I change the bunny’s litter tray again. (Wait. “Litter tray” just doesn’t quite capture it. Disgusting poop dish is more like it. Gag.) I search for matching socks and scrape dried batter from the muffin tin. I wipe pee-pee off the floor because my boys seem to forget how to properly aim at that big, white, porcelain thing in the bathroom.
But it’s more than that. The enjoyable things intermingle with the messy. I color with markers and take my kids for a walk to the pond. I text friends and wake up early to be with my God. I work on my manuscript and carve out time to tap away on my little blog — a tiny sliver of the vast expanse called cyber-space which overflows with a multitude of gifted writers.
Then it becomes bedtime, and I wonder. Did I really make a difference today? Did I actually make some eternal impression on my family and my world? Or were all of my efforts as insignificant as I’m tempted to think they were?
That’s when He reminds me of the souls behind the faces and the “why” behind my serving.
Whether I serve my kids, to whom I give nearly every one of my waking (and sleeping) moments — like it or not.
Or my man, whom I want to bless with the way I keep our home or the way I prepare our meals — even if I do deceptively hide green vegetables under layers of likeable foods.
Or you. Yes, you. I know you could choose to spend this minute in a million other places, so I thank Him that you pause here with me. And I pray we both know Him more intimately today.
When it comes to serving, if I serve in love, then I make an eternal impression — no matter how common the task may seem.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
We may not see the results to our endeavors. Others may never even know the sacrifice — especially young ones who repeat “mine” as if they get paid to say it. But when we see the souls behind the faces, when we cross over and truly serve out of love for our Maker and love for those around us, then an eternal impression is absolutely made. Because He does that with love. Through it He transforms the entire world.
Fill me, Lord…
What inspires you to press through and serve in love?
Wonderfully written and a great reminder of why we are to do all we do! Thanks again Lara!
Thanks, Jen. 🙂
Thank you Lara! This could not have come to my inbox at a better time when I desperately needed this encouragement. I echo EVERY word. Now, may I remember it for the next 15 hours and beyond. “As unto the Lord,” “as unto the Lord,” “as unto the Lord.” Can I put away the laundry, stroke the fevered brow, and finish the speech . . as unto the Lord? Let’s hope.
Praying for you and the message He is leading you to give. He faithfully equips us for any call He places upon us, friend. Blessings!
“When it comes to serving, if I serve in love, then I make an eternal impression — no matter how common the task may seem.” Love that line. The mundane is so very purposeful in His eyes!
Yes! Hard to remember at times. But true.
That scripture was one of my favorites when I had my little children. It still is.
It’s always so uplifting and encouraging to remember that changing diapers, trimming nails, wiping sticky hands and faces, and yes – wiping up pee splatters DOES have eternal repercussions… I am teaching by example how to obey joyfully, how to “walk and not faint”… Oswald Chambers talks about the discipline of drudgery, about how the mountaintops and obviously “spiritual” moments/events in our lives don’t express our true life with God as the simple everyday “dull” *walk* does. It’s the walking without fainting that shows the glory of His power in us, more than the spectacular sprints.
On a practical side… cheerios in the toilet are fun to aim at… ;0)
Love that comment! Thank you. (And I need to just put a dish of cheerios in the bathroom. Thought we were past that point. :/ )
Such a great reminder Lara! Remembering that we are all ONE in God inspires me to press on. Its that simple truth that what I do (for better or worse) really does effect so many other things and people keeps me serving in love.
Unity. Yes! One in Him. Love to you, Keya.
On the practical level: LOVE the cheerios suggestion.
On the philosophical level: Francis Schaeffer’s sermon No Little People No Little Places has helped me tremendously.
“… in God’s sight there are no little people and no little places.” Francis Schaeffer
My children are 24 and 26 now, so I am not facing your challenges, I have others. But Schaeffer’s words are true to the core.
Oh I need to read that sermon! Beautiful quote! Thanks, Penelope. And regardless of what season life finds us, the call is the same. Serve in love. Blessings!
You make a difference. Every day making the little adjustments to angle your mirror-of-a-life just perfectly in line with the Light. It reflects, and hits your kids, your husband, your friends, even if sometimes (like mine) it is skewed slightly off-center. Thank you for this bare, questioning, encouraging post, my friend.
I have to remind myself that everyday is a teaching day with teaching moments to my cherubs. Sure they may not understand the no’s and ‘now’s not a good time’ or ‘because I said so’…but I have to hope that eventually all of these teaching moments will sink in.
Your post could not have come at a better time. I’ve been spraying my dog with a water bottle & yelling at my cherubs all day!
This one… needed today. Timely. Today is sparkling with “coincidences” of this message. I’m thinking my Heavenly Daddy wanted to whisper encouragement into my weariness. Grateful that He whispered it to yours and you let it run through your fingers into the keyboard. <3