45. Finding the strength to not grow weary in doing good. What I wouldn't do for that face! And, while I would not trade it for anything, that face does not always give me smiles, does not always do what I say, and so, what I do, does not always seem to have a reward. Sometimes, I just want to take the easy way out (and sometimes I do). Most of the time, I want someone to notice all that I have accomplished--with a mobile infant, no less!
When service is unto people, the bones can grow weary, the frustration deep. Because, agrees Dorothy Sayers, 'whenever man is made the centre of things, he becomes the storm-centre of trouble. The moment you think of serving people, you begin to have a notion that other people owe you something for your pains.... You will begin to bargain for reward, to angle for applause.'
When the laundry is for the dozen arms of children or the dozen legs, it's true, I think I'm due some appreciation. So comes a storm of trouble and lightning strikes joy. But when Christ is the center, when dishes, laundry, work, is my song of thanks to Him, joy rains. Passionately serving Christ alone makes us the loving servant to all. When the eyes of the heart focus on God, and the hands on always washing the feet of Jesus alone--the bones, they sing joy, and the work returns to its purist state: eucharisteo [being thankful]. The work becomes worship, a liturgy of thankfulness.
'The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action,' writes Mother Teresa. 'If we pray the work ...if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it with Jesus.... That's what makes us content.'
While I want to lay my life down for my son, I can only show him true servanthood when, in everything, I lay my life down for the Son.
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