like a nurturing Mother, 1 Thes 2:7

My mom had it tough, and I didn't make it any easier for her. She was hard on me at times, but even that was out of love, and her fear of where I was heading. God made moms and dads to love, yet sometimes they blow it, sometimes terribly - we're broken in sin - family is not what it is supposed to be.

But, even in God's family there should be the love of a mother's care (2:7) and a dad's strength (2:10-11). How have you seen it? What could it look like?

Hey, what are you doing here?!

I want to serve others for Christ, I want to come close, to live out our church mission statement: Reaching through Relationships. But often, there's something in the way... looking a little closer, it looks like me!
In 2:5-6, Paul says he didn't come to them using flattery, hidden agenda, looking for praise or seeking to control. Like it or not, these things are there, they are real in our relating with others.
I do these things because of what I need, or think I need. For instance, in serving you, I will try hard because I hunger for praise, I need to be affirmed. I'm trying to meet my own need--maybe more than serving you? We're all a jumble of mixed motives to be sure, but putting my finger on distracting needs, that I'm trying to fill, is the starting point. Finding those needs met by God in Christ frees me to serve you and glorify God.

your story in 1 Thess 2:1-4

I think Paul is reminding us of some of the reasons people might give up on trying to serve the Lord, being Busy in the Family Business.
Add in an anonymous post today - How have you wrestled with one of these questions, in relation to serving the Lord?

1. Does what I do make any difference? (2:1)
2. Is it worth the trouble? (2:2)
3. What will people think? (2:3)
4. Will God really use me? (2:4)

They are good questions--valid questions--we need to face them and not duck them... and God has real answers.

Busy in the Family Business

In 1 Thess 2:1-4 (posted on the right) Paul seems kinda defensive. It sounds like he already knows the suggestions critics are making against him--he's heard it before.
We've been there before. Maybe You stepped into service and it didn't go the way you expected. Maybe you gave your best but someone assumed the worst. Your not sure you could jump in again, you wonder why you would.
Paul's musings suggest answers to four common questions that relate to our service in Christ's body, the church:

1. Does what I do make any difference? (2:1)
2. Is it worth the trouble? (2:2)
3. What will people think? (2:3)
4. Will God really use me? (2:4)

I'm glad that Paul seems to have wrestled with these questions, and that he anticipates others will too. What help or encouragement is there for us in these four verses, for serving in God's family business?