“Jesus left there and went along the sea of Galilee. Then he went up on the mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them… Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people…’” Matthew 15:29-32
Children Are the Most Important Work
C.S. Lewis said, “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” Recently, I have been extremely convicted about how I treat my eight children: I sometimes treat them as a distraction rather than important work. I set out my agenda each day, and my focus and ability to feel good about myself sometimes rests on how many things I can check off that list. I utilize certain times of the month to reorganize and deep clean our home. Yet, some days I get bombarded by curious children, emotional teenagers, and teething babies. I treat my most prized possessions as a distraction when they are the core of my “job.”
Jesus never treated anyone like a distraction. In Matthew 15, Jesus had compassion on the hungry crowds and fed them. When He would escape to the mountains, the crowd would follow Him and He would heal “the lame, the blind, the deformed, those unable to speak and many others” (Matthew 15:30). The result was that they would give praise and glory to God. Jesus utilized every moment.
I want my children to give praise and glory to God because I was able to speak life. When my boys have an argument and need me to help work it out, I need to see it as an opportunity to learn the gift of conflict resolution. When I am in the middle of sorting out toy bins, I need to take the time and answer my daughter’s curious questions. I need to see the valuable lesson of teaching self-control to my sweet three-year-old in the middle of the grocery store. When I sit down to read my Bible and the baby wakes up too early, I need to be patient and teach the importance of reading God’s Word even if it is in small increments.
This year, let all of us strive to use everyday situations as a way to teach, to love, to nurture, to honor, and to be. Oh Lord, helps us remember that our precious ones are our greater work. Help us remember that the days are long, but the years are oh, so short.
Blessings and Love,
Susan and the Help Club for Moms Team
Go Deeper:
- Read Matthew 15. Note when Jesus withdraws from the crowd and His reaction or response.
- Write out some ways you can respond when you feel like you are being distracted by a child.
In her free time, she enjoys studying the Bible, cheering on her children at football games and dance performances and ministering at her church. Her passion to teach ladies is based on Isaiah 50:4, “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me each morning; He awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed”
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