Doing God’s work

Someone in church shared a really interesting quote in their talk a few weeks ago, so I wrote it down. When I got home, I Googled it, and found the talk it came from. The line is at the end of this quote (emphasis is mine):

Who does God’s work will get God’s pay,
However long may seem the day,
However weary be the way.
No mortal hand, God’s hand can stay,
He may not pay as others pay,
In gold, or lands, or raiments gay,
In goods that perish and decay;
But God’s high wisdom knows a way,
And this is sure, let come what may—
Who does God’s work will get God’s pay.

I testify to you that God’s pay is the best pay that this world or any other world knows anything about.

The poem and the quote come from a talk about putting God first in our lives. So often when I hear about putting the Lord first, or doing the Lord’s work, I think of the noble pursuits in theology and evangelism and service—all things I really don’t have as much time and effort and me available for with the amount of those things motherhood requires. So, I wonder, am I not putting the Lord first? Am I not giving enough?

But as I read the full address this quote comes from, I came across a paragraph that supported a belief I’ve clung to for reassurance. (Having it set out as a doctrine of my faith makes me feel a little better too 😉 .) (Emphasis mine again, too.)

You mothers who are especially charged with the righteous rearing of the youth of Zion, are you not putting God first when you honor your divine calling by not leaving the homefront to follow the ways of the world? Our mothers put God first when they fill their highest mission within the walls of their own homes.

While there’s always more we can do for the Lord, knowing that the biggest, most me-consuming pursuit of my life is serving Him helps me not only feel better about the state of my life, but also remind me just how seriously I should take this calling.

What do you think? What helps you to remember how important motherhood is? What makes you feel better about the amount of time and effort you devote to Sisyphus childrearing?

Photo by Heidi & Matt