Pride And Joy

Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!

Our faith community met on an early Sunday morning. One of the couples had a young baby, and they were feeling overwhelmed. As others in our group talked of volunteering in our city and of neighbors they were building relationships with, I looked over at my friend. Her face fell as tears filled her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I whispered.

Everyone stopped talking as she looked toward her husband, a knowing glance passing between them.

Kim let out a sigh.

“Everyone is doing something for God, and it’s really exciting,” she started. “I guess we’re just frustrated. We thought we could be doing more, but Ellie has been a challenging baby, and with Tim’s work schedule and being out of town during the week, we just haven’t been able to connect with other people like we were hoping we’d be able to. We feel like we’re not doing anything.”

We all stared at them for a moment before another woman spoke up. “You are doing something. You’ve started your family.”

“I feel like we’re just a disappointment,” Kim said with a shrug.

“God’s not disappointed in you,” I responded. “He knew what this season would bring for you and your family. Yes, there are things you want to do, and there will be time for that, but just know, he is not disappointed with your current season of life.”

Kim nodded. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

Sometimes our lives don’t look like we’d hoped. But what God values is not always what we see as valuable. I am grateful that he is not always looking for us to do big, elaborate things for him. He’s just looking for us to be faithful—in big and small things. And sometimes, being faithful in the little is even more important than the big. No matter what, God is not disappointed because his love is not dependent on our actions; he is pleased when we are simply faithful to follow through in what he asks of us for today.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

How are you being faithful to what God is asking of you in this season, whether in big or small ways? Thank him that he will never demand more of you than you can handle in your stage of life.