a little maid

do you ever feel insignificant?Do you ever feel like what you do/are doing doesn't really matter? Sometimes as a mom, I feel this way. I feel like changing diapers and potty training my three year old, teaching my one year old how to eat (and thereby ending up covered with sticky arms, hands, sleeves and jeans- he loves to grab whatever part of me (usually my sleeve) he can reach while he is eating (but I digress), and doing the other hundred myriad things that moms do is just not really that important on the "working for Jesus" list. After all, surely there must be something more "ministry-oriented" than picking poop up off the floor once and even sometimes twice daily! The past two days I have been studying Naaman's recovery from leprosy, and today a verse jumped out at me that has been there all along, but seemed to really be from God for my (and maybe yours too) current circumstances: "...and had bought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife." II Kings 5: 2 b-c
Hmm, a little maid. Just yesterday I caught myself saying to my daughter when she informed me that she had dropped her froggy, "Then pick it up; you're a big girl. Besides, I'm not your personal maid." Now I did not say this in a mean manner, just very matter-of- fact. But again, I digress. Sometimes mother hood can make you feel like a "little maid" (is there anyone out there? Can I get an "amen!") So, I went a little further: "And she (the little maid) said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy." II Kings 5: 3 KJV
Now picture this with me. This little woman/girl is Naaman's wife's personal servant. She takes care of her with the utmost concern. I am sure that she did mundane chores daily for her mistress. And I wonder if this little maid ever felt invisible, insignificant, or just plain taken advantage of at times? But then, in the midst of a normal day, she made a comment about the prophet Elisha. And because of her comment Naaman went to the prophet and was healed after dipping seven times in the Jordan River. Wow! I doubt the little maid said to herself when she woke up, "today, I will start the ball rolling for Naaman's cure." No, she probably got up and served her mistress breakfast in bed and started letting light into the room, pulling clothes out... whatever little maids did in Bible times. But that little maid loved her mistress and must have seen her very worried or sad over her husband's leprosy, so she spoke up. WHy, because of love and compassion. Now as moms, I know we love our children with all our hearts, but still sometimes we get frustrated when we're stuck in a "rut" doing the same chores and activities over and over (Do you ever count how many times you sweep the floor- for me it's approximately five-six times per day- I'm not kidding- three meals and at least two snacks times two makes lots of crumbs). But we never know when our children may speak something into our lives that is so profound (out of the mouth of babes),or when we may speak something into their young hearts that changes them (in a good way) forever. In other words, every day, every duty, is a chance to experience a miracle! Who knows what God might do through you while you are sweeping the floor or changing diapers. Who knows what thought He might plant in your head for a different season in your life. SO, don't grumble and complain that you're just a"little maid". Embrace it! Enjoy serving your children, because in all truth, even though we may not think what we're doing is "ministry", God does, and He is cheering us on! And, you never know what the new day may hold for you, your family, or your future. I love you moms, and I'm praying for you!
(Oh and in case you think I am frustrated with being a stay-at-home mom, I'm not. I love it ( I just sometimes get frustrated with doing the same chores over and over- but not being with my kids)

Until the next blog,