Weekly Devotional Podcast - Serving with Gladness

As a mom to five little ones, I have those days when everything seems to go smoothly, and hearts stay happy throughout the day, and yes, those little hugs and kisses seem almost endless. But I also have the days where I am just trying to get ahead and make a dent in the workload, and it is like everybody “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” . . . today was one of those days.

As I sat on the ground folding laundry — a mountain that towered over my head — I heard a tiny voice yelling to the top of their lungs, “Come, wipe me off!” immediately followed by two little ones letting me know they had made a “giant mess in the living room.” It was a domino effect that morning, and I felt as if I would start one thing and leave only to resolve another, not ever completing anything I had started.

It was a little frustrating, and as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, my little Brooklyn tapped me on the hand and asked if she could listen to one of her favorite songs. Of course, I agreed and resumed my “mountain” work. As I listened to the words of the music, it stirred something in my heart — a feeling of gratitude to God for what He has done for me and praise to Him for Who He is.

The phrase, “serve the Lord with gladness,” came to my mind, so I took a moment to look up the passage:

“Serve the Lord with GLADNESS: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:2-4, emphasis added).

I guess it is easy for me to associate “serving the Lord” with ministry, such as playing and singing for church, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, or comforting a hurting soul. But the truth is, I can serve the Lord with joy even when I am washing those dirty dishes at home, mopping that sticky floor, or cleaning up that “giant mess”! When serving my family, I can do it “unto the Lord.” It’s kind of neat how the following phrase says, “Come before His presence with singing,” because when I feel joy in my heart, for me at least, singing always follows.

This perspective magically turns the overwhelming tasks into kingdom work. It changes the frustration to joy because I am doing this for One who gave His all for me, which is one of life’s greatest privileges. It is a blessing to serve my family in the mundane or difficult jobs — even on those tough days — because it is an absolute joy to serve the Lord. It is one of life’s highest callings.

Be encouraged.

Erin

#Podcast #Serving #Gladness #Faith #Christian #Parenting

Видео Weekly Devotional Podcast - Serving with Gladness канала Chad & Erin