Chapter 6- Kitchen Service

We have made it from the living room to the kitchen.  This chapter was about our service to others through God.  The how we serve, the why we serve, the way we serve.  She gives the example that Jesus served in 3 ways and we too should serve in those ways too.  He served on his way, out of his way, and in all kinds of ways.  Service to God is truly met with a time of prayer.  We can't expect God to honor our plans for service.  We have to see where God is serving and join in.  That is why we must first spend time in the living room.  Only then can we move into service.  Also, think of Mother Teresa or Brother Lawrence.  There service was anything but glamourous.  Mother Teresa worked with those who were sick and Brother Lawrence spent his time in the kitchen.  These are not the places I would choose to do my serving, but it is where God sent them.  Our joy in serving God will only come if we are serving in the way we are called too.  That is why prayer goes hand in hand with serving God.

The kitchen analogy hits home with me.  I love/have to have a clean kitchen.  If my kitchen is dirty I'm all out of sorts.  I'm short with my kids, cranky with my husband, and just all around nuts.  Maybe that is because it is hard to work in a kitchen that is dirty.  I know that deeds and works are not what gets me to heaven, but part of my heart and my faith has to be in the kitchen.  So I need to keep it clean.  I need to be ready to jump up at a moments notice and bake with my kids or serve God.  If the kitchen is dirty I might not hear God calling or I might miss the opportunity to have fun.

My prayer is usually a simple one.  "God, yes or no to this task or opportunity for service?"  I have become one of the immediate "let me think about it (with the thought that I will say no)" or "no" people.  That's not what I want.  I know I'm busy and full of things to do, but what is God telling me to do?  God is the direction for my days through prayer.  What am I to do next?  Maybe it is the laundry, but it could also be saying yes to something that is out of my comfort zone.

I have been praying while reading this chapter for a passion to serve.  What, I'm not sure.  I love serving my family (think laundry, lots and lots of laundry), but there is something else out there for me to do.  Maybe not right now, but someday.  I pray God keeps my eyes and heart open to what it is.  My vocation and my calling is to serve.  I have trouble saying that because it seems so "random".  My husbands is so clear.  He is called to be a pastor.  I'm called to clean the car, do laundry, balance the check book, read to the kids, make lunch.  I don't "go" to work.  I work all the time.  I know I'm called to this life right now but I'm praying for a passion to help serve more.