I Want to Serve Like That

The cool, crisp air greets me in the morning as I take my over-sized puppy out. Long gone are the lazy days of summer that begin with morning walks, coffee out of 'real mugs', and reading my devotion in those now lonely chairs on my screened porch. Within a month my life has turned into a balancing act of schedules, meetings, afternoon activities, errands, and the mountain of papers to be graded and filed. My life, that functions on being orderly, has turned upside down and scattered.

Two church services and a Children's Church meeting on Sunday was just what my soul needed. At my church home, I served in the nursery, taking care of sweet babies while their parents were nourished with the Word of God. After church, we drove every back road that lead from one mountain scene to another. My mama told stories of her childhood that I've heard a dozen times, but I love to hear them again, just like a favorite book or song. My grandma's church sits in the bend of the road, tucked between the parsonage and a graveyard. (I learned on one of my many carriage tours in Charleston that a graveyard is near the church, also known as a church yard. Cemeteries are away from a church. You probably knew that, it was new information not too long ago for myself.) My grandpa is buried up on the hill looking over the church steeple. It will be a glorious day in Heaven when I get to meet him.

Sunday was heritage day at my grandma's church. A time designated to serve as a reminder to old and new members how the church was founded. Family names that gave their offerings, service, and heart to the church were read aloud. My heart beat a little faster when "Peace" was read. What a beautiful last name for a family full of love for Jesus. I find great joy in knowing that is my heritage. The pastor spoke to the congregation on being Christ's servants and leaving a goodly heritage for those that follow us. Throughout the service I was pondering if I am leaving a goodly heritage for my children and my church. I wondered if a pastor would recognize my family's name in our church forty years from now.

At the end of the service, the pastor honored three members of the church family. Those members exhibited faith, hope, and love. He read the qualities and the service of each one. I knew my grandma was being recognized, but I didn't know for which one. He began to read all the ministries I knew she was involved in. And there was a list, a long one. Each one she put her heart and soul in. Never thinking she would receive an honor for it. She did it for the love of her Savior. She has a servant's heart, a big one. Her words are etched in my heart forever, "I've had a lot of trials in my life and I never would have made it without Jesus."

I want to serve like that.

And all that time, I wondered how she did it all. She had four children, a husband who tragically passed away when their children were in their teens, she worked a full-time job, baked cakes, sewed, and served God in such a great capacity.

 She never would have made it without Jesus.

My life that functions on being orderly is in scrambles. My priorities have been shifted in this season of my life. Jesus has been bumped down with every "yes" that is not serving Him. I need Jesus. My prayer is my calendar will be filled with serving Christ. Whether it be through serving in church, spending more time in His Word to nourish my soul, or praying with those in need, I will fill it with Jesus. Before any other "yes(es)", He will be first.

I need Jesus.

There have been trials in my life and there will be more.

So I need Him. And He needs me.

I want to serve like that. Not for recognition, but because that is my role as His child. To serve and glorify His Kingdom. Before all the things of this world that bleed on my calendar - I will serve Him. 

Dedicated to my sweet Grandma, Juanita Coates.

You tried teaching me to bake and sew. I'll get there, one day.

You taught me to love and serve Christ. I will. Everyday.

"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant..." Matthew 25:21