Tuesday Tapestry: "IF" - The Biggest Little Word Ever! {Part 2}

Click here to read "IF" - The Biggest Little Word Ever {Part 1} 

Last Tuesday, we talked about all the times we use the word "IF".  You can click the link above to read more.

Today we are talking about an "IF" God has given us.  A condition.  A promise.  Something that will happen IF we do our part.  

What is that promise?  

Galatians 6:9 ~

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The promise - We will reap!

The condition {our part} - IF we faint not!  {we will reap regardless.  But we will reap good things IF we faint not....}

So many mothers are "weary in well doing".  There's so much to do and no one to help.  Everyone needs something and they all want it at once.  You feel all alone.  You feel helpless and discouraged.  You can't do it all.  I know I've been there. 

We need to remember that the love we're sowing today {and yes, changing a baby's yucky diaper is considered an act of love by God!} will be reaped in "due season" if we faint not.  Continue the house work, the cooking, the laundry.  Continue changing all those diapers, and homeschooling.  Continue teaching that Sunday School class, or visiting that person who says she'll come to church but never does.  It really is so worth it!  

Consider the condition:  We WILL reap IF we faint not.  Don't give up!  Continue!  Continue!  Continue!  You may not see any benefit from your labors today.  You may not hear any "thank yous" today, this week, or even this year, but you can know that God sees and He will reward you according to your labors.  

photo credit

Colossians 4:17

...Take heed to the ministry which thou has received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it....

I used to think that my husband was out working in the ministry racking up rewards in Heaven, while I was at home cleaning up after kids, and dogs and doing all the 'dirty' work!  But then, I realized that my husband, my children, and my home were my ministry.  

My husband can't do what God has for him IF I'm not home serving and making it possible for him to do those things!!   Your job as your husband's wife is to make him comfortable, feed his belly, sooth his soul, be his sounding board, wash his laundry, and do whatever else you can to make him more successful in his ministry.  That's it!  God has called your husband to walk with Him in whatever job he has - ministry or otherwise.  You are called to help your husband fulfill that role.  It's actually pretty simple when you step back and look at the big picture.  

God considers being a servant better than being served.  God knows that your husband can't do what he does without you and your support - even though your husband may not always realize this.  Once I figured this out, I was able to move ahead and be happy in my work.  I realized that I was doing what I do to improve my husband's ministry!  I was doing what I do for God!  And, I must admit, I have plenty of fun reminding my husband that *I* am the most important part of "us" because *I* am his servant. =P  Let's face it, ladies, men just can't make it without us!!  ;)

Weary in well doing:  Washing dishes, laundry, house work, homeschooling, cooking, groceries, diapers, and a whole host of other jobs - all of this is "well doing".  Someone has to do it.  Someone has to train up the next generation in how to do it.  

Just remember - there's a SOMEONE up in Heaven who knows what you've done!  I've also told my husband, "God knows I've cleaned up such and such at least 5 times today even if no one else can tell!".  God knows.  And God will reward you for each of those 5 times!  

Do you remember the apple tree we talked about last week?  Did you know an apple tree has to grow for 7 years before it can produce any apples?  7 Years is "due season" for an apple tree. Sometimes it's the same with us.  We love and we pour ourselves into our children and our housework.  No one can tell.  The house looks the same today as it did yesterday {or 5 minutes ago} and it will look the same tomorrow.  The kids are all the same.  No big changes are seen.   But today is not "due season".  Due season is God's timing. 

He has promised that we will reap in due season.  

What will we reap?  What ever we sow {good or bad}!!

When will we reap?  In due season - but we only reap good IF we faint not.  

Due season is coming!  Will you be happy with what you sowed?  Will you be glad you continued?  Or will you be wishing you had not given up? 

Don't give up!  Continue!  Don't stop now.  You're almost there!  And just think of the rewards that await you!  It's so worth it!  All of it!

Angela Vance ~ Hidden Treasures
Preacher's Wife