Salt in the Kitchen....series

Salt in my Kitchen

by

Jeanette Lockerbie

 

Stoop Labor

 

Bible reading:

 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5-11In some agricultural area farmers have need of what the term "stoop labor." These are workers who handpick fruit such as strawberries, or set out seedlings that have to e specially handle. It's backbreaking toil. Not many flock to this type of job. How often the young homemaker, weary after a morning of "picking up" after a small child and wiping up sticky floors,complains, "I'm nothing but a 'stoop laborer,' and I was trained for better things than this!" A little quiet reflection would bring to the mind of the Christian the One who voluntarily humbled Himself with no griping, no complaining.
"Let this ind be in you" (v.5)- in you, Mrs. Homemaker- writes the Apostle Paul. The mind controls the reactions. It's the mind, no the "dishpan hands," not the tired feet, that rebels. It's the mind too that can make humble housework bring glory to God. The right frame of mind can make a challenge of the most drab, menial job. But the wrong frame of mind makes a miserable chore out of the pleasantest duty. Do you sometimes feel you're nothing but servant? If you will reread verse seven, you will find you are in wonderful company.