The Ministry of a Mother
“Mommy, can I have a cup of cold water?”
She’s precise like that, my 3-year-old, and cute as it is, sometimes her simple request can get lost in the others, in the chorus of children calling my name.
Sometimes I’m tired and the chorus is more of a cacophony; and I don’t hear it. I don’t hear the Savior’s words…
“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42
The smallest service, the tiniest act of love is seen and cherished and rewarded by the Sovereign of the universe.
“But I want to do something great for the Kingdom”, we say, even if only in our hearts.
How easily we forget…
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
The next time I’ll hear Him in my daughter’s voice. I’ll not fulfill her request out of a desire to simply make it stop. I’ll serve her, in love, in the name of the One who has called me to this important ministry–mothering these little ones.
His accolades are enough.
For more inspiration, there’s the book: When Motherhood Feels Too Hard
13 comments
Beautifully said. Words we all need to remember.
Very good post. Sometiems I find myself getting annoyed by the request for water after I’ve tucked them in and prayed with them (just being real). Especially when I am so tired and I just want to go to bed. I needed this, Kelly. Thank you… I will try to remember this from now on.
Thank you for the reminder, Kelly. I have been trying to remember this, and not ask one of the bigger kids to do everything that the little ones request. I need to get the drinks and brush the teeth and change the pajamas and a thousand other things that it is so easy to pass off to one of my “helpers”. After all, I used to be the only big person around here!!
Wonderful reminder.
What a great post!!
A very much needed reminder…especially serving *in love*.
LOVE this! I’m one of those who always wish I could be doing “real” ministry, but God gently reminds me that motherhood and being my husband’s helper IS ministry. Thank-you for this beautiful reminder.
I clicked on your site just as my almost two-year-old handed me his cup and said, “Juice.” He began walking toward the fridge, whining. I was annoyed that he would interrupt “my time,” and then tears sprang to my eyes as I read this. Divine intervention. Thank you.
The other day, I sat down to finally eat my lunch and a little one came up and politely asked me for water. I lost my temper and said, “Can’t I just sit down for ONE MINUTE.”
I’m so selfish, and they’re so wholly dependent on me. These small reminders make such a huge different in the dynamics of a Godly family.
Thank you for the sweet reminder. We are serving HIM when we serve others in love!!!
The same is true when we get a drink for our hubbies w/o them asking. We minister to Jesus.
And when I rub his shoulders, scratch his back, joyfully take care of his children. . . 😀
Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
I have gotten tired of the endless requests as well. But think of how Christ spoke about serving others, even going so far as to wash His disciples feet. When we serve our children, our families, in this way we are walking in His path, one He walked before us and showed us how to do. It put a new spin on it for me.
Wow. Greatly said! I needed that reminder!