Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Chance of a Lifetime

Your Life Work Starts in Your Family



Characteristics of a True Servant
  • Knows that all assignments are actually from God
  • Will be quick to volunteer
  • Considers his assignment important
  • Takes orders
  • Does not desire to have authority
  • Will do what others do not or will not do
  • Enjoys meeting needs
  • Doesn't need recognition
  • Will voluntarily serve without pay
  • Doesn't seek higher status
  • Will do more than is required
  • Does not have his own selfish ambitions
  • Will serve anyone - even those whom others don't like to serve
  • Is willing to be treated like a servant
  • Does not seek the "big" and "important" assignments
  • Will serve with a joyful attitude
  • Will put his whole heart into each task
  • Thinks of others before himself
  • Desires that his master receives the credit
  • Desires that God receives the glory



Jenna -

While we were reading Do Hard Things, we talked about doing the SMALL things...the "things" that don't seem important, but they are! We're back to that in this book; but can you do the small things with a servants heart?


As the older sister with "bossy syndrome", I will often ask one of the younger kids to go and get something for me. I realize that this is wrong and I have tried to stop though it is hard because that was my habit.


The other day I was putting some laundry away, and my younger brother looked at me and said "Jenna, you're a servant aren't you"? At first it sounded funny to me, and then I said "yes" because that's what I desire!! The Characteristics listed above, changed my thinking. I am a servant, and don't think that it's misery! You will be a huge blessing to many people because of your servants heart.


"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ."


Colossians 3:23-24



Bethany -

Like Jenna mentioned, we just covered this exact issue in our last book.....Do Hard Things! This chapter very much reminds me of the chapter "Small Hard Things" in that we really need to focus on the smaller, less glamorous things of life such as loving siblings that are hard to get along with, babysitting those crazy little ones or living peacefully in a home. Those things can be really really hard, even if they aren't big and exciting.

I believe God gave families for many special reasons. I think families help build character in each person's life. Parents learn how to teach and love at the time same time. Children learn to obey submissively. Siblings learn to love and serve even when it is difficult.

"God has put a mission field right before us. We need to be understanding and encouraging to our siblings, parents and grandparents. When we are ten, twelve or sixteen years old, we may not have the opportunity to be a missionary to Africa, but we can fulfill the ministry that God wants us to do right now, right here. 'He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.' (Luke 16:10)

It's not a glamourous, exciting or outwardly rewarding field that many people notice, but being a servant to our family is one of the most wonderful, inwardly rewarding jobs in life. Take hold of it and enjoy your family today!


Stephen's Definitions
Slave - Synonym for "son."
Perplexed - One sister who mus make one left turn.
Confused - Two sisters who mush make two left turns.
Disaster - When two lost sisters, who insist they have made two right turns, call home for directions, and no one is home but their mother!
Vacation - When you travel for days to get your picture taken next to your car.
Important - A false idea we have about ourselves.




If any of you have an interest in writing a guest post on this book, please email Jenna at femininefarmgirl @ gmail . com ! Thank you.


~Jenna and Bethany

6 comments:

Kade said...

goodness gracious!

can't you write a post about the "fake-servants" I think i would qualify for one of those!

hahahaha



just kiddin. great post!

Charity Nee said...

very nice:)
liked kade's comment - and i liked stephen's definitions - makes me laugh every time i read one of those!!!

Moe said...

Nice post Jenna and Bethany! I agree. It is hard to do things when you think that what you are doing isn't that important.

Thank ya'll
FnGg

Emily Nicole said...

Bravo, Jenna and Bethany! :D I agree with all of you. It is really hard to do things when you think that what you are working on doing isn't very important. I have that problem a lot and I hope to change it soon... Anyway, I really like the book so far and I can't wait to read more of it! :)

Thanks,

Emily

Bethany's Dad said...

We need to remember that being a missionary in Africa, or any other "exotic" place, is not more important than being a missionary in your own hometown or family. If we are striving to be faithful in little things so God will put us in charge of big things we really are not being faithful in little things; we are only being selfish.

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