I saw Jesus today. Yep, I did. I know you think that’s unbelievable, but I saw him face-to-face. He looked right into my face while I wiped His. I also saw Him when I fed him a hot meal and filled up his cup with milk for the 100th time. He even stared right back at me with a surprised look when He and I discovered at the same time that He had used the front of His shirt as a napkin during His meal.
Matthew 25:42-45
“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
I have read this passage many times in my life and thought I had it all figured out. It means that every person I cross paths with when I go out of my house could potentially be an angel in disguise and I should treat them kindly and take care of their needs, right? Yes, I still think that is true, but as it popped up in my daily Bible reading plan today and I “just happened” to read some thoughts about it later in the day in a book I’m reading–I saw this passage in a whole new light.
As I meditated on this passage, I too, like the disciples thought, “When Lord, where, who? Lord, I am more than happy to do what you are asking, but my daily life is pretty much just my family. I do nothing great. When would I ever have the chance to minister to You?” That’s when I heard His still, small voice whisper to me, “You don’t have to leave your house to find me. I am in the faces of your children and your husband, to every friend you talk to on the phone, and to every person you e-mail with.”
Why had I never seen it like this before? So simple, yet profound in thought. Even if I never leave my home, I still have the opportunity to minister to the “least of these.” I don’t have to go on a mission trip across the world or down to the ghetto in my town. All I have to do is stop and recognize the face of Christ in my own children.
It sure gives my daily life a whole new perspective when I see it this way. I am delving right into the heart of God each day by teaching, training, loving, showing compassion to, having patience with…Him. It blows my mind to realize that even when I do such mundane things such as laundry, answer questions with patience, give a hug, bandage up an injury or make a meal…I am ministering to Him, the God of the universe.
Thank you, Lord, for the incredible privilege to minister to the “least of these” right in my own home. Thank you reminding me that even in the midst of motherhood, I can make a difference for You.
This is an awesome post! Wow, I am convicted and encouraged.