Words of Wisdom from a Young MW
Yesterday I enjoyed a visit with a sweet friend, Emily. Her husband is an evangelist for a National Hoops ministry team and is the grandson of Del and Kay Washer, who wrote this autobiography, One Candle to Burn
So, they were in our area, and she texted to see if we could meet up for a chat. We met at a Starbucks and I enjoyed tea and a baby fix. 🙂
I love her ministry-minded heart, but what I love most is her desire to please and know God.
From my perspective, her life is not easy. She travels on the road most of the year with her three very young children in tow. She lives in a fifth wheel trailer– did I mention with three small boys? 🙂 Each week, they are in a different location. “Church” on Sunday is different each time, so although you are worshipping corporately, I can imagine it’s just not the same with different strangers every week.
The truth is, ministry is not glamorous, especially when you’re the wife. As a mom of young kids at home all day, I’ve felt lonely, side-lined, overlooked, underused or like all I am good for is taking care of things at home so Peter can go do the “big things.” Satan tries to tempt you to believe that you are on the sidelines wasting your life. He wants you to believe that what God has ordained for your life right now (children) is not the best for you and that He is withholding goodness from you, and trying to destroy your chances at happiness in life. (These are my thoughts, not Emily’s. She never complains.)
Emily said this: “I have to remember that even if I don’t leave this trailer all day, and I see no one else but these three little guys, I am still serving the Lord.”
She is so right. She is serving the Lord right where she is, regardless of how unseen she is. And that one statement is just an example of why this girl is such a blessing to me every time we visit. 🙂
Where are you today? Behind the scenes, nursing babies, caring for screaming toddlers? Yup. If you are caring for them “as unto the Lord” your work is not in vain and the Lord sees your labor for Him and will reward you. (And your kids will thank you someday!)
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Thanks Sarah! I needed this today too as potty training failed (again!) and my husband won’t be home till late tonight. I love Emily dearly too and in the almost 10 years that I’ve known her, I’ve never heard her complain either.
We spoke of you, Charity, last night. So glad you were able to visit with your dear friend not too long ago, as well. 🙂 I’ve only known Emily for a few years, but she is always cheerful. 🙂 What a great testimony!
If you only new how much I complain to the Lord!
Thanks for sharing our thoughts! I think I should read this every day as it is a daily struggle!
I love how the encouragement that you and Emily gave each other shouts out loud and clear in this post, Sarah. In one of those great theme coincidences, I just read some thoughts from Aimee Byrd, another mom, on serving where God has you: http://www.housewifetheologian.com/why-this-odd-fella-can-be-hard-to-love/
Cheers,
Tim
Yes, mutual encouragement is a blessing. And, thanks for the link…will read it later on!
By the way< i wrote about the blessing of ministering to young moms today at my blog.
With tears in my eyes, I thank you for this post! It is exactly what I needed today. The past couple of weeks have been so lonely, exhausting and behind-the-scenes with 2 boys, ages 4 and 13 months. Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂
Hang in there, Laura! I will pray for you today. It isn’t easy. It really isn’t. AND it gets easier as the kids get older. 🙂