A Servant’s Heart

As you read this, it will be the day after Mother’s Day. Mothers are often cooks, event planners, nutritionists, nurses, and the list can go on and on. Recently, it was estimated that mothers work between 59 and 96 hours per week. I hope you have had the chance to celebrate with your mother, if she is alive, and with your wife, the mother of your children.

No wonder moms are often exhausted. Our grandson who has alagille syndrome has required extra care since the day he was born. He has a feeding tube to help get all the medicines he needs.  My son was telling me about one medicine that is new for Silas, and it has to be given at 5:30 in the morning. He has an all-night feeding which provides the extra calories that he needs. Can you imagine rolling out of bed every morning at 5:30 to put some medicine into a feeding tube? No wonder moms and dads are often exhausted. Children need so much as they learn to navigate this world.

I find great hope when I see Jesus affirming those who serve. In Mark, we find the disciples having an argument about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus quietly sat down and reminded them that “anyone who wants to be first must be the last, and servant of all-” (Mark 9:35) Then He took a child in His arms to tell us how important it is to serve others, especially the most helpless among us. (vv. 36-37) Christ’s response tells us what our response needs to be. Christ tells us that we need to have a heart willing to serve others.

Jesus has promised that God’s empowering presence will be with those who choose to serve. (v. 37) As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us choose to serve others! God wants us all to have a servant’s heart!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for reminding us of Your loving care for children and for those who are suffering.  Help us to follow your example of service.

Mark 9:35 – “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Image: Canva