Finding joy in serving

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life

as a ransom for many.  Mark 10:45

It was a rainy week at our house last week.  We found ourselves inside every day, watching the pouring rain out the window and wishing we could go outside.  Let me rephrase that:  I found MYSELF watching out the window, wishing MY CHILDREN could go outside.

There was a brief respite one of those days, when the house was quiet and all the children were playing happily with each other.  I looked around the house, and it was a MESS.  You could barely walk across the floor without stepping on a Star Wars guy or a Littlest Pet Shop animal.  Legos were scattered from here to there, and the boys' room was a mess of paper, string and glue from "projects."

Fast forward to Saturday, when it finally got nice outside.  We wanted to go play at the beach, but I knew the messes had to get cleaned up.  So we started cleaning.  I experienced some frustration, though, when it seemed like I was the only one working.  Putting one load after another in the washer, scrubbing the toilet, sweeping the floors.  I was muttering to myself (ok, probably louder than muttering), "Boy.  It must be nice to have a servant."  

So many times, as mothers, we feel that way.  There are days when we feel like we are nothing more than servants to our families.  We wish we could sit back and be served, for once.  We wish we could have someone waiting on us for a change.  It's hard not to complain about the vocation we've been placed in.

There is One, though, who came to earth to be a servant, and never wavered from it.  Jesus came to earth to serve, through his suffering and death on the cross.  He comes as the ultimate servant, sending the Spirit to wash away our sins at the baptismal fount.  He offers us His word, showing us the forgiveness he gives us.  In, with, and around the bread and wine, He gives us his body and blood, assuring us that our sins are gone.  He never tires of serving us.  Through His promises, I remember that I'm much more than a servant to my family.  I am a Child of God, and I will reap the benefits of that for an eternity.  

Knowing this, suddenly the laundry doesn't seem so bad.

Dear Heavenly Father, Mothering is never easy.  There are days that we feel like servants, here to wait on our families.  Remind us of your Son, who came to earth to serve us.  Thank you for the gift of forgiveness that you give through Him.  Help us to praise You in everything we do.  In Your name we pray, Amen.