Heather Cofer

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All for His Glory

4 Jul

Real life is enjoying a yummy cup of coffee at a cute coffee shop. Real life is also the dishes back at home that need to be washed, dried, and tucked away in cabinets and drawers. Life is full of both of these kinds of moments… the ones we post on social media and the ones that no one would really care to see, because they’re not as, well, picturesque.

It’s easy to rejoice in one of these things… it’s not as easy to rejoice in the other. It’s easy to drink a delicious beverage with a singing heart, but not quite as easy when I’m scrubbing crayon marks or changing sheets.

But, isn’t there a call on my life to rejoice as I do both? Doesn’t Scripture say “whether you eat or drink, or *whatever you do,* do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31, emphasis mine)? Do I bring glory to Him when I delight in a latté, but grumble over the God-given tasks of caring for my home and family? Too often I find myself living hypocritically… too often I begrudge the very work that matters for eternity, the opportunities I have to love and serve and give of myself where it matters the most.

This is where Jesus needs to come in and transform my view of those mundane moments of life that feel “less than,” that can make us feel like the best is passing me by. He says that these tasks that are not all that noteworthy to the world are noteworthy to Him. 

I continually need to remind myself that the work of mother and homemaker are roles God places value on (Titus 2:3-5). We live in a world where these roles are devalued. Maybe it’s because they don’t bring in any income. Maybe because they don’t give the opportunity to be in front of an audience. Maybe it’s because there’s no opportunity to climb a corporate ladder. Maybe it’s because caring for children isn’t glamourous (I accidentally spelled it that way, and I’m gonna leave it that way because of my Canadian citizenship ;). Maybe because at the end of the day there’s not much outwardly to show for it. Whatever the reasons, it’s not something the world highlights as the epitome of success. 

This is because it’s work that requires humility. It’s work that shows us how inadequate we are… how much we need someone beyond ourselves to give the joy, the strength, perseverance it takes to do the same things day after day–when the laundry piles up again and the toddler continues to throw tantrums no matter how many times you’ve instructed otherwise. When it’s time for me to slip away to a coffee shop to work on an article, it feels more productive. But the reality is, my writing holds no weight at all if there is no faithfulness behind-the-scenes. If it’s not backed up by obedience to Jesus when no one is watching. The unseen moments matter just as much in light of eternity as the seen ones (Matthew 6:3-4).

Maybe for you it’s not motherhood right now. Maybe it’s something else God has called you to in this season of life. What I’ve come to realize more and more  is that no matter what God’s calling is for us, it takes grace, wisdom, strength, and patience beyond ourselves. We’re called to things that reveal our weakness so that His power can be shown as perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I’m so grateful that Jesus is perfectly faithful—that He convicts and forgives and brings renewed vision for the work He puts before us. He gives joy and patience and strength and grace for another day. And that when we do all for His glory, there is joy in both the treats and the tasks.

Your friend,

Previous Post: « 3 Ways to Get “Un-Stuck” When Your Tasks Feel Overwhelming
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Comments

  1. Ieda says

    July 4, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    Precious! Glory God for your life ?? Thanks you ? sorry my english

    Reply
    • Heather says

      July 4, 2019 at 10:56 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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My middle-little sister, Holly, has spent the past My middle-little sister, Holly, has spent the past 6+ months in our house fam. There’s a 7 year age difference between us, so when I got married she was just entering her teen years. She lived across the world from me for a good part of the next decade, so when she decided to move up our way for a while I was thrilled. Spending hours of up-close, in-person time together has been a precious gift. Having siblings that become some of your dearest friends is, I’m discovering, one of the greatest joys of adulthood.

Now she’s off to the next chapter. I know God’s going to continue to use her to bless others in significant ways, just as she’s blessed us—this servant-hearted, joy-filled sister of mine. I’m so grateful for you, @holly_sprenger.
As I watch the happenings in this world I have an As I watch the happenings in this world I have an ever-increasing ache—a yearning—to be known first and foremost by my allegiance to Jesus Christ.

As I read headlines, hot takes, opinions, debates between fellow believers—praying and seeking to learn and discern—I’m more certain than ever that being a Christian frees us from being defined by or confined to earthly labels in our stances on any given issue. We’re free to champion what God champions, to despise what God despises regardless of how it might be viewed by those around us or what political lines it might cross. We’re free to love those who differ from us, and yes, even free to love those who do us wrong. 

I have strong opinions and thoughts about certain issues—no doubt about it. I disagree with certain thoughts or opinions fellow believers hold. But what I want those brothers and sisters to know about me *first* is that I love them, not how I might disagree with them. Yes, there’s a place to discuss, to sharpen one another, to exhort and encourage, to warn and even to rebuke at times when we see fellow believers straying from Christ. But the world is supposed to know us by our love for each other, not our debates and conflicts. This should temper the “what,” “how,” and “when” of every conversation. 

