Today's Gospel Reading 6:7-15
Wednesday Gospel Reading:
Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18"...so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Mathew 6:4,5,16
As mothers, we are constantly giving alms, praying, and fasting. We don't throw money at our children, we give ourselves instead. Each day is a form of prayer as we lay down our life for our family. We fast daily from selfish desires and selfish plans as we serve our families day and night. As we fast through children at our feet while getting ready for the day, we don't just throw on a sloppy T-shirt and a frown. Instead, we brush our hair, put on some lipgloss and a skirt with a smile and good attitude. We are joyful out in public amongst the agony of whiny children. We don't complain as we fast from selfishness, we raise our praises to Heaven.
Our daily plan is God's plan, not our own. As I read the gospel reading, I immediately thought of a mother's quite sacrificial life behind closed doors. We do not receive praise worthy compliments for our works, instead we usually get ridiculed in the grocery store. We don't get an award or cash bonus for our hard work, we get throw-up stains on our new shirt. We don't get a pat on the back, instead we feel like a lowly servant on our hands and knees cleaning up yet another spill. However, the most important person sees our every action. The CEO of Motherhood....Jesus. He is our boss who we have to answer to. He is the one we strive to impress every day while caring for the business he founded, the family. Although this ignorant world sees our works as lowly and mindless, God sees our work as the greatest work on earth. So remember the next time you are feeling unappreciated for all the work you do behind closed doors, that the only one that truly matters witnesses everything you do. Your reward may not be instant, but it is eternal. You will be so glad you gave alms quietly, prayed within your home, and fasted with a smile. Your bonus will be abundant when you meet the CEO of Motherhood face to face. He will say to you the words we all want to hear someday, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!".
Blessings to you this Thursday!
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