By Contributing Writer, Rachel Coltharp
“I want to do something big.” She says it with an apologetic look at me. “Not just take care of a house and little kids.”
Is that a little thing? I suppose if you look at it through the eyes of materialism, or from the perspective of those who believe that making a name for yourself is of the utmost importance, it may be a little thing. But what is it through the eyes of Eternity?
It is no small thing, this raising of children; this molding of their hearts into the image of the Almighty, this careful instruction that prepares them to meet Him, to know Him, to love Him.
It is no small thing that I do every day, for the smallest ones in my household; when I serve the least of these, I am serving Him.
It is no small thing, the giving of my time, the investing of my limited energy into these little ones who never seem to run out of energy. I am investing in eternity, where time will be no more.
Big things. Little things. Who can determine which is which? I choose to let God weigh it out. It's my investment in the hearts, minds, and souls of the children He lent me vs. the material gain and earthly position I might find pursuing lesser things.
It is no small thing, this giving of myself, for little ones, eternal souls. They are mine for a moment. A small, short moment. One day, too soon, they will lay down this skin they are in, and return their lent breath to God who gave it. Then, only then, will the little things be seen for what they really were. When the trophies of this earth have crumbled to dust, when the gains of our world have melted away, when the names of the famous have been forgotten, then we will know.
And then the little things will not seem little at all.
Rachel Coltharp is a pastor's wife of one and mother of four. She is fluent in four languages: Infantese, Toddlerspeak, Teenlingo, and Husbandism. She is a writer and public speaker who shares from her real life experiences, mostly mistakes and do-overs. She is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and an avid disciple of the the Apostolic doctrine. Find her sharing devotions at The Write Word and all things domestic and re-purposed at Galaxy Coltharp.
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:: shared at Better Mom, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, and Women Living Well
Beautifully written, what a beautiful role it is to be a wife mother and servant, it’s not a small thing
Wonderfully written and thank you!
I couldn’t agree more. I have those moments where I think – is this all I can do? Then I remember, this is right where God put me and He knows where I am most needed. Thank you for putting into words, exactly what I feel.
Beautiful! Sometimes it does seem that we do the same thing day in and day out nothing tangible to show for it. And then we see our son gain a victory in an area that he struggles spiritually. Or a precious prayer from the lips of our little girl that awakens a sense of urgency for the battle within us. It’s all the “little things” that make up the big picture! We must be careful not to pass them by!
So true, Kasey!
What a wonderful post, I need to send my daughter a link to it. Rachel is SO right!!! I often wish I could raise my kids over again, I would do so many things differently. When you are in the middle of raising kids, you feel like you’ve been doing it forever and will be doing it forever! But it isn’t so, soon they are gone and their childhood has shaped them into who they are.
Thanks so much, dear lady for this post.
Love and hugs, Cindy
Love and hugs to you, too!
Nicely written, Rachel. Anyone who thinks being a godly mother, and raising children in a godly nurturing home is a “little thing”, ought to see how life works out for people who AREN’T raised in a godly nurturing home.
Hi Rachel. Love the name! It’s my eldest daughter’s name.
I just found you through a link up. This post speaks to my heart. I have been a stay-home Mom for the last two and a half years to four children, six and a half years old and younger. I used to think that my career was so-o-o important. Thank God He got a hold of my heart and showed me the blessing in the children that I have and how raising them in the admonition of Him meant I needed to be here with them. I agree it is no small thing raising children and it will pass by so quickly. Thank you for reminding me that it is a Big thing that I do. God bless.