Baking of Bread: A Mom's Humbling Sacrifice

"For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls." - 2 Corinthians 12:14-15

Ever since I can remember, my parents have gone above and beyond to provide for my brother and I. We've never gone hungry or unclothed. We've never had to live on the streets or move in with friends. We've had numerous family trips and vacations. We've both been able to go to college. And, I've been able to go to Kenya. The Summer of 2013 will be for the third time. It is easy to look at my life and see that I've been greatly blessed with a fantastic family and parents that go out of their way to make sure I have what I need and most of what I want. (Still working on the F250;) )

Today, I was reminded just how much they do sacrifice for me, even at almost 23 years old. Still being in school, I don't have a lot of time to work which means I don't have the means to pay for a lot right now. More days than not, I walk around feeling guilty about it. But, today I was reminded that that's what God gave me parents for - to provide for me. Now, one day I will not rely on my parents anymore for my daily living, but for now that's the circumstances I've been given. I truly believe the Lord is using it to keep me humble and to remind me that I can't do anything on my own. Even when I won't rely on my parents anymore, I will still have to rely on Him - for even more than I rely on my parents now.

This morning, my mom sent me an email that she also sent out to her friends and co-workers. This is what it said:

Dear Friends and Supporters!!
My daughter, Abi, has applied and been accepted to go back to Kenya next summer with Choose to Invest.  She will go as staff this time.  This is truly where God is leading and using her.  All my bread proceeds for this year will again go to Kenya!  Just when I thought I would get ahead on some things, God seems to have other ideas.  I am so thankful He has given me this outlet in order to serve Him.

As many times as I've thought about people serving the body of Christ, I seem to forget that I am part of that body. My mom has sacrificed so much over the years for my brother and I. I can't even pretend to know all the things she's wanted to do but hasn't done so that we could do what we wanted. This is just another example of that. My mom's bread baking is her thing - something she loves doing for our family as well as others. And, yet again, she is using it to help me get to where I'm meant to be. I'm speechless as I read over this email again and again. I may be called to reach people 9,000 miles away, but my mom is reaching someone under her own roof. (Which is JUST as important and necessary might I add.) I am so humbled and thankful for the things my mom has done and is currently doing to help get me to where God has called me. I'm a part of my family for a reason and God knew long before I was created that I would need them to help me with all the things that have been placed on my heart - and He's blessed them with the means to do it. He blesses us so that we may bless others.


I am completely humbled this morning by witnessing my mom selflessly serving our God and me as I prepare for the next steps of my journey. I pray that we both continue to lean into Him and trust in His holy and perfect way. I pray we always enjoy the journey.