I didn’t think a cupcake could do that.
Colette has been without her friends and most family for over a month now. Covid hit right after her birthday, ruining a lot of our plans for her. Not a unique story in the world today. Understanding her heart and trying to meet her needs each and every day hasn’t been easy. Though I’m a big part of the picture, there are a lot of colors missing and her world often seems bleak. I was never meant to do this alone and I was never meant to be somebody’s everything. Yet- day after day, I’m home. She’s home. Isolation from friends and family has begun to take its toll on us.
There’s a scripture that has found its way onto many walls of Christian households. You can find it at your local Hobby Lobby (if only it were open). “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”- Joshua 24:15. How we go about serving the Lord in our homes is sometimes very different from the way we serve Him on the outside. In my own home, I am extremely “others-minded”. But outside the house, I’m afraid to be. I’ve presented ideas for “social distancing” hangouts with others and it just hasn't happened. Others have extended ideas to me and I’m the one not able to make it happen. Scheduling conflicts or fear of the unknown has kept so many of us away from one another. So how can I have my household “serve the Lord” in a time like this? I’ve got a three year old and a baby at home!
We decided it would be a good idea to make some cupcakes, write some cards, and do a “drive by drop”. We spent all of Thursday prepping. Cola had a blast making the cupcakes and we were so proud to deliver them the next day! I used it as a lesson on generosity and told her “just because we can’t play with people doesn’t mean we can’t show them how much we love them.” I’d soon find out that teaching her this message was easier said than done.
We drove to the first house and it was all I could do to keep her from running up and hugging her friend. I caught her and held her back to respect the 6-foot rule. Her little chest was pumping and she was brimming with hope and excitement- only to be held back and reminded “we just tell them we love them and miss them. Remember, baby? We can’t touch them right now.”
The next house we went to, the same thing happened. They opened the door and Colette forgot about the rules and almost went in before I caught her. She turned to me and gave me this startled look that said “oh, sorry mommy.” But she was so confused. And it hurt me. It hurt me that she had to hold back. We gave them the cupcakes and note, chatted a little, and headed back to our car. The other person in the house was finishing a walk and we met her on the road (staying 6 feet apart). Colette bragged about how big she was getting and we had a lovely time talking with the lady before getting in the car again.
I could tell that despite the nice outside “hangout”, my daughter was beginning to pull back from the joy she started out with on our Cupcake Excursion. I heard her let out a deep sigh from her car seat. She was gazing out the window when I looked back. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I just really wish I could have a cupcake.”
“We’ll have our cupcake soon.” I told her.
It was true. I had saved one for her to have after lunch- but I knew that her meaning ran deeper than just a cupcake. It broke my heart.
I didn’t think a cupcake could do that. But it did.
“But I want one now, Mommy.”
“Well who did we make those cupcakes for?”
“Me?”
“No baby. Who did we make them for?”
“Everyone.”
Her realization that the delivering of cupcakes wasn’t about her was also the message that I needed to hear. Truth is- I wasn’t having a great time delivering these cupcakes either. I was sad inside. Aching, really. Some people didn’t get to come to the door and some people weren’t home when we dropped off. I wanted to see them so badly. I couldn’t hug anyone. I couldn’t stay for long periods of time and let our kids run out in the yard together. I thought - this is a huge let down when it was meant to be uplifting! What in the world?!
You see- on a normal basis, my needs are always met in my service of others. So the question during Covid becomes- “Will I still serve God if my needs aren’t being met?”
Grocery store clerks are now serving customers without the normal “how are you? How’s it going? Find everything you need?” They’re afraid to ask these questions because the answers aren’t always uplifting.
Medical personnel on the front lines are being met with aggression over policies that they didn’t create. My best friend is about to go into labor any minute now and she’s told me her nurses and doctors apologize over and over again during her appointments because of the increased precautions that they’re having to take. Police officers are having to combat rumors about their intentions for a routine stop. “Why are you stopping me? Is it because I’m out of my house? I’m an essential worker!” No…. it’s because you were speeding, crazy.
I get a video for our church sermon on Saturday night and we watch on Sunday morning. My pastor is without his congregation. His congregation is without their friends and family. Yet he’s still up there, staring into a camera, and offering hope to God’s people.
The police officer is still protecting the city.
The nurses and doctors are still delivering babies.
Truck drivers and grocery store workers are spending endless hours meeting demands of a stay-at-home population.
They’re definitely not doing it for the paycheck. They’re doing it for the whole. Serving themselves away.
