God has equipped us with everything we need to live the life He has chosen for us on this earth. Sometimes in our lives, it feels like God does not hear or see us, or we wonder why we must go through so many uncomfortable and challenging things, causing us to ask; does all of this really matters so much and/or is it really worth it?
Well, it does and is! We do need to open our hearts and ears to receive from the Holy Spirit, what we need to hear and see to remain confident in this ever-challenging world, are that we are called for a time such as this.
Already married with two kids, I remember how my parents would come to visit us for a few weeks at a time. I remember how exciting it was for me to come home after work, knowing that they were there. One day I came from work and in the evening, I got upset with my mom about something. Although I did not like what she did or said, I did not manage the situation well and treated her disrespectfully.
Later, I said good night and went to my room. The Holy Spirit convicted me, and I went back to the room they were sleeping and started crying and apologised. My mom’s reaction was so incredible. She opened the bed covers and showed me to climb in and held me tight. The love of my mother at that point in time, was so amazing.
Even though I had so many things going on in my life at that point in time, resulting in my reaction being disrespectful, she did not judge me, she loved me and said it was okay. I am sharing this with you, because it mattered that I did not leave it and just went to bed. The fact that I could go to her and say that I was sorry, she took me in without any judgement. So yes, it matters what we do with the things that happen in our lives, and how we react.
For a long time in my life, it was a challenging time at the office for me in terms of work pressure that required me to work a lot of extra hours. I remember coming home late, having children who needed help with homework, I was studying, and therefore tired. I completed my studies and applied for a higher post but due to other plans that God had for us, the post was not for me.
I looked back at all the nights of hard work to get myself qualified for that higher position. One would ask if it then really mattered as I did not get the post, but yes, it did matter. At the end of the day, my children could see how committed I was, how dedicated I was to achieve something in my life and that I had to work hard to get there. So how did it matter?
It mattered that out of what my kids have experienced then; and today I can see the results. I see how hard they work, and they are very committed to what they do, as called by God. I can also share with them my experiences to ensure that they still have balance in their lives to cater for family time. I might not have gained personally in the sense of not being promoted, but my children did.
Sometimes the reward comes indirectly, meaning not directly to the person that had to give up something, but it is gained by someone else who sees that when you give with a cheerful heart, the impact and reward, is much greater than we will ever understand.
Colossians 3:23-24 says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Keep an eye out for Part 2 of the e-book on DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
Love in Christ
Princess K