365 Project Day 187: Secret Servants

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L,  1.6 aperture, 1/80 shutter 250 ISO

I am not sure who started it, really. Maybe it started here. But, every day now, I am getting more and more out-served by my family. It is like a game, almost. Like they are all asking the question, ” How can I  secretly serve someone who is not here right now?”  For instance, when I go in my bathroom to shower, I find there is always a fresh, dry towel that my husband has secretly changed out for me. While I was sleeping.

It is one of the most exquisite ways to be loved. Discovering that someone has paid attention to what is important to you, thought about you when you were not there, and then done something specifically for you. Amazing, really. Annie knows how important my coffee is to me, so every day, when I wake after a late night of blogging, and she is already gone to work, I find my French Press has been cleaned and is ready for my use. That is attention to detail. Sweet love.

She has even learned how I like to fix my coffee, and sometimes she will just fix me a cup if I am feeling tired.

Katie will often empty the dishwasher without being asked, and there is a ninja among us who often folds whatever clothes are in the dryer. We often ask each other, “Did you fold my laundry?” I love that. Secret service.

Chris knows of my need for the house to smell good. He knows it can turn my world right-side-up. Most mornings I awake to candle burning in the kitchen. He has thought about me.  I walk in and smile,  and even though he is already gone for the day, I feel his “I love you” because of this little detail. This is the kind of thing that makes marriage and family not only work, but a delight to the soul.

I cannot say enough about this type of love. Serving others is the best way to love them, and to make yourself invaluable in the process. Jesus is our best example of this, washing the feet of those He led, and then ultimately giving His life for us all.

It really is about the little things. The Kingdom of God is not about climbing higher, but bowing lower to love and to serve.

Mark 10:43-45 ~ ” Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 14:10,11 ~ “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”