A peek inside this post: With all her roles and responsibilities, the selfless love of a homemaker is remarkable. It’s easy to feel overlooked or unseen. Read this quick devotion on selflessness for homemakers and be encouraged by Jesus’ example.
Are you looking for some encouragement as you strive to be a selfless homemaker? Continue reading to be uplifted as you stay the course. And find out what exactly pie has to do with the selfless love of a homemaker.
Oh, and Jesus. We can learn so much from His sweet, selfless example.
A Slice of Pie: Devotion on Selflessness for Homemakers
My dear friend makes the best apple pie on the planet. The kind of pie that everyone knows about.
The one people request as their birthday gifts. The one when you see her walking towards you during school pick up, paper plate in hand, your heart skips a beat, hoping it’s there.
This pie recipe was handed down from her grandma, as only the best recipes can be. Because honestly, our grandmothers knew a whole heck of a lot more about life and baking than we’ll ever hope to. Just a side note: start listening to the grandmothers of this world.
>>Read Homemaking Skills You Still Need (even though they’re old fashioned)
It’s No Piece of Cake to Bake a Pie
Anyway, back to pie. This dear friend of mine actually opened her kitchen up to me one day, and not only taught me this world-changing recipe, but also the basics about baking.
Dry goes with dry, wet goes with wet, then you mix the two.
There’s a tool called a pastry blender. Whaaaat?
Make sure the water that goes into the crust is ice cold. Nobody knows why, you just do what your grandma says.
For a short time in her kitchen, I was a baking machine. I could make a pie for goodness sake! Baked goods don’t just get poured out of a box; they are created with love, care, patience, and sacrifice.
But it is work!
You only need to peel and slice apples for one pie before you realize, this takes time! Also, do I need some new vitamins because I’m sure my hands shouldn’t be cramping like this?!
So, when your sweet friend gives you a plate with a slice of perfection that you now know took so much time and effort, it’s no small gesture.
But this crazy thing happens every time she sends a slice with me. I don’t even get home before all my hungry kids are asking for some.
I know what you’re thinking: “Duh Mom, hide that pie until you get home and lock yourself in the bathroom.”
Trust me, I want to. But here’s the thing: My life is one giant slice of apple pie.
Taste and See That the Lord is Good
I give a tiny bit of my pie to everyone, and by doing so, I honor God. I watch their little faces as they put a bite in their mouths, closing their eyes and entering heaven for one small second.
I’ll admit, most of the time, I just divide the piece up between them and let them have it all. I love to watch them savor it.
>> Read How to be a Good Christian Mom
I know the goodness in those bites. I know what they are tasting because I’ve tasted it!
Guys, it’s the same goodness we experience with our Heavenly Father!
In Jeremiah 32:41 God says,
Oh how I will rejoice in them! Oh how I’ll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I’ll plant them in this country and keep them here.
Jeremiah 32:41
God is referring to the Israelites who, bless their souls, could just not get it right! Disobedience, idol worshiping, taking one step toward God’s will, only to stumble four steps back.
But He never gave up. His love for the Israelites, and for us, in spite of every single way we fail, is endless.
And if I could think of one arena in life that reflects this relationship perfectly, it’s motherhood. It doesn’t matter what our kids do, the love remains.
If on one of those glorious pie days one of my children had been especially trying, it wouldn’t change the goodness I’d want for them to experience with a bite of pie.
The Selfless Love of a Homemaker and Jesus’ Example
Giving little bits of ourselves to those around us is sometimes daunting. It’s actually downright exhausting, which is part of the reason I felt the importance of sharing this devotion on selflessness.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been feeling really sorry for myself about how overwhelming my life is, and the FIRST thing I say is, “Well, I haven’t had a minute to myself ALL day!”
>> Read Pep Talk for Mamas Going Through a Hard Season of Parenting
Spoiler alert: When you choose to have five kids you’re gonna need to get over yourself real quick!
And that’s ok, Friend. Because God will give you strength if you ask Him. And God will give you patience if you ask Him.
And God will allow the sun to rise everyday so you can have a fresh start to sacrificially give yourself to those around you to honor Him.
God gave his SON for us. Jesus took on our sin so we could live eternally.
Death is abolished.
The king of kings died for ME.
And YOU.
Let that soak in when you are compelled to feel like you are giving too much of yourself to everyone else.
When you’re sure that your husband stopped noticing every meal you place before him and every lunch you packed for him. Or when you know your kids haven’t stopped to consider the clean, folded laundry they’re pulling out of their drawers to wear every day.
Stop listening to the lies of the world telling you to do what makes you happy. “Live for you!” Or “Put yourself first!”
>> Read Modern Homemaking for Christian Moms with tips for throwing off the shackles that society tells us we wear, and learn the art of embracing homemaking in today’s world.
Instead, start listening to God who says,
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re free people – free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.
And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!
He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
Ephesians 1:7 MSG.
It is an honor to care for not only my family, but my community and every other act of service God places before me.
>> Read Being a Good Steward of Time for Homemakers
Is it sometimes burdensome?
Yes!
Does it sometimes go unnoticed?
Often!
However, my piece of pie, no matter how delicious it is, really is nothing compared to what was freely done for me.
A spirit of giving and loving others above ourselves is not only a good quality, it is literally what God made us to do.
To reflect Him, to be His image.
A Prayer for Selflessness for Homemakers
As you reflect on this devotion on selflessness, can I pray for you?
My prayer to you, Father God, is that we all have a spirit of giving. That you will continue to meet our needs so we can in turn be image-bearers of your glorious love and truth.
That the world does not harden our souls and we are able to open our hearts and minds to those close to us and also far away from us. That we can be a light to others through our service to them, and it is you who shines through.
And that any person reading this who does not know Jesus as their savior would get a taste of the goodness that is you, our God.
We love you and pray this in your Son’s name. Amen.
Related Posts:
Thrive as a Homemaker: a 7-day devotion to help you fall in love with your role Don’t miss this free printable devo!
Christian Homemaking Read these 3 steps toward Joyful Christian Homemaking.
Seasons of Motherhood and Finding Joy in Each One Embrace each stage as you’re in it, because they really do go by so fast!
Resting in God’s grace: a Quick Guide for Moms How would God’s grace and promises change the way you approach your day?
Soul Care for Women Read this to get the RECHARGE you need!
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Book Review from a Christian Mom Need a kick in the pants? This book is amazing for putting your emotions in check. Read our full review!
Thanks for sharing this with us, Savanah! Very *sweet* piece (pun intended).
Exactly what I needed to hear today, Savanah! Good Good stuff right here!