“Let the excellence of your work be your protest.” –Bill Lane

I read this quotation tonight and immediately felt discouraged that my work this week has consisted primarily of caring for my children, felled by strep throat and high fevers.

Discouraged I didn’t have written work I could pour over and make excellent, I walked past the rooms of my sleeping children, and the words hit me—the excellence of my work. These children are the excellence. They are the excellent work of God, who has entrusted them to my care. Today, this is my work.

Today, I triumphantly unloaded the dishwasher, made different dinners for still-sick throats; read some Harry Potter, Fancy Nancy, and On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness to their respective listeners; and, under my son’s persistent tutelage, I finally beat him in the Wii Mario Olympics long jump competition. Twice.

There are so many heartbreaking events I could stand in protest against today, but tonight I stand in protest against the voices that yell, “Do something of value,” ignoring mothering as something of value. Tonight I see that God is doing excellent work in these brilliant young lives, and He’s given me a front-row seat. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.