Stay-at-home moms often feel isolated, from others AND, more importantly, from the God they want to be serving. My grandmother had a glass plaque in her kitchen that I loved. Later it hung in my kitchen (until it fell, and we all know what happens to glass then). I did not know to whom the poem was attributed. I have recently been able to find a longer version online attributed to a 1928 servant in England, but the part on my plaque was as follows (labeled unknown):
Lord of all pots and pans and things Since I’ve not time to be A saint by doing lovely things Or watching late with Thee Or dreaming in the dawn light Or storming Heaven’s gates, Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates.
Now I know that feeling: the wish to be doing great things with and for God, but being “stuck at home!” When as a young mother I prayed to God about just that situation, I received three phone calls all in that same week. Each of those callers started their conversation with the words, “I called you because I knew you’d be there.” How humbling! My being at home was exactly what God wanted me doing.
I had a very good friend who said the reason she wanted to get to know me was because everyone in our Sunday School class told her to stay away from me (because I was strange). So naturally I was on her “first to meet” list. She was not a Christian, but she was open to learning more. Years later, after we had moved 700 miles away for my husband’s job, I got an amazing phone call one day that set my heart soaring. Suzi, I didn’t know who else to call, but I knew you would celebrate with me. I just accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour!” How sad that she felt no one else near her would want to rejoice in that moment with her, but how exhilarating for me that I was able to be a part of her exciting event.
So, if you are trying to serve and please your loving Father, don’t worry if you think you are not doing anything important for Him. Just do your everyday work with Martha, and take time to sit with Mary at the Lord’s feet. You’re right where He wants you to be.
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