One of my favorite things about Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket is that I got to feature the voices of some of my favorite people in the book. Catherine McNiel certainly fits that bill! I asked her to tell us a bit more about herself, her life, and her ministry.
Tell us about yourself, your family, and how motherhood and ministry connect in your life.
Hey there! My name is Catherine McNiel. My husband and I have three young kids. We live and work in an at-risk community, so we’re passionate about finding ways to bring “ministry” right into the daily decisions of our lives. One of my main jobs is writing, so I can hardly help but incorporate both ministry and motherhood into that.
You wrote an essay about motherhood as a spiritual discipline for Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket. What made you choose that topic?
Having been a mom for just over ten years, I’ve noticed an ever widening disconnect between the mommy lifestyle (whether your days are spent at home or outside the home) and the conversations of faith. How are we to find an hour a day of quiet time, or manage to attend an evening Bible study, when kids are needing us 24/7? Yet motherhood is such a perfect spiritual path; I’m confident we can walk this journey right into a deeper awareness of God’s presence. (In fact, I’m so sure that I wrote a book about it! See below for details).
What stands out in your mind as one of the most encouraging things someone has said to you or done for you as you navigate motherhood, ministry, and living life as a child of God?
The most encouraging things people have said to me are “Are you getting any sleep? Are you doing ok? I know these seasons can be hard. You’re doing good, important work. But I remember what it can be like.” And the most encouraging things people have done have been to just show up and be present with me, messy house, morning sickness and all. I think that’s really the best thing we can do for each other is just be a safe, loving presence in the reality of our lives.
If you could say one thing to encourage the people who are going to read Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket, what would it be?
I would encourage you to take it slow and small. Read the sections that strike a chord with you today, even if this isn’t where you left off yesterday. Find one or two things that you’d like to try and incorporate into your life…then come back again when the inspiration hits and you’re hungry for something more. This is the sort of book that will keep on giving, striking you in a new way every time you pick it up for a decade. Don’t feel like you have to change the entire world, in every respect, all at once. Live the season you’re in right now.
What’s coming up in your life, and how can readers stay connected with you and your work?
I’m so excited: my own first book is coming out next March, and it will be right up your alley! It is called “Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline” (NavPress, 2017). I’d love for you to look up the book on Amazon (its available to pre-order!), or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or my blog. Motherhood is best done in community, and while nothing beats face-to-face friends bearing coffee and casseroles, I love the connections I make online as well.
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