Our sermon at church this week was on Mark 10:35–45, all about service over self. And it really made me stop and think.

We were made to serve God! That’s our ultimate purpose, not to chase comfort or attention or “me time,” but to live like Jesus did. He came not to be served, but to serve. (Mark 10:44–45)

That goes so against what the world tells us, to look out for ourselves first, to protect our peace, to put our needs above all else. But Jesus flipped that completely. He chose service. Humility. Sacrifice. And not just for the people who loved Him, He served those who rejected and ridiculed Him.

Right now, my days are mostly filled with raising kids. It’s a lot of noise and mess and moments that no one else sees. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. In fact, this season might be one of the most important ones for me to live this out.

Service looks like choosing grace over snapping at a preteen attitude. It looks like staying present when I’d rather check out. It looks like reminding myself that motherhood is my mission field right now, and that being faithful here is no less valuable than serving on a stage or in some faraway place.

Lately I’ve been asking: Am I choosing myself first? Am I choosing grace over snapping? Am I letting God use me right here, even when it’s hard or hidden?

I don’t always get it right. Actually, most days feel real messy. But I’m learning that service doesn’t have to be loud or seen to matter. And Jesus sees it, the quiet “yes” in the middle of the ordinary.

If you’re in a season like this too, the quiet kind, the messy kind, I just want to remind you (and myself): it still matters. He sees it. And He’s honored by every quiet act of service we give in love.