As I was praying one day, I whispered, “God, please give me a servant’s heart. One just like Jesus.” But I had no clue what I was REALLY asking for.
Have you ever asked God for something and then waited for an angel to appear – POOF- and make it happen?
BAM.
I wish it WAS that simple.
The day after I prayed, God decided to see if I meant what I really said.
We had company for dinner one night. Afterward, my husband was sitting in the living room watching hockey, while I cleaned up.
I began to grumble to God under my breath, about how my husband hadn’t helped me…
“Really, Cindy? You ask for a servant’s heart and then complain about cleaning the kitchen by yourself?”
“But God, Jesus always had a servant’s heart, aren’t we ALL supposed to be servants?
“Your husband has been either working or taking care of Kyle all day. You had time to write and do a few things you enjoyed. He didn’t. Give him these few moments to rest.”
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Why does God ALWAYS have to be right?
Vance had taken our son Kyle for a drive. Kyle has severe Autism and is 29 years old. They always call me halfway through their
Vance had given me two hours to myself and I was in writing-heaven
I could hear Kyle giggling. Vance said Kyle thought he was going to tickle him. We talked for a while, then just before I hung up I could hear Kyle say something. But I couldn’t quite make out what he said. Then I knew…
“Five sandwiches, you want FIVE sandwiches. You can’t have FIVE sandwiches!” Vance said in a LOUD dramatic voice, as Kyle was laughing hysterically in the background.
Vance plays this game with Kyle every time they go for a drive.
I got off the phone smiling to myself thinking about what a wonderful husband and father Vance was.
Just a few hours later…
Grumbling to God.
“Cindy, do you truly want a servant’s heart. You don’t know what you’re asking for. Jesus laid all his own needs aside for the sake of his Father and his Kingdom. Can you do that? Are you willing to do that?”
I thought I was. But Cindy gets in the way.
I can’t even clean up dinner by myself???
In Mark chapter 14. Jesus was praying before He knew He was going to be handed over to Pilot and nailed to the cross. Before He prayed he said to his disciples:
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” -Mark 4: 34
Then he went off to spend time with his Father; the one who asked Him to die on the cross for you and me:
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” -Mark 14: 36
*For more scripture click here: Having A Servants Heart
God asked His Son to die one of the most painful and cruel deaths. Jesus asked if there was any other way this could be done, then said “not my will, but your will.”
This is the servant heart of Jesus. And I asked God for this? In my gullible prayer, I thought He would grant me my request.
But I wasn’t willing to sacrifice for it.
Dishes. Sweeping. Wiping counters. That’s all.
My first test to see if I meant what I said.
I never was good at tests.
Here my husband had been a servant all day, and I only saw my own selfish need
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. -Matthew 7: 3-5
It was clear now.
I first needed a servant’s heart in my own home; to those closest to me.
My prayer had come forward in a desire to be a servant to the women who read my newsletter each week. To really care about them and want to see their hearts and lives transformed through God’s word, prayer, and encouragement. Like God had done for me.
How quickly my prayer had slipped through my lips and vaporized into thin air.
A servant’s heart starts with our family.
If we want to bring Jesus to others’, we must first be Jesus
Cooking. Dirty diapers. Stinky shoes. Laundry – LOTS of
Kingdom work. Jesus work.
Have you been feeling what your doing in your home isn’t making a significant impact in the world?
You couldn’t be more wrong.
When your children or husband see you serving in the home with joy and delight – they see Jesus.
If your working as though you’re serving the King – they will see Jesus.
When you’re smiling instead of grumbling – they see Jesus.
This is the beginning of a servant’s heart:
So my prayer has changed, “Lord help me to have a servant’s heart in my own home. To have your care and concern for my family.”
Baby steps.
We’ll start there. The first place God has asked me to be like Jesus; my home.
Will you join me? Would you also like to have a servant’s heart within your home; one that wants what is best for those you love most”
“Dear Heavenly Father, give each woman a servant’s heart that shows her family exactly what your love looks like. Help us to honour you in the little things each day, so you can entrust to us bigger things.”
Let Jesus shine in your home, through you; so your family will know God loves them.
Amen 💗
*Read: How Can A Wife Put Love Into Action? – for more insight into being a loving servant to your husband.
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