Ephesians 5:1-2
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."
We read this Scripture last night at home group. I don't remember ever reading it before. But it was a great reminder of how I want to live my life. What I want my days to reflect. Dustin said something last night in the prayer - something to the affect of at the end of this year may our character reflect more of Christ than it does right now. Coupled with this Scripture, I was left wondering, is my character more in line with Christ right now than it was a year ago or 5 years ago? Have I seen growth in myself? I should probably ask my husband as he sees me most clearly day in and day out. I know there are things that I want to change about myself, but have I changed them? I know the person I want to be, but am I her?
I guess this was a good reminder for me that although my days are made up of little things, they all lead to something bigger...who I am. Regardless of how I feel about said little things during the day, what I do with them matters and really is the foundation of my character.
In "The Practice of the Presence of God" the Abbot of Beaumont says of Brother Lawrence
"That the most excellent method he had found of going to God was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of God."
and
"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for God's sake, which we commonly do for our own."
I love that God cares about the little things in my life. I have hope in life at all because He is present with me in those little things and in the big. He is with me at 3 am when Gram is crying and He is with me at 3 pm when I am knee deep in dishes and laundry and dust bunnies. He is with me as I am a mom to Gram, a wife to Dustin, a daughter, sister, friend, co-worker. He is with me and He is calling me to love in all of those things. To love...seems easy. But He is with me when it's hard and confusing and I'm not for sure how to do it enough or well.
He is with me and He is enough. When I don't have the strength or energy or motivation to do anything for myself or for others, I can do it for Him. I should do it for Him. Out of gratitude for all that Christ has done for me, the least that I can do is change stinky diapers with a joyful heart.
