Religion is not to be confined to devotional exercises
(John Newton)
Religion is not to be confined to devotional exercises - but rather consists in doing all that we are called to do, with a single eye to His glory and will, from a grateful sense of His love and mercy to us. This is the chemistry which turns every mundane thing into gold, and stamps a value upon common actions!
When a mother is making or mending the children's clothes, or teaching them, or cleaning the kitchen, or a saucepan - she may be as well employed, as when she is upon her knees or at the Lord's Table.
It is a great mistake to think that all time is lost - which is not spent in bible-reading, or hearing sermons, or prayer.
These are properly called means of grace - and should be attended to in their proper season.
But the fruits of grace - are to appear in our common daily course of conduct.
It would be wrong for a mother to neglect the house of God - and it would be equally wrong to neglect the prudent management of her own house. It is chiefly as a wife and mother of a family, that she can let her light shine to His praise. I would not have her think that she could serve the Lord better in any other station, than in that in which God in His providence has placed her.
A simple desire to please God, to walk by the rule of His Word, and to do all to His glory . . .
like the fabled magic stone, turns all to gold,
consecrates the actions of common life, and
makes everything that belongs to our situation and duty in domestic life, a part of our religion.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do - do all to the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31