The other night, I cooked a nice dinner. I did not want to. It was hot, I was exhausted, and I would have much rather spent extra money ordering something to pick up. But I know my husband feels loved when I cook for him. I know he also appreciates my efforts to save money by eating at home. So I mustered up the energy and came up with quite a nice meal.
He then came home to say that he'd already eaten. Our communication wires got crossed and I ended up feeling so discouraged. I felt like half the time, the things I do around our home are a waste.
I clean off a counter, just so the rest of the family can set all their junk back on it.
I try something new and healthy in the kitchen and no one likes it.
I paint my own toenails instead of getting a pricey pedicure in order to be a better steward of our money and it gets ruined in minutes from the trampling of little feet.
I teach my children good manners, good language, and kindness as the world around them teaches name calling, selfishness, and disrespect.
I organize (insert any part of the kids' rooms HERE) just so it can be undone into a big mess again.
So much of what I spend my time on gets reversed or seemingly washed away.
And God knows I've been wrestling with this feeling. So I'm not surprised that this morning, during my quiet time, I read this:
Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
Yes! Okay. I know this. (And how easy it is to forget!)
Nothing goes unaccounted for in heaven. Jesus sees everything I do, every effort I make to serve another. And if my heart motivation is to ultimately serve and love HIM, then my reward and my sense of satisfaction at the end of the day cannot be taken from me.
I think perhaps God removes our earthly satisfaction at times, gives us a taste of feeling like our efforts in this life are a waste, just to make sure we learn this lesson. Just to remind us that our hearts are not quite where they could be. It is very easy to "work for men," seeking approval and appreciation in all we do. That's human. It's a bit of a challenge to not need that recognition, knowing solidly that the Lord sees, and that His recognition is enough.
I pray we can go into our week knowing that we serve and love and work for an audience of One.
woa woa woa..is there a camera in my house? how did you know?
ReplyDeletexoxo
Oh this is so good Leslie! I think every mother can identify with you. I always remember Keith Green saying that everything he did for God who was watching (like cleaning the back of the toilets where no one else saw).
ReplyDeleteI could have written this! Beautifully said and so true... all of it!!
ReplyDeleteYup. So good. I feel the same way quite often. Thank you for the reminder to work steadily and wholeheartedly to please the Lord, not my family.
ReplyDeleteI was just sitting in the baby's room feeding her mentally flipping through my "to do" lists (that's right...plural...LISTS) feeling the exact same way. I know that I have to mop the floor, why bother, it will look exactly the same in five minutes. Thank you for this thought, the verse. We ALL think this. It just has to be coupled with this verse to get us through the day. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteyep. i'm glad you wrote this down. i think it all the time. it seems, sometimes, like a form of torture. doing something just to see it undone. deep breathing is needed to calm me down. there seem to be certain days that are just FILLED with this, huh?
ReplyDeletePerfect, perfect, reminder going into a new week. Thank you for it! I feel this way pretty often myself, but going into things with the mentality of doing it for Him and not others...well, we will never feel let down or unappreciated. Our expectation, satisfaction and affirmation come from Him. Just have to try and remember that when the kids spill chocolate milk on my just mopped floor :/
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful reminder!
ReplyDeleteLoved this!! you perfectly put into words the life of a mom....serving Christ. thank you for this reminder today!!
ReplyDeleteOk,I promise I wrote my post for tomorrow before I read this! Hahaha
ReplyDeleteThis just makes me love you even more!
I needed to read this tonight! I was struggling with that feeling picking up clothes, doing dishes, taking out the trash, and doing many other boring, repetitive tasks while babysitting my niece. What a good reminder that it doesn't go to waste. Thank you for sharing what God revealed to you! I needed that reminder.
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