Sweet Slavery

By Lori Rodeheaver

Most days I wonder whether my simple life amounts to much.
 
I write. Does anyone even read it?  I run.  My feet and knees are starting to break down and I’ve never even run a sub-four hour marathon yet.  I teach my children and house my mother.  I’m a better student than I am a teacher.  Would Mom be better off somewhere else?  I clean my house.  Is my house ever really clean?  I cook and I wash clothes.  Will I ever learn to cook?  What does an iron do again?  I grocery shop and prepare crafts for girl scouts.  Good housewives use coupons, don’t they?  Less time on crafts and more time on figuring out the iron might be wise.

My life looks nothing like what I had planned.  I have a Christ-centered life.  I am a slave.  I love being a slave!  I have surrendered to Christ and every day I wake up and surrender again.  I wake up and smile without regrets.  I love my life despite my doubts.  I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. (Psalm 116:1)  I love that God leads it even though I fail.  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:2)  Though it is small and simple, I know he will use my faithfulness even if I never see it with physical eyes on earth.  What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? ¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, ¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. (Psalm 116:12-14)  Slavery is beautiful when you love your Master more than life.   O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. (Psalm 116:16)  I can’t recall who said it but, perfect slavery is perfect freedom.

Most days I wonder whether my simple life amounts to much.  The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. (Psalm 116:6)

Sometimes others falsely accuse us.  Often times we falsely accuse ourselves. I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.”  (Psalm 116:11)  Don’t let the devil answer your doubts.  Hear the scriptures and call on the Lord!   I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. ¹⁸ I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!  (Psalm 116:17-19)

Everyday Encounters with the Creator