Originally posted April 9, 2014
I don’t know what your day to day is like. For me being a mum is hard work. It is constant, often unnoticed and many tasks are done repetitively without thanks.
Most of what I do is done in secret. No one knows just how many times I have had to clean that floor, wipe that nose and help tidy up those toys…all for no thanks, no praise, and no certificate of achievement or pay! Maybe you feel the same way at home or in your work place.
I was complaining to God about how needy my children are and how it is a tough and unrewarded job. I desperately wanted to post on Facebook and Instagram what an amazing job I am doing. I wanted others to know how hard I was working. But God…
Don’t you love ‘but God’ moments? Moments when God interrupts you and invades your world.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.
Matthew 6:1-4a NIV
There is nothing wrong with Facebook status’ and Instagram photos, but out of a heart seeking reward and praise from others it is wrong. So wrong that the Bible even says announcing my giving with trumpets provides me with honour from others and is my reward in full-that’s it! It may make me feel great for a moment but really that is it.
God tells us another way: give in secret
In other words give my time, energy, love and care to my children in secret. Give minute by minute, hour by hour, day in and day out at home when nobody else really sees. No one sees it all, not even my husband, extended family, church, friends, neighbours…no one. It hit me! This is giving in secret.
The pay for being a mum is zero, but the promise is incredible:
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:4b NIV
With your pure heart of obedience keep serving, honouring and loving others. You are setting yourself up for a reward. A reward far greater and longer lasting than a comment on your Facebook status or Instagram photo. Far greater. A reward straight from your loving Father himself!
So be encouraged mum, office worker, manager, cleaner…whatever your job is day to day.
Your Father sees. What you do does not go unnoticed.
He knows how hard you really work. He is getting ready to reward you.
(Do still post Facebook status’ and Instagram photos, not out of a heart seeking reward and honour from others, but out of a heart of joy celebrating your life to encourage and inspire others to live life to the full.)
