Some parts of ministry give me a high. I like to imagine it’s similar to a runner’s high, but as I refuse to run, I can’t be certain. This week a few incredible things happened. I had an opportunity to lead a workshop for college students on Women in Ministry, my absolute favorite topic ever. We explored some of the challenges women face in ministry and then read II Kings 22 and analyzed how King Josiah and the prophet Huldah both used their gifts and leadership; as a result, they brought revival to the kingdom of Judah. Seeing the students engaged made my teacher heart soar. Hearing from female students how much it meant to them that we would discuss this topic encouraged my pastor heart. At the end of our time together, I felt like we could change the world.

Later that same day, more happy news came. In August, I submitted a piece to a writing contest hosted by Christians for Biblical Equality and was one of the fifteen writers who had won. I was elated and couldn’t wait to see my post up. By that evening, it was live on their blog. I felt the thrill of seeing fruit from my persistent work, a glimmer of what could be. A year ago, I began an online writing course to help me develop my writing skills, and for the last six months, I have been putting to practice what I’ve learned through this blog. This is the first time my work had been published outside of my own blog. It is a small step but a step just the same.

After such a wonderful week, I woke this morning motivated to see what was ahead. One of my goals for the day was a trip to our local grocery store (Trader Joe’s). Once Sweet Girl had breakfast, she and I headed on our little adventure. As I perusing the cheese section (of all sections), I could smell it before I heard a second round of toots. I looked down at Sweet Girl in her carrier. “Are you serious?” I asked her. She didn’t reply as she was busy gazing down the chip and snack aisle. I maneuvered the shopping cart off to the side and headed to the bathroom. I dreaded what I would discover, but there was no way to avoid it. What I suspected was true…a beautiful blow out that went up her back, onto the carrier, and on me. Lovely. As a first time parent, I worked as quickly as I possibly could to get her cleaned up and changed, ever so grateful I remembered to grab the new pack of wipes before I left the house.  

As I worked, I realized that this diaper change was serving as much as my workshop or the published blog post. As I talked to Sweet Girl, cleaned her, put on new clothes, I was showing her the same love God shows me, the same love God asks us to show others. It wasn’t glamorous or world changing. It was ordinary and mundane. Sometimes serving isn’t sexy, but that’s not really the point. In the highlights and in the everyday, we have opportunities to love and to care and point people to Jesus. It matters that we take every opportunity that comes our way, even the stinky ones, perhaps especially the stinky ones.

Movement Step: Reflect on the different ways you serve God and others. If none come to mind, pray and ask God to show you how you can partner with God to love others well and point them to Jesus through service.