Labors of Love

*Today's post is by guest writer Sandy Hall*

That time of year has arrived again when you spend twenty minutes bundling everyone up to go outside: the extra sweater, snow pants and coat, hat, mittens and scarf, two pairs of socks, and the boots! To top it off, when our children were young they liked to play hockey in our driveway (even in the snow), so add to the above list the helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and skates instead of boots. Now if you multiply all those articles of clothing by the number of children you have, then divide it by the outside temperature and subtract the wind speed you will find out where you register on the frustration scale!  That tells you how many minutes they will stay out (which usually ends up exactly one-third the amount of time it took you to get them ready to go out!!!  Ahhh, for a few minutes of summer’s heat wave!

Seriously though, have you ever thought of all the little labors of love you do for your family throughout a single day? All day long (and even into the night) we as women meet the needs of others. Jesus said if we give even a cup of cold water in His name, we will receive a reward (Mark 9:41). In the same light, our labors of love can be viewed from a higher perspective. All that we do: washing dishes or dirty faces, changing diapers, baking bread, reading a story, teaching Bible verses, ironing a shirt, driving kids to soccer practice, preparing a favorite meal, listening, soothing a “boo-boo”, sewing on a button, and yes, even getting children dressed to go play in the snow….all of these are lofty, worthwhile actions when done as a service to our God. They don’t have to be considered menial or mundane; they are daily, continual, valuable gifts of love we give to our families and are ultimately sacrificial gifts to God!

Oh, Lord, make all that I do and say to be done “…in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

How They Love One Another

Not merely in the words you say,

Not only in your deeds confessed,

But in the most unconscious way

Is Christ expressed.

Is it a beautific smile?

A holy light upon your brow?

Oh no! I felt His presence

When you laughed just now.

To me, ‘twas not the truth you taught

To you so clear, to me still dim.

But when you came you brought

A sense of Him.

And from your eyes He beckons me

And from your heart His love is shed.

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

By Mary Wang, With God in Red China

By Sandy Hall
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