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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International. |
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Secret Sacrifices
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.1 The Cambridge Dictionary defines Motherhood as: “the state or time of being a mother.” The Los Angeles Times once said: “In too many of the stories we tell ourselves, motherhood, parenthood, is what makes us whole.” The Huffington Post added: “There is no doubt about how motherhood changes you”; and “The joys of motherhood are well worth the little agonies -- or so the story goes”. The Bible says: “Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward.” " Psalm 127:3 (The Passion Translation) You can probably put your own words to “Motherhood” and they may include things like: “sleepless nights”, “hard work”, “fear of failure” or “so much sacrifice”. When you first began your journey into Motherhood, it seemed that EVERYONE had a word of “encouragement” for you, and although help was appreciated, empty words were not. Even the devil had a word " less encouraging and more like a temptation " for you. When no one saw how much effort it took for us to get from one day to the next, we would hear his ugly voice: All that sacrifice and no one even notices, what you’re doing must not matter at all. Fellow Mother, I am here today to tell you: Yes, it did matter! You stayed up many late nights, cried many tired tears, kissed your share of ouchies, and hugged and cradled until your arms ached. Every single one of your secret sacrifices have been noticed by the One who granted you this highest of rewards, preparing you for your “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”! In a world where you can get instant praise or criticism by posting your “sacrifices” on social media, let us not forget that we were made to delight in Jesus, the one who demonstrated perfectly what it means to give up life for another, and we don’t have to trade the temporal satisfaction of being noticed for the eternal glory that is to come. So Mothers, as we wipe another mess, make another meal, lose sleep, or wonder if this quiet work matters at all, we can take hold of delight " not just in the affection we feel for our precious children, but also in the truth that serving them matters to our God. Our secret sacrifices are important to Him. In every moment, HE is with us. HE is in us. HE hears us. HE sees us. It’s not a secret that HE is working out his purposes in a thousand ways and YOU, Mother, will be blessed! Happy Mother’s Day and may God continue to pour out His blessings over your life. Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, today I lift to you every Mother out there, myself included, and ask that you fill us with your wisdom and strength as we raise these children that you hand-picked for us to love. Allow our sacrifices to mirror Yours, selfless and full of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 1. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV). Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B. |
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