“I feel like I wasted my time”, I said to my mom through tears. We were sitting in her church’s auditorium and the family I lived with in Honduras sat on the stage and shared about their ministry through an interpreter. I had come to church to see them, and I wanted them to meet my son.
I had big dreams for my life in Honduras. I wanted to open an orphanage, teach children who couldn’t afford an education, help women and children stuck in a cycle of prostitution and sex slavery. And, each day, as school would end, I would think “One day, this place will change. One day, the work I do here will matter. One day, I’ll leave a legacy here”.
That day didn’t arrive. I left Honduras in a rush, heartbroken and worried. I felt like a failure. I was embarrassed. I was disappointed in myself and in the situation. I was angry that my “one day” wouldn’t be realized.
Here’s the truth. I did not waste my time.
I firmly believe that every moment spent pushing back darkness is not wasted. The tiny details that seem to go unnoticed, well, those matter.
Those moments are not wasted. The time we spend sharing the love of God, through words or actions will not be wasted. Those moments may seem small to us, but they are the foundation of kingdom work on this earth.
Every moment spent working here to show God’s love is a moment that can change the world. Every kid you help at school, every student you cheer for, every time you pray, every song of worship sung over your children, all of these things, they create the “one days”.
Every time you choose love is a moment spent furthering the kingdom of God, and these moments are not wasted.
Your “One Day” dream may never be seen here on earth. It may never be a huge, life changing trip to Africa to help orphans and start a non-profit. It may never be seen on a stage, or be the big thing we all talk about as so amazing. You may not see the fruit, or get praised for your efforts, but you don’t always see the impact you have.
Remember this, hard worker, your time spent pushing back the darkness of our world, no matter how big or small, is never wasted. Ever.
Work hard, love well, shine bright. These things, no matter how tiny, are the greatest “one days.” And one day, we’ll enter God’s kingdom, He’ll look at us and we’ll see what our work did.
Kacy Davis lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband, Collin. She is a special education teacher and advocate of those with special needs and loves her job. She spends her time riding bikes with her husband, running, reading, and enjoying those she loves. Kacy believes in reinventing what it means to be a woman and wife who loves the Lord and longs to help others learn to love the Lord with abandon, freedom, and a greater understanding of grace. She writes here.
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Thanks for sharing, Kacy. When I was the director of a lay mission program and volunteers would come talking about and believing they were going to make gigantic changes in the lives of people they were sent to serve, I would caution them that the point of going was more about making changes in themselves, about allowing the poverty of others touch their own poverty, of allowing the humanity of others touch their own. I agree that no moment of offering love is wasted; but I would suggest that those moments that show us our vulnerability by allowing others to love us create the biggest and longest-lasting changes.
So true. We have worked in marginalized communities for many years and my husband grew up in South America. The small trips change the one who goes. But this blog says well that every action that challenges complacency matters.
God is using your words for many, never let the enemy steal this from you!
I am so proud to be your mom, I love you
Beautifully written…thank you!
Time spent pushing back the darkness is never wasted. Love this, such a good and timely reminder for me! Thank you.
Beautiful Kacy.
A bow in respect …inspiring beautifully written article.