As for me and my household? We will too. We will serve the Lord no matter what it costs us. No matter how uncomfortable it is to meet with people over videochat. No matter how hard it is to see someone and not embrace them. No matter how much it hurts. Like my pastor said this Sunday and many Sundays before since this all started: “We Can Do Hard Things.”
“I’m not built to stay home all the time.” I’ve said this. And while it feels true, it can’t be. The God who made me, equipped me for every purpose He has for me. I will grow into a servant who can give without receiving. I can develop new ways of thinking when it comes to having an “escape”. I may turn to scripture or prayer more than when the world was still in motion. I’m stuck at home, but He’s still on the throne. His work is my work and I don’t believe He’s done yet.
Reflect
Do Something
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts (me) in all my affliction, so that (I) may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which (I) am comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Listen
Her realization that the delivering of cupcakes wasn’t about her was also the message that I needed to hear. Truth is- I wasn’t having a great time delivering these cupcakes either. I was sad inside. Aching, really. Some people didn’t get to come to the door and some people weren’t home when we dropped off. I wanted to see them so badly. I couldn’t hug anyone. I couldn’t stay for long periods of time and let our kids run out in the yard together. I thought - this is a huge let down when it was meant to be uplifting! What in the world?!
You see- on a normal basis, my needs are always met in my service of others. So the question during Covid becomes- “Will I still serve God if my needs aren’t being met?”
Grocery store clerks are now serving customers without the normal “how are you? How’s it going? Find everything you need?” They’re afraid to ask these questions because the answers aren’t always uplifting.
Medical personnel on the front lines are being met with aggression over policies that they didn’t create. My best friend is about to go into labor any minute now and she’s told me her nurses and doctors apologize over and over again during her appointments because of the increased precautions that they’re having to take. Police officers are having to combat rumors about their intentions for a routine stop. “Why are you stopping me? Is it because I’m out of my house? I’m an essential worker!” No…. it’s because you were speeding, crazy.
I get a video for our church sermon on Saturday night and we watch on Sunday morning. My pastor is without his congregation. His congregation is without their friends and family. Yet he’s still up there, staring into a camera, and offering hope to God’s people.
The police officer is still protecting the city.
The nurses and doctors are still delivering babies.
Truck drivers and grocery store workers are spending endless hours meeting demands of a stay-at-home population.
They’re definitely not doing it for the paycheck. They’re doing it for the whole. Serving themselves away.
As for me and my household? We will too. We will serve the Lord no matter what it costs us. No matter how uncomfortable it is to meet with people over videochat. No matter how hard it is to see someone and not embrace them. No matter how much it hurts. Like my pastor said this Sunday and many Sundays before since this all started: “We Can Do Hard Things.”
“I’m not built to stay home all the time.” I’ve said this. And while it feels true, it can’t be. The God who made me, equipped me for every purpose He has for me. I will grow into a servant who can give without receiving. I can develop new ways of thinking when it comes to having an “escape”. I may turn to scripture or prayer more than when the world was still in motion. I’m stuck at home, but He’s still on the throne. His work is my work and I don’t believe He’s done yet.
Reflect
- How is God asking You to serve Him? How have you said Yes? How have you said No?
- What part of Quarantine has kept you in grim spirits? What part affects you the most?
- How have you been reaching out to others during this time? Is it painful for you? Why or why not?
Do Something
- Leave some baked goods or offer to bring someone dinner. Leave a note and tell them how much you miss them.
- Plan to see people in a safe environment. On the porch, 6 feet away!
- That person that’s been bugging you to see them or drop by? Find a way to connect with them that glorifies God and keeps you safe.
- Insert yourself in this scripture this week and say it over and over again when you feel darkness creeping back in. Better yet- think of someone you know is hurting! Pray this over them by putting their name in the parentheses.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts (me) in all my affliction, so that (I) may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which (I) am comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Listen
U by 10,000 Fathers feat Aaron Keys
Live Video
Lyric Video
Further Reading
Feel free to insert yourself in all of these scriptures. The living and breathing word of God is written so that you may believe every word! Hold fast to its truths, dear friends.
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:25-26 ESV
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19 ESV
“Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 ESV
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 ESV
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Romans 12:10-13 ESV
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 ESV
Live Video
Lyric Video
Further Reading
Feel free to insert yourself in all of these scriptures. The living and breathing word of God is written so that you may believe every word! Hold fast to its truths, dear friends.
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:25-26 ESV
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19 ESV
“Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 ESV
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 ESV
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Romans 12:10-13 ESV
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 ESV
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