“So if I, your Master and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example – you should do for each other what I have done for you. Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn’t greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them!”

John 13:14-17

Tonight my family squeezed into our living room and studied our Bibles. We were in John 13, and we talked about servanthood.

Servanthood. It’s something mamas know lots about, isn’t it? I’d like to say I’m always a great servant, but honestly, I’m not. My sin nature so easily gets in the way. It is very easy to worry and think about my own perceived needs instead of the others around me.

I cringe when I see all of the self-love hype circling around the internet, from believers no less. I don’t need someone to tell me that I should love myself. This flawed thinking comes all too easily to me! But laying down my life for my family each day is difficult. This is what I need instruction and admonishment in.

Scripture is full of verses about laying down our lives and taking up our cross. This is hard. This is what I need help with!

Some might believe that Scripture says we are wonderful and this is why we should “love ourselves,” but I’m not sure I agree. Yes, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This verse points to our Maker, not to us. Just like an artist is commended for his painting, the Psalmist commends the Lord for His marvelous works.

As a family, we discussed ways to serve each other tonight. This certainly is very contrary to our human nature. But we are called to serve, not to be served or to serve ourselves. We are not greater than the One who called us. We are not greater than the One who gave His life for many. And He is our example. We are to count our own lives as nothing. To live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Be encouraged as you serve your family today, mamas. Your calling is great, and when you serve those around you, you are following the Lord’s example. This is His will for us.

“Not to us, ADONAI, not to us, but to Your Name be the glory— because of Your love and Your faithfulness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:1‬ ‭TLV‬‬

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