But more personally, thank you for writing this quote below. It sits on the windowsill over my sink and reminds me what I'm doing most days. I hope you understand, it's easy to lose track sometimes.
Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says, "Alas! Must I rock the baby? Wash its diapers? Make its bed? Smell its stench? Stay at nights with it? Take care of it when it cries? Heal its rashes and sores? And on top of that care for my spouse, provide labor at my trade, take care of this and take care of that? Do this and do that? And endure this and endure that? Why should I make such a prisoner of myself?"
What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful and despised duties in the spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels.It says, "O God, I confess I am not worthy to rock that little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of a child and its mother. How is it that I without any merit have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? Oh, how gladly will I do so. Though the duty should be even more insignificant and despised, neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor will distress me for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight."
Kelly, Thanks for sharing that quote. It's such a good reminder. If you've never seen it, you might like to look at the titus2talk blog. I just found it today via Challie's blog and enjoyed the piece on Katie Luther. Scroll down and see a very funny youtube video of Piper. Here's the link: http://titus2talk.blogspot.com/index.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that quote. I remember this on your sink and it is definitely a great reminder that we do what we do for the glory of God and we should be thankful! May God bless your work with the 4 rewards the Lord has blessed you with!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Thanks Beth...I had heard the audio of the Piper bit before, but apparently somebody got creative with the video! "JOHN PIPER IS BAD."
ReplyDeleteHave you read Luther and His Katie? It's a great (short) biography of Katie.
I have to say that Luther, having gone from the monastic life (albeit an academic one) to a married with children life, would have particular sensitivity to the challenges and graces of children!
ReplyDeleteI know that there is a particular joy that our vowed religious friends greet our children with, and a particular relief in their goodbyes!
I had not read this quote before, but am printing it out for myself. You are very encouraging to me Kelly. I also know absolutely nothing about Katie Luther and am going to see if she is in any of the books I have and read about her!
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