what I once was and for that I rejoice. Jesus Christ is changing me from the inside out, and there is truth and beauty and miraculous power available for us, to captivate our hearts and set us free. There is a mountain with a heavenly vantage point, an earthen spot so elevated above the profane that we can see all of life as it truly is: Sacred. And while I’m not standing at the peak of the mountain yet, I’ve gone far enough to glimpse its beauty from afar, and it’s worth stopping to call back, “Come! Come with me! Let’s join hands and scale the mountain together!” So I write this book not as an expert, having arrived, but as a sacred scout of sorts, who has seen a bit of the seamless life of wholeness and thinks it’s worth going this way together.
Will you join me?
The only requirements are earnestness and honesty. Let’s not be silly in our search for the sacred. If you want God, come with me. If you only want your idea of God, please pass this book to someone else. Honest seekers are always allowed. If you are an expert, you will likely not find this book much help. The truths we explore will be simple—the deepest ones usually are. The revolution comes not in discovering something new but in rising above all that blinds and binds to embrace the truth that sets us free: Everything matters.
I’ll be tempted to lie to you, I know that. I’ll be tempted to make myself look better than I really am. I’ll be tempted to try and write a cool book instead of simply sharing my story. I’ll be tempted to point to me instead of Him. You’ll be tempted to dismiss ideas presented here, thinking they are too simple. You’ll be tempted to skim the scripture-passages (I do it too) because you’ve read them before. You’ll be tempted to skip the stop-and-pray portions because we’re accustomed to consuming words and not receiving them.
Let’s receive, shall we? Let’s become little children and let down our guards and follow Him together in this holy revolution for ordinary days.
Are you ready? Good. I’ll be there in a minute; first I need to go burn some towels.
{Thanks for reading.}
28 thoughts on “The Introduction”
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Thank you for sharing your intro! I have had mornings (and entire days) similar to what you shared. Thank you for your honesty. I am excited to read your book! I know it will bless many.
Thank you, Amy. I’m so looking forward to meeting you and spending time together at the retreat!
I WANT God, I am coming with you!!! Get words, Kari. I can’t wait to read the entire book. I know it will be full of wisdom and grace, just like you pour into my life. You are a gift to me and I am thankful, your words from the Lord are awesome and a blessing! Love you!
Amen, Meliss! I love you so much. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement.
Congratulations Kari…and deep and abiding prayer from me as you walk on this journey. Can’t wait to read the final.
Thank you, Cynthia!
Thanks for sharing! Excited to see the final book. Keep writing and Sharing! You inspire me to dig deeper. Love you…
Thank you, dear Sandi! Love you!
Kari, there are few writers whose words can burrow their way into the depths of my heart. You, my friend, are one of them. Thank you for your honesty and encouragement.
It is too easy to fall into the victim-SAHM role and I’ve found myself doing it far too often these days. As I read the first paragraph of your introduction I had to run to the garage and grab the laundry out of the washer that needed to be hung dry, praying it still smelled ok! LOL. It did, thank God!
I want more of God and I would love to share this journey with you!! I am praying for you often!
Stacy
Wow, thank you so much Stacy. I receive your kind words and am so blessed! Glad you were able to save the laundry before it was too late! 🙂 Love, Kari
Love It!!
Thank you!
It’s great! Kari, you ARE going to keep most of this as your book’s introduction, aren’t you? Especially the part about burning the towels–don’t you DARE edit that part out!
P.S. I know what you mean about smelly towels! I made the same mistake with a small batch of linens, then put them away in my hall closet, oblivious to the odor I had created. Now, all my spare blankets, pillows, bed-sheets AND towels smell–the closet reeks of death.
It was only one tiny batch of towels! -_-* Another tear drop falls in the life of a home-maker.
Haha, thank you! I won’t dare leave out the towel bit. And now it’s funny because I’m receiving all this advice on how to get the stink out. So now I’ll be experimenting with vinegar, baking soda, and bleach. Although all I really want to do is burn them and buy new ones. 🙂
Depending on the cost of your ‘cleaning agents’, it may be cheaper to go buy new towels!
Please keep writing! God has an audience for your book. I’m one of them! Praying for you!
Thank you, sweet Beth!
Are you looking for some editorial type comments? It’s very good overall. The reader is definitely moved into your mental state. I do have a couple suggestions, however, if you are interested. If not, I completely understand as just about everyone has a different style of writing and editing. 🙂
Sure! Thank you! Email me: kari (at) karipatterson (dot) com
I’m cheering for you girl! I was really drawn in by this intro. I thought all towels were smelly! At least mine are!
Bless you!
Ok Candi, I honestly think the main culprit is that we make our own laundry detergent. I love that it’s all natural and chemical-free and mild … but maybe too mild! 🙂 I’m SO tempted to go buy some good ol’ Tide. 🙂
Your talent is a gift from God, to all of us. Thank you for your writing. Your words encourage me to strengthen my relationship with God, challenge me when my my motives are selfish and weak, assure me that we all have hard days and most of all remind me to love my God, my family and my neighbors. Thank you for those early mornings you spend under a quilt, with your coffee and laptop.
Wow, Lindsay, thank you so much for encouraging me. What a GIFT. I’m sad we won’t see you this weekend but love you so much!!
Hi Kari I can hardly wait to read your book. I can feel the presence of God when I read your writings so I know your book will be amazing. Your opener makes me realize that we all go through some of the same things. Sometimes we think people have a perfect life, when in reality, the only perfect life will be when we get to Heaven. Thank you for being obedient to God and for sharing from your heart. I am so looking forward to your book. May God bless you and your family and give you strength for the journey! Blessings my Friend. 🙂
Oh, thank you so much Marilyn! Even though I’ve never met you, I know you are an amazing woman, and what a gift that Shannon has you for a MIL! Thank you for taking the time to encourage me — it helps me and blesses me so much! Much love, Kari
buy some Tide…….papa
Love this! Can’t wait for the whole book. I’m currently enjoying Plenty. So far, every passage has spoken to my heart so much.