September 12, 2012

  • With Gladness

    When I lived in the U.S. we attended a large church. The policy there was that if you used the nursery and toddler facilities for your children during the services, you were required to take a turn working there about once a month. It seems fair, right? It's nice to be able to go to church and know that your children will have a place to go where they will be safely taken care of, and can enjoy activities and play on their own level. Anyone who has had to wrestle, entertain and shush a small child through a long service knows it is not easy!

    A schedule was mailed to the moms every month with your date for helping out. The thing is, there were some times when I was on that schedule that I really wanted to be in the service. Like, when Joyce Meyer was at our church, or CeeCee Winans. The "normal" services were not so much of a sacrifice to miss, but the special ones were rough. Sadly, I did some griping about it. I know God is not a fan of complaining.

    (Php 2:13-15)  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

    God helped me see I needed an attitude check. I should have been grateful that I was blessed with children who needed watching, instead of whining that I couldn't enjoy good ministry. I should have remembered that those little ones were precious to God, and I had an opportunity to be a blessing to them. I decided to change. Instead of saying, "I have to work in toddlers," I started saying, "I have the privilege of helping in toddler church this week." With the right attitude, I actually started to enjoy my times there. I was reminded that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light!

    Isn't it hard to be cheerful when you are being selfish? Yep! It's hard to have a good attitude when you only want to serve when it is easy and convenient.

    (Psalm 100:2 AMP)  Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!

    Some years later, I became the Children's Pastor at this church. You might say I reaped a bit of what I had sown.  Now I was on the receiving end of all the whining and excuses! I had a lot of parents who did not want to take their turn helping. I heard every excuse you can imagine. I faced many a bad attitude.

    It wasn't easy, but God helped me to learn that a good attitude and a right spirit will get you a lot farther than a selfish complaining one. I learned I am a far better witness of the love and grace of God when I am serving Him with GLADNESS! I mean, think about it... isn't it an honor to serve God-- to give back to Him just an eensy, weensy bit for all His incredible blessings?

    I will never forget an interview I saw where a reporter was touring a hospital for AIDS patients in India. He asked one of the nuns what her job was. She sweetly replied that it was emptying the bedpans. The reporter, with a horrified look said, "That must be terrible!"

    The sweet little nun, with face aglow said, "Oh, no sir! I do it for JESUS!"

    Wherever we are called to serve, let's remember WHO it is we are serving OK? Let's serve Him with a glad heart and a right attitude.

Comments (10)

  • Agree.

  • What a great attitude check. Blessings on your day.

  • If following Christ were just a list of rules and regulations, it would be as easy as any shopping list. But it's a whole attitude adjustment.

  • Thanks for the reminder.  I suppose that also includes taking care of my mother who can be difficult at times.

  • I'm no Mother Teresa but I've done my part as a nurse and friend

  • Sometimes we miss out on a things we like but very often God will bless in ways we can't even begin to imagine.

  • good reminder ~

  • Thank you for the encouraging word.  Even though I have not been on xanga for quite a while, G-daddy visits for me and lets me know special events that may be blogged.  However, I do miss my morning "dose" of Danish Doll.  I hope to begin again now that I truly do have some computer time on my hands. 

    I have been teaching the preschool children's choir on Sunday nights the last few years and even though it can be stressful at times, when I see those that God has taught through me, leading in worship, I am grateful for every moment.  I pray that my attitude with a type A personality, gives way to the leading of His type (Alpha-Omega) wisdom and I can rest in Him when He tells me to.  With the spirtual gift of Service, I do not find it difficult to serve Him.  However, my patience gets challenged when I want it done organized, on schedule, on time, with commitment, AND a good ATTITUDE.  Is that asking too much?  Probably.

  • @gandywhite - Thank you! I am not writing as much as I used to, but I do try to post something every few days. Life keeps intruding on my Xanga time!

  • Why did you leave the U.S. And move to Denmark? What is the state of Christianity there? 

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