As Unto the Lord...

Today, we had a small snow shower that lasted just long enough to cause me to cancel the piano lessons I was to teach all day in town. As a result of that, I found myself with quite a lot of extra time. It was strange to suddenly have “nothing to do”, after the rush of schoolwork and the stress of all the things I had to do last week. This afternoon, after Daddy and I got back from my second walk of the day, I began to meander rather aimlessly around the house, but then realized what I was doing, and went into the living room to enlist Mommy’s aid in finding something useful to do instead. I had gotten all my schoolwork done, except for math, which my mind was too frazzled to do at that moment, and it wasn’t time to start dinner yet. Finally, I decided I was justified in using my spare time to read one of the books I got for Christmas.
So, I put on some music, picked up my book, and curled up in my big, comfortable chair to read. Soon after I had started reading, (or, perhaps it was a while after and I was too absorbed in what I was reading to notice.) I surfaced from my book long enough to notice how beautiful life was at that moment. I was sitting in my cozy little room, -which was actually warm enough for once- looking out into the deep blue of the twilight darkness outside my windows. As I turned more of my attention to my surroundings , I noticed that the wind was blowing in the trees, and that there was a lovely smell of cooking –Mommy had started making dinner.
I noticed all this in just a few moments, and then went back to my book with a satisfied smile. I “happened” to be reading about being useful, and all of a sudden, I realized that I could be clearing off the table and setting it while Mommy made dinner, or seeing if she wanted me to help or make a side dish. I quickly turned back to my book again, reluctant to cut short my time reading in my quiet, peaceful room, but, the idea that I ought to go and help in the kitchen would not leave me be. Just then, I read: “Every act of our lives can be in service to God.” I tried to ignore it while I read another chapter, but I just couldn’t. That settled it.
I put my book down, and went to help Mommy with dinner. I’m so glad I did! I was immediately reminded of how delightful it is to do nice little things for my family, and the few small things I did to help made such a difference in our mealtime!
Being in school has not only made me have less time for such things, but I have found that it has given me an excuse to be lazy. Once, tonight, as I was working, I found myself tempted to get annoyed when something wasn’t where it was supposed to be, but then that phrase came to mind again, and I had one of those “Oh!” moments that are so precious. The enormity and truth of that statement hit me and I realized as I stood mixing muffin batter, that even that simple task could be done in service to God. Oh, if only I could always remember to do anything I work at “heartily, as unto the Lord.”!

~“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Colossians 3:23