Her hands form dough, which she rolls into flatbread. She makes tea, every single day, with a sprinkle of cardamom or fennel.
That was not always the case. Once, a very long time ago, she was a teacher. And a writer. Once, many years ago, she won an award from a BBC writing contest.
But life’s circumstances brought a move across an ocean, to another continent. She had a one-year-old holding her hand while getting off the plane. One month later, another infant was born.
My mother did not speak English when she walked off that plane, holding my hand. She came to a country not knowing the language, knowing no one, completely dropping into a new culture and lifestyle.
She learned English by watching “I Love Lucy” on television in a small, sparsely furnished apartment in New Jersey. But, she did learn. I am not sure at what point one becomes assimilated into a culture, but at some point that also did happen.
If we must define ourselves by our work, then we are all left to an arbitrary definition of “work”, and the risk of a warped sense of worth.
All work is work, after all.
Work is valuable.
Work is honorable.
Work is meant to be.
Work is honest.
Work is dignity.
Work is good.
God meant us to work, whether it be pulling weeds, or pulling teeth, or pulling out tangles from a daughter’s long hair, as my mother used to do for me.
Learning a new language and a new culture took work. Learning to cook with different ingredients took work. Learning to survive in a new culture took work. Learning how to raise children in a new country took work.
She did not stop working. Her work simply changed. She did not return to teaching, although she did volunteer in school occasionally. She continues her writing, though it remains unpublished and unseen.
Who can say any of this is a less useful destiny than that of a CEO, or that of a teacher, or that of a doctor?
Some of us may continue in a particular type of work for most of our lives. For others of us, the work we do may change and vary. Our destiny to work, however, does not change. We all have that in common.
We find part of God’s purpose for us through that work. We worship Him through our work. We glorify Him through our work. He expands His kingdom through the work we humbly offer, as paltry as it may seem if assessed among worldly standards.
Rolling out flatbread is unlikely to win accolades from the world. Neither is making tea, or combing a child’s hair.
But it is honorable work. It is a destiny. And it is good.
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Sharing with the The High Calling’s community linkup for “Share Your Story: Designed to Work” series.
Also sharing with Jennifer Dukes Lee for the #TellHisStory linkup.
What a lovely writer you are. I look forward to following your blog.
Trisha, thanks so much for those kinds words– it made my day! Lovely words at your blog, too– such a wonderful tribute to your dad. Yes, work can lead us to worship if we let it– I often need that reminder! 🙂
Wonderful story! You remind me how important it is to avoid valuing one kind of work over another, and your mother’s work is hidden but beautiful and to be celebrated. I’m so glad you wrote this and linked up, because you share an important story. What an honor it would be to drink her tea and eat a bit of her flatbread.
Ann, thank you! And I appreciate the opportunity to link up over at The High Calling. Each life is a unique story– I enjoy reading the different posts.
Actually, having a tea break and talking about your new book is something I’d love to do-maybe at an upcoming tournament, perhaps? Now that is a lovely thought indeed, like an oasis in the midst of a hectic tourney!
Prasanta,
Your mom’s story touched me deeply and how she valued the work she did in mothering you…and you’re right, work is work although our culture tends to value the outward, high-paying kind…but in God’s economy, it is so different…Thank you 🙂
Dolly, I am so thankful for this lesson in God’s economy and what He values. 🙂 Nothing compares. Thank you for the comment love today.
Um… wow. This is really good. I’m so delighted that you’ve shared with us at The High Calling and at #TellHisStory. I apologize for the delay in getting over here to tell you how much I appreciate your words. VERY grateful for you.
Grateful for YOU and YOUR words, Jennifer… for your site, and for THC. 🙂 Appreciate you!