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| You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 |
While enjoying a lovely meal with two other Christian couples recently, the conversation somehow turned to lunch. Now, I am not sure how or why the discussion took this route but I once it did, I began to have a slow revelation, followed by a lesson to ponder as well!
The home was beautiful, the company divine and the food was fine. The conversation flowed and I felt blessed to be with these friends. Both of the women in my company that night were women I would say are admirable by any standard. I happen to have had the privilege to pray regularly with one of them, who also is a gifted business women, spirit-filled believer and has served as Co-Leader in ministry with me. The other would be described as brilliant and successful. She amazes us with her ability to multi -task both in and out of the home and may I add she could defend the world with one giant leap and a word (is called in to Washington for advice/wisdom in her area of expertise). So as I sit and enjoy their presence, the turn happens and suddenly we are talking lunch.
As in the fact that I make my husband his lunch every day for work.
Now those of you who know me or follow me, know that I am a Rebel Christian Chick and far from the sweet, gentle, domestic bird I am yet to be. Yet, there are a couple of things my husband really does appreciate that I do. One is making his lunch…and this radical behavior caused quite an uprising at that table that evening as the jaws dropped and confessions were spoken. “You make him lunch? How non-traditional!” Is it ironic making a husband’s lunch…ie. serving him is not considered the norm? Now, let me say this- these are Christian women. Both do have careers but also a reverence for God. The chuckle I got was because here I was, Ms. Not Very Traditional Christian Chick, suddenly the most old- fashioned, totally traditional June Cleaver at the table. Ha and hardy ha, God and I chuckled.
Now, let me tell you how this one thing has been the most surprising testimony you could ever imagine. This one very small act of service which was instigated, early in my marriage, by a dear friend who opened her mouth and uttered the same words, over dinner, the first year my hub and I tied the knot. “I make him his lunch every day.” she said. Me still being in a state of shock over the whole submission element of marriage almost fainted dead on. Yet it was early in my marriage. I was daring, reckless and ready to tackle anything to be The Proverbs 31 Woman, I knew God wanted me to be… or at least I was willing to try. I mean really what did I know? If the truth be known I wanted to choke her right then and there. But I refrained, because that’s what friends do. Besides…despite my fleshly resistance I really did want to be a good wife. Somewhere very deep inside. Sigh.
So there I was inducted into a world of lunch making women.
A dying breed, bordering on extinction apparently.
At first I did it a bit reluctantly. Then I began to get my groove. Soon, this one little act of service was the talk of the lunchroom where my husband works.
Daily, his employees and co-workers longingly check in.
“What did your wife pack you today?”
“Your wife packs you lunch every day?”
Day in and day out, he is the focus of attention, object of jealousy,
admiring comments and endless curiosity.
God began to teach this Chick over time,
that He can indeed use the smallest act of service to bring glory to Himself.
He surprised me, by showing me that He is indeed working in me.
And that my friends is very good news!
All because of a lunchbox.
“For who has despised the day of small things?
But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel– these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.”
Zechariah 4:10
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
19 responses to “The Lesson of The Lunchbox”
I love this Dawn! It is a really significant and intimate act. So kind. Love it!
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Really like this.
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Beautiful! Isn't it amazing how God uses the least acts of serving to reflect His glory in our lives?And just think…every time you make your husband's lunch, Jesus accepts it as you making His lunch…You have the honor of packing a lunch for Jesus, every day!How cool is that?
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You are serving your husband in love, and what a model you are showing for others. Us rebel chicks need to stick together, and if it takes lunch making then so be it! 🙂 Great post my dear!
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You know, I know this. I used to do it every day, too. Then I got a job and I stopped…and little bits of resentment have found ways of popping up in it's absence….a habit of keeping score. Convicted.
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GReat testimony. The ways in which a husband and wife serve each other should be jaw-dropping. It is in laying aside our own selfish desires that love is really expressed and that it speaks the loudest. Thank you fro sharing.
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Aw. Every now and then my hubby packs me a lunch (we are a flip-flop family) and it blesses me so much. Way to support!
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Do you ever pack little “love notes” in with his lunch? If not, try it and see what happens. That is one of the sweetest ways to remind your hubby that you are thinking of him and sending him your love during his busy, stressful day at work. Maybe even a little prayer for him that his day is going well…I guarantee it will bring some pleasant results. Maybe even a love note back to you in YOUR lunch box, or on your pillow,or some other special place just between the two of you…Try it!
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Awesome story, Dawn! I'm still laughing at the lunch you send with hubby being a “focus of attention, object of jealousy”. It is SO cool that you do that! Especially since you're a rebel Christian chick. There is hope for me after all…
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You do it out of love — the sweetest gift ever. 🙂
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I absolutely LOVE your “lunchbox lesson.” And wish now that my man took his lunch to work, too. I still have sweet memories of my mom packing my dad's lunch early each morning and writing a love note every day on his napkin 🙂 So fun to meet you today thru Ann. I'll be back!
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How lovely! I've talked about making lunch for my fiance – he rarely has time to make lunch before going to work, and usually ends up buying something out. I think you've just inspired me to make a real effort at making his lunch for him regularly; I know already how much it would mean to him, and I'm really without excuse for not making it!Thanks for sharing this simple – yet inspiring – story!
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This is an act of love. Well done!
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Hi Dawn – loved the post. It is amazing how one small thing can be a witness to many and a testimony at the table 🙂 Love your sense of humour 🙂 Thank you too for linking up. Yes, any post. My focus is to encourage and if your post is encouraging (and it is) then it belongs there 🙂 I am also happy you read my lollipop post and I love the scripture you mentioned. I'm going to write it out now as doing so always makes it stick a little more in the brain. God blessTracy
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I enyoyed reading your post. I am much older, but even when I worked I always made lunch for my hubby. Now, even though I don't leave in the morning, I get up and send himm off with lunch and a kiss. Keep on blessing that man, I've been married over 40 years and it nevver gets old. Blessings, Debbie
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When my husband passed on after we'd been married 28 years, I was comforted to remember that I'd done little things like iron his clothes. You won't regret serving for love.
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I too pack my husband's lunch every day. Thanks for giving new insight into that!
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Thats great! My husband doesn't like me packing his lunch. Why? He hates leftovers. 😦 Ugh. I end eating them. But I do love that your husband is the envy of the lunch room. That is cool. If I were you'd pack little love notes in with his lunch. Something to really embarrass him in front of his buddies. 😉 LOL
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This was beautiful! Yes we are called to serve others and our husband being the most important person we serve.
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