Have you ever watched someone juggle multiple things at the same time? You can tell they are tired, stressed, and trying to keep it all moving forward and there is a strong desire within you to help?
Maybe you want to take something off their plate and do it for them. But you can’t because they have to do these things themselves.
Maybe you want to help them figure out which things should come off the plate. But, each of the things they are doing is necessary to reach the goal they’ve set for themselves.
Maybe you want to make them see that their goal is unrealistic and they should step back and re-evaluate. But, their goal is not so far fetched.
And in that moment, God gives you a Scripture passage like 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
“Brothers and sisters, consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
When you see someone sowing bountifully, remember that they will reap bountifully as well. Why would we deny them the opportunity to have all that they are pursuing (in that those things are good and for their good.) just because it means some hard work?
I’ve been watching my daughter balance work, family, summer college classes, her boyfriend, and other commitments for the last few weeks. I never thought of myself as someone who didn’t believe in hard work. But it’s one thing if I’m working hard. It’s tougher to see someone I love doing it. I want to make it easier for her. But, by trying to take away the challenge, I’m not helping. God showed me clearly what I needed to be reminded of.
He loves to shower graces. He appreciates our putting our full effort into something. It shows strength of character and builds endurance. Which I just heard on Sunday, leads to HOPE. (Romans 5:1-5)
So, the lesson I was able to impart from this wasn’t that she shouldn’t be doing all of this, but that she SHOULD do what she had committed to do and not out of compulsion (I’m stuck. I have to do it now.) or with sadness (I hate this. It’s so hard. I want to be doing something else.) but, with joy, because God loves a cheerful giver. He will bestow His abundant grace so that she is equipped to do all the good works that are in front of her.
Working hard is honorable. Sometimes, your plate is full and there is a purpose carrying you through the struggle and you realize that the work is worth it. You’ve got to do tough things sometimes. It’s what grown ups do. And God will bless the efforts, if you do it with joy and for His honor and glory.
Amen!
XOXO,
Barb
Reflections of a Cute Lil Mom 