Generically written, here are some words I have wished to express to certain friends and fellow mothers:
Dear Jane,
I admire you, and have always wanted to be better friends with you. You're an amazing mother, but you have a lot on your plate. When I've offered to help out, you refuse and stubbornly do it all on your own.
At first I thought maybe you just didn't like me, but as time has passed I have realized you have a really hard time allowing others to love and serve you. You do everything without help.
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The ironic side to this story is that you are always doing things for other people. I admire that about you, you definitely have a huge heart. I hate it when you find out that I am sick, because without fail you are the one to bring over a meal or flowers…or whatever.
I thank you for being a good friend, but deep down I am discouraged when I can't do the same for you. Here are some things I'd like you to know:
I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to. Really. You are not putting me out by saying yes. In fact, it may be the brightest part of my day. You see, motherhood is hard sometimes. And when those days come when I'm discouraged or just having a rough time, or just want to mix up my daily routine with something different…I look for someone to serve. I look for reminders of what life is really about. I look for something outside of my own circumstance to think about.
Past experience has taught me enough times that when you do something for someone else, you do something for yourself. It's been proven that when you forget yourself and do things for other people, that discouragement is lifted, physical pain is eased, and happiness fills your life. You must be aware of this though, because you are the Queen of kind acts!
So I plead with you: Let me do something for YOU this time. If not for you, for me.
Even Christ let others serve him, allowing his apostles to wash his feet. He must have understood this principle. He must have known that when he allowed others to serve him, in all reality he was doing something for them.
You see, not only do I sometimes have discouragement, but I have weaknesses. I too am on the journey to becoming a more Christian individual. I'm not perfect, but anytime that I am allowed the opportunity to act in love and kindness, my character grows. I have the opportunity to expand my ability to love. I remember who I am, and I remember what's important about this life that we are living.
We live in an imperfect world. A world filled pain and crime and many other sad things. It might be easy to get discouraged by all the sad things that go on around us, but there is also much good in the world. There are people out there lifting burdens. There are people out their paying other people's hospital bills. There are people giving food to the hungry. There are children being adopted into good homes. There are many giving and kind people who are restoring faith in humanity by the way that they live each day.
But these people wouldn't be who they are, and this world would haven't the good that it does…if there wasn't a person willing to receive the kindness being offered.
Do you have a hard time allowing others to serve you?
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ashlee418 says
Thank you again for letting me feature your post! It definitely hit home! Your post is featured here… http://wellnourishednest.com/2013/10/21/serving-others/