I did not get my laundry this backed up; I promise! It's that time again when you dig around in the attic and pull down those change-of-season clothes. On one hand, I am so thankful to have clothes for my children so we don't have to purchase so many, but on the other hand, it's quite a bit of work to change out the drawers and clean all that laundry. You know, sometimes it's a bit easier to serve in ways that may seem more sacrificial on the surface: making a meal for a family with a new little one, opening your home to guests in need, visiting the sick, sacrificing financially to help a family in crisis. The times that make me grit my teeth and mutter under my breath? When I see the opportunity to serve those in my own home. There's a popular Pinterest "poster" right now that has a distraught woman leaning her head dejectedly on her arms with the saying above her that reads, "Why do they want dinner every single night?" And often, this is the thought that trudges along with me throughout my days. Why must I clean the same clothes over and over? Why must he leave his shoes there every day? Why is it no one can seem to put things back where they belong? And so on and so on. Now, don't get me wrong, I strongly believe in the training of children to be proper stewards of the blessings that God has given them, but sometimes my spirit just balks a bit when the Spirit instructs me to serve the Lord with gladness by serving those in my home. To truly serve is to stoop low with no expectations. To truly serve with joy is a gift from the Lord. I'd like you to continue to think that that massive pile of clothes was folded by yours truly in joyful thanksgiving of the opportunity to honor my loved ones but alas, that pile looked like a big old jumbled mess when I went to sleep last night. Unless there truly are laundry fairies that I've just somehow managed to miss my entire life, my dear husband stayed up late folding all those articles of clothing. That was such a sweet sight to greet me this morning as I stumbled out of bed heading for the coffee pot (which was also preset to start my day with rejoicing) We all face those small moments of our day when the Spirit says, "Stoop low and serve for My glory," but our flesh wants to rise in rebellion with grumbling, resenting or simply ignoring the moment to humbly be the hands and feet of Christ. The graciousness of Christ was seen in the gentle healing of the masses of people, the long-suffering patience of those who did not comprehend, the constant attention from the least of these and the bending low to wash the feet at His final Passover meal. I pray that that same Spirit will give me hands to serve with joy, ears to listen with patience, eyes to see the small needs, and graciousness to honor the gifts in my home with servanthood of Christ.
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