This is totally backwards for me…
For years I have e-mailed, called or spoken in person to the people whose husbands or wives serve on one of our teams at church and told them that because of their selflessness (staying home with the kids, going to bed alone, etc) that God’s work is being done. Without the “ministry of being alone” none of our church ministries could possibly get done. People are reached because of this kind of service.
Well, last Saturday, for the 5th Saturday out of 7, Cami left the house at 6:45am only to return after dark. The cause? She was with a team of other volunteers painting, re-constructing and decorating a house about 45 minutes away. It was a complete home makeover really and Cami decided that she would serve as one of the coordinators. I cheered her on as she began this labor of love. My job was to stay with Finley (our 3 year old daughter) all day - a job I took happily. I was eager to have an entire day of daddy and daughter. The first Saturday went good enough. I was tired, but felt good about what I had done. The second weekend was OK too, but not as good as the first one. I was more tired and didn’t have the energy to play and be fun like week 1. On the third Saturday I started to feel a new sensation come over me. It was something like “HEY, why don’t I get to go out there and do the fun stuff!?” Suddenly, painting had become “fun stuff” somehow. Week 4 was a drag. I had transformed from selfless to selfish, from cheerleader to complainer and from winner to loser. I had lost sight that we were accomlishing something TOGETHER. I remembered the many conversations I have had with the “stay-home” spouses and picked myself up a bit. Last Saturday (the LAST Saturday of the project) I was in great spirits and Finley and I had a great day, but I was reminded to say again to all of you who are the ones who stay home while your family member goes and serves somewhere -
YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN. Everytime someone gives their heart to Christ or has some deep moment with Him, you were right there, facilitating that moment. You can know that God used YOU!
Now, if I can only remember that next time…