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From the Hearth

Written by Judy Douglass

“Mom, I’m hungry!”

“Mom, where’s my brush?”

“Mom, where’s my library book?”

“Mom, I can’t make this glue stick. It won’t work. Make it work!”

“Mom, the cat knocked her good and water all over the kitchen floor!”

“Mom, I had a horrible day at school. No one likes me. I can’t do anything right!”

“Mom, I spilled grape juice on my shirt. Can you get the stain out?”

“Mom, please tie my ribbon.”

“Mom, Michelle just threw up all over her bed.”

“Mom, I can’t sleep. I had a bad dream and I’m afraid.”

I could go on and on. I might hear all these requests – and many more – in any one day. The needs and demands have lessened and changed a little as my girls have grown older and more independent. But the opportunity to serve is never-ending. Because that’s a major part of being a mother – being a servant.

I’ve always been a little envious of those who have the gift of serving. It comes so naturally for them. Sure, I could fix a meal when needed, or provide a ride, or baby-sit or give a hug (I’m pretty good at that). My serving skills seemed adequate, but not abundant.

Then I had kids. And I found out what being a servant really is – on a non-stop, 24-hour basis, caring for little people who had so many needs and no ability to care for themselves. It has not been an easy process. Many times, when the demands have been overwhelming and my resources have seemed minimal, I have cried to my children, “I am not your servant!”

But I am! And what a privilege and opportunity. For that is what the Lord Jesus said we are to be – for our families, for our friends, for our co-workers, for all those he brings into our lives. No, we can’t meet everyone’s needs, but we are to have a servant’s attitude, a servant’s heart.

Jesus, after washing the disciples’ feet, said to them,

“Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Me Teacher, and Lord; and you are right; for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:12-17).

The Lord wants me to be a servant. And since I’m not too good at it, He was kind enough to send me two little people to teach me to serve, to help me grow in Christ-likeness.

Tags: Bible study, Family, Judy Douglass, parenting, spirituality, teens