It Really Matters
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Does it really matter? Does it really make a difference? Am I making a difference?
Those were some questions that I found myself asking after I became a mom. I didn’t ask those questions about my role as a mom to my daughter, but my role outside of being a mom. Let me explain.
Being a mom has always been a dream of mine. Like a BIG dream. I used to work with kids at an inner city ministry and all I kept thinking was “I can’t wait to be a mom someday!” Now I am one and I am going to go with the cliche saying and say I can’t imagine my life any other way right now.
But I wonder at the end of the day, after Mazy is down for the night (hopefully), am I making a difference? Who am I outside of being a mom? Nobody knows (outside of my husband) that in a given day, I dusted, did the dishes for the 3rd time, did the laundry, and even took a shower! Those mundane tasks that don’t feel like they are making a kingdom difference, but I am learning, THEY DO.
It really matters.
Mazy likes to take the cover off of her snack cups and dump the contents out. Not a big deal in my book, but this is what got me. She reached for me to put the cover back on and she proceeded to put everything back in the cup. I know, I know, that is a game every kid likes to play, but she had to learn that somehow. She learned that from Dan and I. That picking up is what we do. Putting things back where they belong. Modeling that for her, really does matter. It is showing her that we take care of what God has given us.
After a meal, we wipe Mazy’s face. Often, she will take the cloth from me and wipe her tray. Granted the food that is left on there falls off to the side, but she knows that mom wipes off the tray to keep it clean. It’s what we do after meals. She knows that because that is what she sees everyday. It really does matter. And my hope is that one day she remembers to wash off her table after she is done eating.
Mazy knows that her clothes go in her laundry basket. Even though she likes to take them out, I tell her to put them back in and she does. She knows laundry goes in the basket. It really does matter.
Why do you think they make toy vacuums? Mazy is absolutely fascinated by our vacuum. She kicks and squeals everytime I take it out (which is almost daily). I am realizing more and more, that in cleaning our home, Mazy is learning that THAT is a normal part of life. That taking care of what we have, matters.
When I became a mom, I wondered if some of those things, the chores that seem never ending, if they really do matter. Then I think about how I was raised. My parents did an amazing job at raising us. I mean “amazing” doesn’t even describe it. They taught us to work, but never complained about what had to be done. We had our chores we had to do on Saturday, we made our beds everyday, and took care of what we had (though bless their hearts because I was the one with a messy room!). I look back and realize that because of their modeling, I value the same things.
Now Dan and I have that opportunity to do that for Mazy. To show her that it really does matter.
Because in the end, whether it’s doing laundry, washing the dishes, or cleaning up a mess for the 5th time, if done for God and with an attitude of thanksgiving, it makes those little mundane tasks worth it.
When I can thank God for the opportunity to do laundry, I realize the blessing of clothes. When I realize the mess of cheerios on the floor, I am thankful for food and a child who is discovering. When I lay my head down at night, I am thankful for a bed to sleep in, realizing that all those things really do matter.
Don’t doubt your significance. Don’t doubt whether you are making a difference. Because those little eyes are watching every move.
And those things matter to God, when done for Him.
