“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” Matthew 25:21
Do you long to hear those words “well done my good and faithful servant?”
Over my adult life, there have been many good and faithful servants in my life but often times I may not have truly recognized there service as so. Throughout my life, I have been a very selfish, independent young woman.
When others serve me, I tend to find it hard to accept, mainly the root being my independence. I also have noticed in my adult life that I may have taken others’ service towards me for granted, the root being my selfishness. Since my faith was ignited, I have been trying to recognize and be more attentive to my old habits and be more in tuned to being a good and faithful servant.
This past year, God has been teaching me a lot about service, through events in my life. I have been on the receiving end of many wonderful women’s service and I have walked along side many as they served others. It has been a beautiful journey learning to accept it when I need to and appreciate those that are giving their time and talents. It also has been joyous serving along side these beautiful women.
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This weekend, I was reminded of a different kind of service, a service that is humbling and small. I never considered, visiting another person who is going through a difficult period service. This weekend, I experienced a form of service that brought joy to my soul, yet sadness to my heart. In my past, this is the service that was given to me, yet I never recognized it as service. This person I visited was a person who cares about me and has offered me support and comfort. Today I realize that it was Jesus acting through her. Jesus suffering with me. At Mass today, one of our parish Deacon’s beautifully painted the picture of a good and faithful servant. He said that there are 3 things that a person who serves will undergo.
- He/she will undergo suffering. To serve another, you have to make a sacrifice.
- He/she will be united in suffering with that person, just as we are united to Jesus in His suffering on the cross.
- He/she will carry a piece of the load of the person being served, just as Jesus carries our load.
The Homily spoke so greatly to my heart and highlighted my weekend visit. My friend is a good and faithful servant and has been by my side picking me up and providing me shelter through some very tough times. I have prayed and spoken to her a number of times during her suffering but had not gone to sit with her to share moments of laughter. This weekend I cleared part of my day to do just that, go sit and share a smile with her.
Serving is not just about doing big things, such as volunteering to clean up after a hurricane, or at a soup kitchen. It’s more than that. Serving is also showing love to your neighbor through humble, small acts. It’s sitting with an old man or old lady that has no family, but smiles at the site of your presence. It’s saying a kind word to the person at the register, that looks like she has had a rough day and bringing joy in that very moment. Serving is picking someone up when they are down, lifting the load off their shoulders, even if it’s for a split second. It’s feeling their suffering and walking their journey beside them.
Even in the small things, we can serve one another spreading the joy of our Lord and bearing the suffering with one another. When you think of serving, don’t just think of the big ticket items but think of the small acts of love and kindness. Take a little extra time and bring a smile to someone’s face by feeling their suffering and lifting the weight from their shoulders by bringing a joy filled smile upon their face. By sharing in the small matters, you will be given great responsibility, sharing in your Father’s love – go and be a “good and faithful servant.”
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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