One of the daily emails I pop open for morning guidance or encouragement is Christine Caine’s First Things First. It’s generally a short Scripture verse or passed followed by a quick paragraph or so from Christine, a prophet, preacher, and slave-freer. I didn’t get to that email until tonight, after spending all day mulling over the word might:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
I simply want to reiterate what King Solomon is saying in this verse — whatever you are doing right now, do it with everything you’ve got.
As I’ve thought about might today, I considered asking Jeff to take a photo of my torso, each of my arms wrapped around a sick, slobbery, feverish girl as we sat in the recliner. It takes all of my 
might to make it through these seasons of sickness. I debated pulling up an old favorite image of my parents, the mightiest folk I know. But for some reason I was drawn to these roots today, so click it’s what I took.
Then reading those two short sentences on my computer screen. I’ve been struggling recently, feeling like I’m not giving my all. That serving my family without a strong role in my church or in a workplace or in my greater community just isn’t enough. And while I do feel continued stirrings that something is on the horizon and new roles will be ushered in, I am reminded that my sick days on the couch with wee ones watching Meet the Robinsons, The Iron Giant, and The Pagemaster (a nice change of pace chosen by my princess-loving daughter!) not just require all of my might but should be honored by my might. While it’s necessary gritty, it’s also a gift. While 4pm always hits like a brick, it’s another 4pm opportunity to empty myself to give love to some uncomfortable people.
So tomorrow, when I’d rather give my might planning a shmancy event, or sipping tea with my spiritual director, or formulating an internship program, or creating a budget, or organizing a Good Friday service, I will put my running thoughts down with my S5, and do this mom-ing, laundry-ing, cook-ing, household-ing thing with everything I’ve got.
What are you doing today? What do you need to let go of to be present with all you’ve got?
Magdalene A.R. Mastin 
Thank you for the reminder that mothering is worthy of doing/being with all my might! It’s easy for me too to desire callings out of the home, when how I live and love in the home is just as important. Thanks for your encouragement, friend!
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