Lent Devotional

My name is Ashley Williams, and I have been attending Fellowship with my husband Eric for nearly 10 years. We began attending the church when we were engaged, and now have two children, Audrey (4) and Logan (1). I was on staff for 5 years with various roles in connecting & community, event planning, and executive administration. Now as a stay-at-home mom, I volunteer in Preschool Ministry and on the Marriage Ministry Team. I also enjoy being a member of MomCo and a Young Families Life Group.

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As a stay-at-home mom, I resonate with David's words in verse 1. Despite my abilities, God has not put me in a season to "concern myself with great matters" or to "fantasize grandiose plans" (The Message). My days are spent playing and teaching, changing diapers, managing emotions, and keeping up with never-ending housework. Parenthood has helped me understand the sacrificial love of Jesus as I give of myself (and at times, my physical body!) to serve my children — even when they don't understand or deserve it. Yet, I find contentment in the simple moments and in the blessing of time to disciple my children and be in community with other moms.

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Verse 2 describes this humble-hearted person as a "weaned child with its mother". My toddler, Logan, is the literal depiction of this, having recently weaned from nursing. When he was an infant, he often only wanted "Mama". He was constantly being passed back to me because he was hungry and needed feeding. Now, as a toddler who has fallen in love with snacks and mealtime at the table, he is the "content" child in verse 2 — calm and safe in his mother's arms. He knows he is right where he belongs and is not in want of anything.

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Infants and toddlers form their identity through attachment and emotional safety — learning that they are loved and secure. My busy little Logan is constantly returning to me to snuggle in my lap or be carried in my arms. Even as I type these words, he is standing next to me, holding on to my leg. He's enjoying a TV show, but still needs to be near me. I love this imagery as a picture of us as children that need the closeness of our Heavenly Father as we go about our day — to abide in his presence. How often do I come to the Father without an agenda? This challenges me to slow down my recitation of requests, complaints, or longings for "more", and simply dwell in the Lord's presence throughout my day — exactly where he has placed me.

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Maybe you can relate to being in (or being nudged towards) a role that challenges your pride. Perhaps you're at a job that pays the bills but doesn't align with your passion or expertise. Or maybe you have an opportunity to say "yes" to serving the church or community in a way that doesn't feel particularly glamorous. I think of the humility of our Fellowship volunteers who clean the church building, care for babies & children, assist with Care needs, and bake communion bread, to name just a few.

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As you find yourself in roles of humble work or service, remember the image of the content child in the arms of their Heavenly Father. He will be near you in the challenges or even the loneliness, providing the strength and sufficiency that you need. Let this passage encourage you to rest in contentment as you humbly serve others and live like Jesus.