The truth is, there is always so much to do. I look at the mountain, then look in everyone’s drawers. If they have something to wear for the next day, I put it off again. I keep telling myself that I should just do a load of laundry every night with everyone’s dirty clothes for the day, but that just adds one more thing on my to do list before I go to bed.
So I literally work all day, only stopping to feed the kids lunch, do the dishes and prepare dinner. Wash, dry. fold, and put away. By the time my husband comes home, it looks like I have done nothing, ugh. Although I accomplished the great task of completely wiping out Mount Rimpson, including towels and whites, the rest of the house has fallen victim to the Rimpson toddlers. My husband knows how hard I work, but doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. are thankless jobs. Everyone is just used to it always being done.
I began to feel sad thinking of my husband coming home to a toddler cluttered and sticky house after I worked so hard all day. I want him to be blinded by the glistening splendor of cleanliness that sparkles as the light hits it, lol, as he walks through the door. It’s such a dramatic and unreasonable expectation for me to put on myself with all of these kids. I guess I just wanted someone to notice my work. Then God spoke. Who are you doing this for?
Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
I was reminded that my works are to Him not man. Although, my husband never complains about what I do, I was wanting to be recognized for all of the stuff that nobody sees being done. God sees me and that is enough. My children don’t understand it now, but they will one day grow up to know how blessed they have been to have clean clothes, home cooked meals and a mother at home. I am discipling them by living before them. My reward is their character being developed which is my legacy and their inheritance. I do my best so God can get the glory from my life, not to receive a trophy that I can make as an idol. So as my husband reassured me that in a few years, all the toddlers will be in school and I can do whatever I want with my time, I heard this scripture:
Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)
23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Whatever my assignment is, I must be faithful. The joy of the Lord is my portion and strength!
Mark 11:23 (NKJV)
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
What kind of mountain are you facing? Is it one that has hindered you or overwhelmed you? Ask God for the grace and the strategy to overcome it. Is it an anthill that seems like a mountain (like the pile of granulated onion that my 1-year-old dumped next to my bed while I was doing laundry)? Ask God to see things rationally and give you patience, balance and sound emotions to not blow things out of proportion. Is it a mountain that is not real, but planted by the enemy through fear? Ask God to receive His perfect love that casts out fear and to cleanse you from anything of your past that is holding you in front of that mountain. Is it a mountain that you must climb to see God’s glory? Ask God for the strength and endurance to finish climbing to be in His presence. Whatever your mountain, don’t give up. Give your all and do all things as unto the Lord.
Father, thank You for seeing us in everything that we do. Forgive us for wanting to be acknowledged by man when You are more than enough. Help us face our mountains as victors. Give us faith to address them as You see fit. Help us be faithful to what You give us so that our lives will give You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen!