After such a great birthday (see post below), real life returned full force on Monday. I jumped into this art project with its short deadline, and of course we juggled other projects and our bank balance as well. Fun times.
By Wednesday, I was yanking dishes from the dishwasher and feeling bitter. It sure didn't take long to descend from the clouds. Why am I the only one to do the dishes around here? I'm working just as hard as "everyone else" Tom and yet here I am, ALONE, to deal with the stacks of spaghetti plates from the dinner which I ALONE cooked.
I wandered to the bathroom, where I noticed the potty - again, am I the only one to notice AND CLEAN the commodes? Big sigh. The sink, oh the sink. Seriously, could we not hang the hand towels neatly?
I noticed everything that day. And by everything, I mean everything that I, the serf of this small kingdom, do without thanks. Without a nod of appreciation. The bed-making. The cleaning, the laundry. So much is required of me to keep this place running. Why it's a wonder we even exist.
My bitterness settled into a comfortable martydom as I went about my day. This is what is feels like to be a slave, clearly.
Suddenly, uninvited, a verse or two dropped into my mind:
Do all things without complaining or arguing. Phil. 2:14
By love, serve one another. Gal. 5:13
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.Phil. 2:3
Ouch.
I realized in an instant that being a martyr is not the same as being a servant. That I was not serving in love the way I should be. And just like that, a new light was shed on my tasks...AND on the tasks that my husband has been doing thanklessly for me all along. I just forgot to look beyond my bitterness to see the grace around me.
Today's Small Thing is to serve. In love.
I know you are already serving and giving so much. I'm not asking you to do more than you're already doing. But I am adding the "in love" part to the equation because it makes all the difference. Those two words take service from "servitude" to "ministering grace." And ministering grace to those around you only happens when you willingly give of yourself.
Funny thing is, that grace comes back around to you in full measure. The more you give, the more you receive.
I like that.
Points: 50 for a real, tangible form of loving service.
What will you do, IN LOVE, today?
