This is No Lie!
Yet it is my struggle to keep
The right frame of mind,
That of Christ.
My mother recently had surgery and is in a neck brace for 8 weeks. She is in need of my time and assistance. I have given of my time and abilities willing amid my busy schedule and when I have not been at my best, yet, God has come through and given me strength. With His help, I will continue to do so. I have also given of my time to my sister who is a mother for the first time. She needed me to come and assist with my niece while she did some baby-proofing. I do not say this to brag but to give examples of how God has called me to serve my family. Serving others has brought me joy.
Giving of myself, when it would be so easy to find an excuse not to, has been a joy. In doing so, I have been Jesus with skin on to my extended family. I have been tired and some of my own family needs have had to be set aside but God reminds me that I am to put myself aside, not be obsessed with getting my advantage, and I am to forget myself long enough to lend a helping hand. This is what Jesus did for me and for all of us. He had equal status with God but did not cling to the advantages of that status. He became human and stayed human living a selfless life even unto death on the cross.
I like how 2 Philippians 2:1-4 in the Message reads,
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
The struggle comes when I am tired or I find myself wanting time for myself. Yet, it is Christ in me that leads me to give of my time and by doing so I show that I love my family. Without Him, I know that I would be greedy with my time and be resentful of what I do give. God’s grace is sufficient to meet all my needs. Serving the Lord with gladness is the motto of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
My Prayer: Father God in heaven, You make all things possible. Thank You for giving me strength to serve my family. Forgive me when I am self serving. Give me a willing heart and help me to meet all my needs as well as those of others. By Your grace, Amen.