A Thanksgiving Song– Especially for Moms

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I’ve been listening to the song “Planting Trees” several times today just thinking about my parents– my mother in particular– and all those who have poured into me and invested in my life– some for a season, others throughout my life. I’m truly thankful for all of them today!

The story behind this song is that Andrew Peterson was at a retreat with his wife in a breakout group where the question was asked, “How are you shedding light in the darkness in a practical way in your life?” Andrew is a gifted songwriter and novelist, so his answer came easily. I want “…to tell the truth in the most beautiful way that I can think to tell it,” he said. Andrew admitted to worrying about his wife Jamie’s answer. When it became Jamie’s turn, she said, “I’m shedding light in the darkness by raising these three children in the Lord.” Andrew said it helped those in the breakout group to “…realize that the only real work that matters in the world is the love of Christ that you pour into other people…that is the surest defense against the darkness.” Listen to Andrew’s full story behind this song here.

“Planting Trees” lyrics:

We chose the spot
We dug the hole
We laid the maples in the ground
To have and hold

As autumn falls
To winter’s sleep
We pray that somehow in the spring
The roots grow deep

And many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn

He took a plane
To Africa
He gathered up into his arms
An orphan son

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
This tree will spread its branches out
And bless the dawn

So sit down and write that letter
Sign up and join the fight
Sink in to all that matters
Step out into the light

Let go of all that’s passing
Lift up the least of these
Lean into something lasting
Planting trees, hmm, yeah

She rises up
As morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone
Before we wake

And her heart is so full
It overflows
She waters us with love
And the children grow

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn

These trees will spread their branches out
And bless someone

Day 10: Changing Diapers and Sweeping Floors

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” –1 Corinthians 10:31.

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I’ve questioned myself many times as a stay-at-home mom if I’m doing anything that “really matters.” Because changing diapers and sweeping the floor 5,000 times a day doesn’t seem world-changing to me.

But if I was created by God for his glory, then everything that I do matters. Then, everything that I do becomes a means to glorify Him– even changing diapers and sweeping the floor.

John Piper said, “In sharing the truth of Christianity, Truth #1 is that God created us for HIS glory. Truth #2 is that this is, therefore, the duty of every man and woman and child—to live for the glory of God. And the wonderful thing is that this duty is not a burden. It is freedom and joy. You glorify God’s beauty and excellence by loving it and delighting in it. You glorify God’s power by trusting him with all the hard and threatening things in your life. You glorify God’s bounty and generosity and kindness and grace by overflowing with gratitude. And you glorify God’s wisdom by obeying his counsel. And everybody knows that this is no burden. This is no heavy law. This is love.”

So whatever you do this weekend– whether it be a soccer game, a trip to the pumpkin patch, or changing diapers– do it as an act of worship to God. It all matters.