The Parable of the Unworthy Mother

I love encouragement and appreciation.

Everyday I dream my husband will come home for lunch and say something like, "Wow! You are such an incredible wife and mother. In the last 4 hours you put the baby down for a nap and folded a whole basket of laundry. Here let me take you out to eat so you can rest, prop your feet up, and let someone else do all the work!"

Yeah, I'm quite a daydreamer!

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Of course some days I actually do get more than one load of laundry done before lunch. In fact, I can be quite productive if I really put my mind to it. On those days especially, all I really want is acknowledgement and praise. I want someone to sweep in, pat me on the back, and give me a break. 

Most days this just doesn't happen, and I'm not going to lie, every now and then I start to feel that prick of frustration and impatience in my heart. I love caring for my family, but some days I just feel like a servant wiping windows and snotty noses. I start to feel used, walked on, and undervalued. 

I deserve better than this, right? 

Well, in Luke 17:7-10, Jesus shares the parable of the Unworthy Servant, and let's just say that today when I was reading the lesson hit home...hard. 

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 

Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’?  

Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

The truth is a mother's work is never done. Even after a long day of cleaning, cooking, and caring for children, there is always more work to do, and instead of always looking for praise and rest, my attitude should be that of a servant faithfully and cheerfully serving her master. 

(And no I don't mean my husband!) 

As hard as it is to admit, I am just a servant doing the job God has placed before me, and even on my most productive days, I am still fallen, still sinful, and still unworthy. 

Unworthy of the children He has entrusted to my care. 
Unworthy of the husband who works diligently to protect and provide for us. 
Unworthy of the material possessions that so often need cleaning. 

However, God continues to bless me anyway simply because He loves me. I can trust that He will give me the grace and strength to keep working, to keep serving, even when I feel tired, worn out, and desperately in need of a break!

All I have to do is joyfully and thankfully serve Him by carrying out those duties closest to my heart with patience and perseverance, 

With our without a thank you.