…But God’s Vessel of Honor
by Ashleigh

“I am only one
But I am one
And I cannot do everything
But I can do something
And what I can do I will do
And what I will do I must do
For I am one.”

 Two years ago, when I read this quote, I realized something very significant…something amazing. I am one!

I am the third daughter of ten children. I have realized that because I have eight younger brothers and sisters watching me, my life is influencing them greatly! I often have to stop and ask myself, am I blessing or cursing? Am I building or breaking? Am I leaving a life-changing imprint on these younger lives for the use of God?

We regularly have well-meaning people tell us girls that we should be out there, finding ministries and getting busy. While visiting the doctor a couple of months ago, he heard that I was the daughter of ten children and homeschooled. He asked me, “Do you find that you get your own independence with all that?” He almost sounded concerned. I didn’t quite know what he meant, but it suddenly dawned on me, our family is different! How often do you see a family all travelling in one vehicle at one time? Or going for walks on the beach, going to parks, singing together in the home, going to birthday parties all together? It surely is a beauty that is disappearing. God has done much in our lives for this to take place, and is still doing so much more. I already have a ministry—my family. They are one of my biggest ministries at the moment: living with my family and helping out where needed.

If we all realized that we each are a significant one; that we can make such a difference just through washing dishes or hanging out laundry, or giving time to siblings. God places each new day into our lives almost as a test, a fresh test for His children to praise and honor Him. If we would “let go, and let God,” how much more each one of us would be transformed!

I see my time of serving my family as training ground for the future. I told one mother that my big dream is Africa, going to remote villages and orphanages. She asked me how I was preparing for that today by serving my family. I realized that it’s not me who is preparing; it’s God who is preparing me: He has placed me in a home were I cook for “big numbers,” clean, look after little ones, and more. He’s preparing me for something, maybe not Africa or overseas, but something.

In all that God brings into our life, do we girls realize that He’s wanting to shape us into His tools? He’s making us into rubies, worth much in the eyes of Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful? When I tire, I have to remember that He is making me into something—a vessel for His use and glory!

“Will He plead against me with His great power?
No: but He would put strength in me.
But He knoweth the way that I take:
when He hath tried me,
I shall come forth as gold.”
(Job 23:6,10)

The Lord has given us daughters different opportunities and circumstances to serve. However, are we seeing that even the simplest things have the capacity to be great ministries for Him? He’s given us “ministries” that are not always seen as ministries, but God’s working on us through the unique opportunities of serving our parents, brothers and sisters.

It’s a hidden service that, most of the time, is only seen by God. We do not need to worry about what others don’t agree with in our lives, as long as we know that we are right where God wants us!

“The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
{Hebrews 13:6} 

~Ashleigh
{Guest Writer from New Zealand}