“Oh you didn’t have to do all that! I don’t want to make you do extra work!”
I had a friend say this recently when I did some service for them during a rough time.
But it wasn’t hard work for me, honestly.
I love this friend, I wanted to make their burden lighter, and I even felt like I hadn’t done enough.
But… I can also think of other times when I’ve served out of obligation or assignment, and it sure has felt like a burden to me.
My “service” becomes another thing added to my to-do list.
I think sweet Jacob can teach us a lesson about what the difference is between these two scenarios.
He loved Rachel.
So when her father requested Jacob work 7 years for her hand:
“Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” (Genesis 29:20)
Love.
I think love is the difference.
Have you noticed this?
When I focus on how much I love my kids, the service I do for them seems much lighter— not even like service! I’m just helping them out.
When I focus on how much I love my husband, I want to serve him and make his life much easier because I find joy in it.
When I’m filled with love for people in my community, I have a natural desire to serve them and make their burdens lighter.
Love makes service a joy!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
6 Responses
Amen to you …
<3
I have the pleasure of working with Crisis Cleanup taking phone calls from those affected by disasters in their area. Volunteer groups then go and do the actual work. In many cases, I may be the first person that the one involved in the disaster speaks to. It is an awe inspiring responsibility to hear their stories, get the facts, and know that God is using me to get help to them as quickly as possible through this great program. I can spend several hours doing this and feel as though it is no time at all.
That sounds like an amazing opportunity! Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love this thought! My dear mother in law Bev is always serving everyone, and even though she is aging, she can still work circles around all of us! I asked her one time how she could not get frustrated to be the only one working sometimes while everyone else is resting. She said that when she is doing chores, she thinks about how much she loves the people she is doing them for. When she folds laundry, she thinks about how much she loves each person she is folding a shirt for, or how glad she is to have food for the everyone to eat when she is doing the dishes. That has been such a wonderful example to me over the years when I am doing chores that I am not particularly fond of. Thinking of it as an act of service for someone I love instead of a chore can really change how I feel about doing it!
I love this! She sounds incredible! <3