Some of us are called to stand more publicly against certain evils and injustices than others. We should expect the best of those who aren’t doing or saying exactly what we’re doing or saying (*especially* if we’re defining them by their lack of words on social media. There are faithful Christians who will never say a word about current issues online, but are obeying in word and deed in their in-person spheres). That said, this should *never* be used as an excuse to neglect the actions and words that every Christ-follower must be marked by according to Scripture. And when we find ourselves hesitating to obey any of God’s commands due to another allegiance something needs to change.

Lord, may your people be defined not by causes, but by Christ; not by worldly labels, but by you alone.
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#lookingtoJesus #thegospelchangeseverything #Christcenteredwomanhood
I’ve been thinking about my little fuchsia plant I’ve been thinking about my little fuchsia plant the past few days. I snipped and propagated it from a stunning outdoor hanging plant we had a couple years ago after it scorched in the intense CO sun. After weeks of daily watching I finally saw the roots appear, and replanted it. Fuchsia is special to me, because it’s one of the plants that beautified our windowsills in Mongolia throughout our years there. I love having one in our home.

Recently, though, did a little trimming of this plant. I noticed there were a couple of overly flourishing sprigs; they were so long they were keeping the little plant from filling out. So, as much as I hated to do it, I clipped them off. To my delight, brand new leaves began appearing within days all over the plant.

Why has this been on my mind?  Because it reminded me that sometimes—in order for us to flourish—we need to clip back areas in our lives that are zapping growth. It’s often a painful decision, because they’re usually pastimes or vocations we love. But we know in order to direct time and energy toward our God-given priorities we need to do a little clipping of those gangly offshoots. Although we feel bare for a time, it doesn’t take long for the evidence of growth and life to show itself where it was much needed. 

And guess what? Those clipped offshoots are sitting in a jar in the kitchen, waiting to sprout new roots. They aren’t gone forever, just being prepped to produce life rather than zap it. Sometimes branches do need to be clipped and tossed. Other times they just need to be propagated—waiting for new roots to grow so they can grow and flourish at the right time in the right way.

“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2
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#lookingtoJesus #plants #Christcenteredwomanhood #fuchsia #ponderings #lessonseverywhere
//Well, it’s all an adventure That comes with a //Well, it’s all an adventure
That comes with a breathtaking view
Walking a tightrope
With you//

The incredible @frostedphotographer took some headshots for us, and she said, “Do you want to snap a few together?” Yes, please. 😍😍😍

Forever thankful for the gift of a life adventure with this man.
//Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Su //Summer and winter and
springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their
courses above,
Join with all nature in 
manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness,
mercy, and love//
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#greatisthyfaithfulness #lookingtoJesus #springtime
“Being like Jesus” will never contradict the r “Being like Jesus” will never contradict the rest of Scripture.

Several times as of late I’ve read or heard examples of people using stories of Jesus from the gospels to back up an argument about accepting sin of some kind. They say that if His followers are going to be like Him they need to follow His example—His example by their interpretation, that is.

But the narratives told of Jesus in the Gospels will *never* contradict the specific commands Christ-followers are given in the rest of the New Testament. Jesus never justified a sin we’re commanded to repent of. A sinful attitude never laced His words, no matter how matter-of-fact His rebukes were. Jesus is the Word made flesh. He will never go against His character or commands for His people.

We can be hard-line on sin while being gentle and kind. We can show compassion without compromising truth. We can be loving while holding fast to biblical convictions. We can, and we must.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Changing Him in any way for our own gain—whether that’s for fleshly gratification or out of fear of others—is making a Jesus in our image. This is a Jesus who cannot save. 

But we have a Jesus who *can* save, who needs no re-making. May we, by His grace, be ever-conforming to Him.
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#lookingtoJesus #Christcenteredwomanhood #Christcenteredliving #truth #love #Jesusislife
“Only God Himself fully appreciates the influenc “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” 
-Billy Graham

I know without a doubt this is true of my mom. This side of heaven I’ll have no idea what depths her godly influence and faithfulness has had upon me as a wife, mom, and woman in any sphere. I will never forget her telling us, “I’m so thankful I get to spend my days with you.” To have the assurance we were loved and enjoyed on top of all she did for our physical needs was a priceless gift. And, as I prepared to enter into adulthood she not only mentored me, but invited me into friendship with her. There aren’t words to sum up that kind of honor.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Thank you for being willing to love and follow Jesus in whatever He’s asked of you. There is nothing greater you could’ve given to us. I love you.
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