It's Sunday evening and I am so joyful that Eric is coming home from work that I try to prepare an extra special dinner for him. We have not eaten dinner together since Wednesday because he has been working almost nonstop and I've missed him tremendously. By this time, I'm wiped out and forego the nice presentation I had hoped for, disdaining the thought of clean up so I succumb to paper plates, paper napkins, and plastic utensils.
When Eric arrives, everyone greets him with great excitement and news of the day. After he gets comfortable we sit down to a hot meal and he prays but before eating he turns his chair toward mine. Oh, here it comes, I am going to cry. He takes my feet upon on his lap, takes lotion and massages my feet. He does this every evening he is home from work (usually on the couch) so why would would I cry this time? My husband has not slept more than two hours in a row since Thursday night, he is literally almost passed out from exhaustion, he is unwell, and he probably hasn't eaten a meal all day because he rarely stops to take a lunch break at work. Yet he chooses to give all he has to show me his love.
It's Monday now and it still brings tears of gratitude to think of the sacrifices my husband is making for our family right now. It's difficult but he never complains. I am ashamed that I can't say that about myself. He could easily come home, eat and collapse in bed, yet he foregoes his own need of sleep and serves me instead. I am humbled and moved with gratitude to God for blessing me by Eric's model of servanthood and continual tenderhearted affection toward me.
His behavior reminds me of Jesus' words about what our response should be to God in Matthew 16:24b,
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Through my reading, I have also been reminded that as Christians, we must be like empty cups. We must be emptied of the junk the world throws our way. For instance, people around us say that we must get our needs met before we can love others or we must draw boundaries so that other people will not walk all over us. This is wrong! We should not hold back from others who don't treat us the way we would like, or wait to be shown love before we can demonstrate love and service to them.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it" v25a
Isn't it enough that we have a Father in heaven who showed us love by sending Jesus to take away our sin? He already knows our needs and will hear us when we humble ourselves and pour our hearts out to him. If we empty ourselves before him, God will not leave us empty! Peace comes when we choose to surrender our burdens to the one Person who can perfectly handle each one.
". . . but whoever loses his life for me will find it." v25b
Isn't it amazing that God has given us eternal life! How much more should we live for him, with an unshakable hope in our sovereign God, in spite of our circumstances. The way my husband demonstrated such love and service to me in spite of how he was feeling, motivates me to love God and others more even in times of great difficulty.
"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." v26-27
4 comments:
Oh, Yvonne, what a truly loving and beautiful post. I just melt when I read about the Christ-like atmosphere that flourishes in your home. I have to admit my first reaction was selfish--Ryan doesn't do that! However, again, I missed the point God is teaching me. Don't fill my own needs. Empty my cup and serve others. Thank you for this lovely picture and admonishment that so gently instructed me this morning!
Again, Yvonne, I wish I were you! You inspire me so much to be like Jesus. I've been reminded all week of this verse from John 12, and your post drove the knife deeper...24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Keep up the Good Work!
WOW! What an amazing example of selfless love, few of us could compare. It makes me ashamed of how easily I can get tired and just ignore my hubby, when I see how Eric makes you a priority! Thank you for sharing and inspiring us to show Jesus alive within us through our actions towards others!
Yvonne,
I forgot to tell you how much this moved me and changed me. How blessed you are to have a husband similar to mine and to realize it and share with others the Biblical insight that is gained through such giving and sacrificial love.
You are truly the Proverbs 31 woman of God in many ways!
Love you sister!
Gaylyn
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